To thoroughly implement the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China and General Secretary Xi Jinping’s series of important instructions on Sichuan’s work, and to carry out the decisions and arrangements made at all plenary sessions of the 12th Provincial Party Committee, the following policy measures are formulated to accelerate the transformation and upgrading of the province’s automotive industry toward high-quality development in the fields of new energy and intelligent connected vehicles.

I. Support cities (prefectures) in intensifying efforts to attract and foster key projects in new energy and intelligent connected vehicles. Guide vehicle manufacturers to establish R&D, sales, and settlement centers in Sichuan and ensure their substantive operation. For major industrial projects that meet the criteria, the provincial government will provide financial support to the city (prefecture) where the project is located, to be used in a coordinated manner to support industrial development.[Responsible Units: Department of Economy and Information Technology, Department of Finance, Provincial Bureau of Economic Cooperation, and People’s Governments of all cities (prefectures). The department listed before the comma is the lead agency; the same applies below.]

II. Promote comprehensive intelligent upgrading and digital transformation across all industrial enterprises above designated size in the new energy and intelligent connected vehicle sector. The provincial government will provide subsidies to relevant cities (prefectures) to support the industry’s “intelligent upgrading and digital transformation,” and will also support supporting projects such as newly approved industrial internet platforms, digital flagship enterprises, smart manufacturing demonstration factories, and exemplary application scenarios. Encourage the research, development, and introduction of new energy vehicle models and key core components; provide matching support for projects that have received national funding.(Responsible Units: Department of Economy and Information Technology, Department of Finance)

III. Support the expansion of new energy vehicle (including hydrogen fuel cell vehicles; hereinafter the same) production. At the beginning of each year, each city (prefecture) shall report its annual new energy vehicle production target to the Department of Economy and Information Technology; cities (prefectures) that meet their targets will be rewarded. [Responsible Units: Department of Economy and Information Technology, Department of Finance, People’s Governments of all cities (prefectures)]

IV. Support key component enterprises—including those specializing in electric motors and controls, sensors, intelligent connectivity, power batteries, and fuel cells—to enhance their supply capabilities and competitiveness. Implement relevant support policies for enterprises newly recognized as National Manufacturing Single-Champion Enterprises and Specialized, Refined, Unique, and Innovative “Little Giant” Enterprises. (Responsible Units: Department of Economy and Information Technology, Department of Finance)

V. Promote the cluster-based development of the industry. For new energy and intelligent connected vehicle industrial clusters included in the national cultivation plan and provincial-level key advanced manufacturing clusters, provide financial support to the cities (prefectures) where the clusters are located, with funds earmarked specifically for cluster development. [Responsible Units: Department of Economy and Information Technology, Department of Finance, and People’s Governments of all cities (prefectures)]

VI. Support technological breakthroughs in the fields of new energy and intelligent connected vehicles, including complete vehicles and key components. Projects included in the Key Industrial Infrastructure R&D Program will receive support in accordance with relevant standards. Implement post-expenditure subsidies for corporate R&D investments to encourage key enterprises to increase their R&D spending. Support the submission of major scientific and technological achievements in the new energy and intelligent connected vehicle sectors for the “Juyuan Xingchuan” Action Plan, and provide support to eligible projects.Encourage relevant entities to actively participate in the formulation and revision of standards related to battery swapping, intelligent connectivity, hydrogen energy, and fuel cell vehicles. Provide incentives to entities that take the lead in establishing international, national, and industry standards. (Responsible Units: Department of Economy and Information Technology, Department of Science and Technology, Provincial Market Regulation Bureau, Department of Finance)

VII. Encourage the Cultivation and Expansion of Strategic Emerging Industries and the Proactive Development of Future Industries. Support applications for the national “Vehicle-Road-Cloud Integration” application pilot for intelligent connected vehicles. In areas such as public transportation, construction site and mining operations, vehicle-road coordination, and green energy supply, create a series of benchmark scenarios for open-road testing and commercial operation of intelligent connected vehicles, battery swapping models, and multi-scenario applications of hydrogen energy. Provide support to relevant cities (prefectures) through a “one-scenario-one-policy” approach.Municipalities (prefectures) may refer to these guidelines to formulate supporting policies. [Responsible Units: Department of Economy and Information Technology, Department of Public Security, Department of Finance, Department of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, Department of Transportation, Provincial Market Regulation Bureau, Provincial Bureau of Public Affairs Administration, Sichuan Postal Administration, Provincial Airport Group, and People’s Governments of all municipalities (prefectures)]

