Tesla to launch NEV innovation center in Hainan Free Trade Zone

Shanghai (Gasgoo)- Tesla is ready to set up a new energy vehicle innovation center in Hainan, China's southernmost province and deploy its superchargers around the island province, one of 46 key investment projects signed by Hainan Free Trade Port (Hainan FTP) on October 13.

Under the NEV innovation center project, Tesla will carry out the R&D of the technologies related to EV batteries and energy storage facilities, according to the Committee for Deepening Overall Reform of Hainan Provincial Party Committee. Hainan is expected to be one of key regions where Tesla deploys its global NEV R&D system.

Xu Yao, a sales manager of Tesla's Hainan market, said the company will strengthen its construction of self-run charging network in Hainan and perfect the supercharger deployment of the east, middle and south routes around the island.

Besides, Tesla plans to reinforce the building of the sales and after-sale service networks in the province, in order to offer a completely direct-sale integrated service.

According to a notice released by Hainan Provincial Transport Department in April, the buses, taxis and cars for ride-hailing services newly deployed or replaced in 2020 should all be powered by clean energy.

Of those, the so-called NEVs (referring to BEVs, PHEVs, REEVs and FCEVs in China) should account for no less than 90% of buses and for 100% as to vehicles of hourly car rental service. The share of clean energy vehicles should be at least 20% for urban-rural passenger buses and tourist buses.

Hainan will ban the sale of gasoline-fueled automobiles by 2030, in a bid to safeguard its environment and develop a modern economy, the provincial government said in March 2019.

On the same day, Hainan FTP held a signing ceremony for 46 key projects settled in Hainan, involving a total investment of more than 17 billion yuan ($2,525,514,900). There are nine foreign-invested projects and 37 domestic-funded projects singed this time.

Shen Xiaoming, Governor of Hainan Province, said the collective contract signing demonstrates Hainan’s current achievements made in the construction of the Free Trade Port. He hopes investors to give more attention to the development of Hainan FTP, and the government will offer them all-round service supports.