As a highlight of the fourth Consumer Products Expo, the inaugural Hainan 2024 New Energy Vehicle (NEV) Public Testing Island Rally which started on Friday, served as a good opportunity for Hainan to promote the NEV industry.
The test rally started from the southernmost tourist stop on Hainan’s Ring Road, the “Yingge Surfing Station”. Covering approximately 600 kilometers, the route travels through a multitude of cities including Sanya and Wanning, and concludes in Haikou, capital city of the province.
The race’s S-shaped path across Hainan connects its famed cities and cultural landmarks, showcasing the island’s beauty and local customs while testing electric vehicles’ range and smart driving capabilities under various road conditions. What are put to test are some of the household names, such as Xiaomi, Xiaopeng and NIO. They’re all here for people to check out and get behind the wheel.
The event, mainly held for social media influencers, gives consumers a glimpse of what NEVs can do on the road. It is also a good chance for Hainan to showcase the island.
“This is the first time that we’re holding a mass testing of NEVs in the form of a rally that goes around the island. We’ve brought in around 20 different vehicles, paired them with professional drivers we found on social media. We hope that through this activity, we can show the ecological concept of Hainan,” said Yang Shanhua, deputy director of theHainan International Economic Development Bureau.
To support low-carbon travel and enhance service provisions, 73 rapid charging stations have been installed along the ring road. It is part of the island province’s plan to go green.
“This rally shows Hainan’s determination to build a near zero carbon demonstration zone and its concept of developing new energy sources. I think China is not only a huge market for new energy vehicles, but also has unlimited potential for the development of technology, intelligence and other aspects of new energy vehicles,” said the deputy director.
With China’s domestic NEV market becoming a global leader, the next mission for Chinese EV makers is to go on the international stage.
The fourth China International Consumer Products Expo, which started on Saturday and is expected to conclude next Thursday, has attracted over 3,000 brands from 59 countries and regions. The event is now set to be an annual highlight in Hainan every April.