VIII. Further Strengthen the Demonstration and Application of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles. Support the exploration of pilot projects for integrated hydrogen production and refueling stations outside chemical industrial parks. Encourage vehicle manufacturers and enterprises involved in hydrogen energy and fuel cells to actively participate in hydrogen and fuel cell vehicle demonstration projects. Provide support to cities (prefectures) conducting such demonstrations in accordance with current national incentive standards.Municipal (prefectural) governments may formulate supporting policies accordingly. [Responsible Units: Department of Economy and Information Technology, Department of Finance, Department of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, Department of Emergency Management, and municipal (prefectural) people’s governments]

IX. Accelerate the Promotion and Application of New Energy Vehicles. Thoroughly implement the “Electric Sichuan” Action Plan, carry out the comprehensive electrification of public sector vehicles across the province, and vigorously promote the transition to new energy for medium- and heavy-duty commercial vehicles. Administrative agencies and state-owned enterprises and institutions at all levels shall procure new energy vehicles whenever possible for new purchases and fleet replacements. Support cities (prefectures) in developing a circular economy, including the remanufacturing and reuse of new energy vehicles and the secondary use of power batteries.Encourage financial institutions, including banks, financial leasing companies, and insurance firms, to develop financial products and services specifically tailored for new energy vehicles to reduce costs associated with purchase and operation. [Responsible Units: Provincial Development and Reform Commission, Department of Economy and Information Technology, Provincial Party Committee Financial Affairs Office, Department of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, Department of Transportation, Department of Commerce, Provincial State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission, Provincial Bureau of Public Affairs Management, People’s Bank of China Sichuan Branch, Sichuan Regulatory Bureau of the National Financial Regulatory Administration, state-owned enterprises at all levels, and municipal (prefectural) people’s governments]

X. Implement regulations throughout the province exempting new energy vehicles from license plate number-based traffic restrictions. Trucks bearing license plates for pure electric or hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (excluding hazardous materials transport vehicles) shall be exempt from or subject to fewer traffic restrictions when traveling on urban roads. Municipalities (prefectures) are encouraged to establish low-carbon transportation demonstration zones tailored to local conditions. [Responsible Units: Department of Public Security, Department of Transportation, and People’s Governments of all municipalities (prefectures)]

XI. Further accelerate the construction of charging and battery-swapping infrastructure. Expedite the construction of fast (and ultra-fast) charging and battery-swapping facilities along intercity highways, install charging infrastructure in public parking lots, and promote the transformation of gasoline and natural gas stations into integrated energy stations. Improve the level of charging infrastructure in rural areas based on local conditions, achieving “full coverage of charging stations in every county and full coverage of charging piles in every township” in regions suitable for new energy vehicles.Strictly enforce requirements for the provision of charging infrastructure in residential communities. Encourage charging operators and other entities to accept commissions from property owners to implement “unified construction and service” for public charging infrastructure in residential areas, providing integrated services including construction, operation, and maintenance. [Responsible Units: Department of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, Department of Transportation, Provincial Energy Bureau, State Grid Sichuan Electric Power, and People’s Governments of all cities (prefectures)]

XII. Support the export of complete vehicles and key components. Support enterprises manufacturing complete vehicles and key components in researching, developing, and producing products suitable for international markets, improve international marketing and service systems, and continue to organize the “Sichuan Complete Vehicle Trade Global Tour” series of activities. Encourage enterprises to fully utilize the policy of the “Going Global” foreign-related risk pooling platform to mitigate foreign trade risks. [Responsible Units: Department of Commerce, Department of Economy and Information Technology, Department of Finance, and People’s Governments of all cities (prefectures)]

XIII. Strengthen Financial Support. Encourage eligible cities (prefectures) to establish investment funds for the new energy and intelligent connected vehicle industries through market-oriented approaches, based on local conditions, to guide social capital in supporting industrial development. Support the listing of vehicle and component manufacturers; prioritize the inclusion of eligible enterprises in the provincial reserve pool for listing candidates; accelerate the transformation of enterprises into joint-stock companies; and support listed companies in integrating upstream and downstream industrial chain resources through refinancing, mergers, and acquisitions.Optimize risk-sharing financing policies such as the “Park Guarantee Loan,” “Manufacturing Benefit Loan,” and “Service Guarantee Loan” to address the difficulties SMEs face in obtaining loans. [Responsible Units: Department of Finance; Provincial Party Committee Financial Affairs Office; Department of Economy and Information Technology; People’s Bank of China Sichuan Branch; Sichuan Securities Regulatory Bureau; People’s Governments of all cities (prefectures)]

These policy measures shall take effect on March 6, 2024, and remain valid for four years. The relevant responsible units shall be in charge of interpreting and promoting the implementation of each specific policy measure. Individual enterprises may apply for no more than two of the aforementioned funding policy measures per year. If national policies or other factors change during the implementation period, our province will adjust the relevant provisions in a timely manner. Where national policies provide otherwise, such provisions shall prevail.