Under existing policies regarding automobile manufacture credentials, market players such as recharge and replacement station operators and battery manufacturers can, despite having no credential to make automobiles, work in conjunction with entities, including universities and research organizations, with access to electric car assembling technologies

In their efforts to expand the market, station operators have relied on the resource advantages relating to electric power, land and finances. However, they are still subjected to restrictions imposed upon them by virtue of their lack of the certificate to make cars.

Under China’s state policies regarding automobile manufacture credentials, only cars made by a very small number of electric car makers are deemed mass market-ready. Most car-makers and foreign companies are unable to enter the fray. The connection between assembly plants and battery recharge and replacement stations lies in the fuel cell. Before the government sets a universal standard on the types of fuel cell to be used by these stations, the assembly plants have the right to decide the types and the model of fuel cells to be needed, and the battery recharge and replacement stations must comply with the assembly plants’ fuel cell requirements. Therefore, battery recharge and replacements station operators have been thinking of ways to have a greater say in the matter and to end their subordination to assembly plants. To that end, operators of battery recharge stations have reached out downward to form alliance with battery makers, and upward to secure land for building recharge stations, and have even gone so far as to purchase cars themselves so as to become consumers of their own batteries. Currently, battery recharge station operators are working tirelessly to gain the support of the government and in cooperation, starting at the operational level, with the public transportation system. The purpose is to apply top-down pressure upon assembly plants, thereby increasing the influence of battery stations on the fuel cell.

Are there still more ways to secure a louder voice in the matter? We believe that under existing policies regarding automobile manufacture credentials, market players such as recharge and replacement station operators and battery manufacturers can, despite having no credential to make automobiles, work in conjunction with entities, including universities and research organizations, with access to electric car assembling technologies. In doing so, battery station operators can enhance their competitive edge, and shift the market landscape in their favor.