Chery Automobile, China’s largest car exporter by deliveries, expects its overseas sales of electric vehicles (EVs) to jump as much as 27 per cent this year, as a global energy crisis spurs demand for battery-powered vehicles.

Zhang Guibing, the president of Chery International, said on Wednesday that pure electric and plug-in hybrid models were projected to represent as much as 70 per cent of the carmaker’s total deliveries outside the mainland in 2026. That would equate to roughly 1.05 million units, up from 827,000 EVs in 2025.

“Our sales of new-energy vehicles abroad are growing fast,” Zhang said during a media briefing. He noted that the segment would account for 65 to 70 per cent of all overseas sales. “The pace of growth proves to be very impressive.”

The state-owned carmaker, based in Wuhu, Anhui province, is aiming for total annual sales abroad of 1.5 million units, which would be a year-on-year jump of 12 per cent.

Chery has held the title of China’s largest vehicle exporter for 23 consecutive years. It traditionally built its reputation on competitively priced petroleum-powered vehicles – from compact sedans to off-road-capable SUVs – that caught the attention of drivers in markets such as the Middle East, Africa and South America over the past two decades.

However, the auto giant has spent recent years pivoting towards electric mobility, taking advantage of China’s complete supply chain and a general willingness among drivers to embrace new technologies.