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It seems China is trying to underplay a series of shocking videos that show the truth behind the country’s electric vehicle (EV) boom.

Once hailed as the world’s electric car powerhouse, China is now grappling with an unexpected problem – an excess of unwanted battery-powered vehicles.

The country’s rapid surge in EV adoption has been fuelled by generous state subsidies, but perhaps more research should have gone into the reality of adapting to EV usage on this scale.

A recent economic slowdown and the collapse of numerous ride-hailing companies over the last couple of years has meant that the China is left with a surplus of electric vehicles that no-one wants to buy.

The result? EV graveyards. Thousands of cars with as little as 30km on the mileage clock are being left ‘to rot’ in lots the size of rugby fields. It’s the car version of China’s abandoned mansions and adds to the overall spooky element of many areas of the country, as little as the government wants to admit.

Travelling vlogger @serpentza, who prides himself in being “The Original Chinese Vlogger” has taken the time to visit these derelict spaces where electric vehicles as new as two years old are put out of commission:

The vlogger added in a comment that, through his interactions with locals and exploring hush-hush spaces like these, he believes the Chinese government should be ‘exposed’.

“This needs more attention, these are EV’s not Gas cars (see below) China keeps telling lies and no one ever calls them out, everyone just goes with it and keeps investing!”

The situation is strikingly different from that in South Africa, where the adoption of electric vehicles remains sluggish compared to global trends. Our economic situation, including unpredictable levels of load shedding across South Africa, means that this issue China is facing is far from our own imaginaries, making the footage all the more eerie.

Perhaps if the Chinese government are brave enough to admit to the embarrassing results of highly-funded EV schemes, then these abandoned eco-friendly motors could find new homes – in places where they can actually see the light of day on the roads.

[source:news24]