Who’s winning the EV race?

Who’s winning the EV race?

From Asia Specific by BBC World Service

April 17, 2026 · 21 min

About this episode

The episode discusses the impact of high energy prices on the shift to electric vehicles in Asia, focusing on the competition between Chinese and other manufacturers.

Are high energy prices prompting a shift to electric vehicles in Asia? In China, more than half of all new cars sold are now electric vehicles or plug-in hybrids. But across the rest of Asia, the shift is much slower, in part due to a lack of charging infrastructure. Will high oil prices due to the Iran conflict be the catalyst to change that? Chinese carmakers are rapidly expanding into Southeast Asia, setting up factories, and challenging long-established Japanese and Korean manufacturers. But a rush in South East Asia to attract Chinese investment and technology is being offset by growing concerns that cheaper Chinese models are flooding markets. Even US giant Tesla is hugely reliant on China for its business. So can carmakers compete with China’s EV manufacturing might? On this episode of Asia Specific, host Mariko Oi is joined by Hannah Miao, China economy reporter at the Wall Street Journal, and Theo Leggett, the BBC’s Transport Correspondent, to unpack the global EV race. Asia Pacific, unpacked by those who know it best. Bringing you essential insights and conversations on the stories shaping the region - an economic powerhouse, geo-political flashpoint and the birthplace…

People in this episode

Host: Mariko Oi

Guests: Hannah Miao, Theo Leggett

Topics covered

  • electric vehicles
  • China
  • Southeast Asia
  • automotive industry
  • energy prices
  • global competition

Keywords

  • electric vehicles
  • China
  • Southeast Asia
  • energy prices
  • automotive industry
  • Tesla
  • charging infrastructure
  • oil prices
  • investment

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Wall Street Journal, BBC

Places: China, Southeast Asia, Asia, US, Iran

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