BYD, Geely, and Great Wall Motor Clash in High-Stakes EV War as Emission Allegations Roil China Auto Market

China’s Electric Vehicle Giants at War: BYD Fights Back as Emissions Allegations Threaten Market Stability in 2025

China’s leading EV makers lock horns over emissions, price wars, and industry credibility as regulators step in. What’s next for the global EV race?

China’s electric vehicle (EV) industry is teetering on the edge of a new era—and chaos. The fiercest price war in the sector’s short history just exploded into a public feud, as emissions allegations pit top manufacturers against each other and threaten to shake consumer trust in the world’s largest EV market.

The stage was set back in 2023, when Great Wall Motor fired the first shot by reporting BYD’s popular hybrid models to regulators. The accusation: BYD’s Qin Plus and Song Plus plug-in hybrids were allegedly skirting emissions standards, thanks to their non-pressurised fuel tanks that reportedly evaporate fuel more rapidly.

While BYD has consistently defended its compliance record—insisting its vehicles met the rules at the time—the controversy never fully disappeared. Tensions reignited last month when Great Wall’s outspoken chairman, Wei Jianjun, lambasted not just BYD’s aggressive price cuts but the very health of the EV industry. BYD dismissed the dire warnings as “alarmist,” but refused to address the emissions matter directly.

Everything changed when Geely, another heavyweight in the electric arena, joined the fray. Standing before a packed auto conference in Chongqing, Geely’s vice president, Victor Yang, sided with Great Wall’s claims, revealing his company’s own tests reached similar results. Declaring Wei Jianjun the “industry’s whistleblower,” Yang’s speech, shared widely on Chinese media, sparked a new round of scrutiny.

What’s Fueling the BYD Emissions Dispute?

The controversy centers on BYD’s use of non-pressurised fuel tanks in vehicles from 2021 to 2023. Unlike pressurised tanks, these allow more fuel to evaporate, raising questions about pollutants and regulatory loopholes.

BYD’s Li Yunfei initially defended the company’s tech and timeline, noting that customer feedback prompted changes in later models. However, his supporting social media post mysteriously vanished, adding intrigue—and confusion—to an already charged atmosphere.

How Are China’s Regulators Responding?

As the quarrel grabbed headlines, China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) stepped in, urging automakers to cease destructive price wars that could destabilize the sector. So far, regulators remain tight-lipped on the emissions probe, but MIIT’s intervention underscores the stakes as 2025 approaches.

Will Price Wars Hurt or Help EV Buyers?

BYD’s latest price drop, slashing its cheapest model to just $7,771, set off a chain reaction of discounts, triggering a sell-off in auto stocks and a rush for deals. But as dealer frustration mounts over swelling inventories, industry leaders warn of a looming shakeout.

Learn more about the global EV landscape at Reuters, or for official guidance on emissions and compliance, visit the MIIT website.

What’s Next for China’s EV Titans?

With investigations ongoing and reputations on the line, BYD, Great Wall Motor, and Geely now face an uncertain road ahead. As global demand for EVs skyrockets and automakers push aggressively into new markets, China’s internal strife may shape the worldwide narrative.

For up-to-date coverage of tech and auto news, check out CNBC and Bloomberg.

Stay tuned as China’s EV giants battle for dominance—and the future of clean mobility hangs in the balance.

EV War 2025: What To Watch Next

• Monitor official MIIT updates on emissions and industry regulation.
• Check the latest BYD, Geely, and Great Wall product announcements for tech changes.
• Compare new EV prices and incentives before making a purchase.
• Stay alert to market shakeups as regulators crack down on pricing strategies.

References

• www.cnbc.com