The global new energy vehicle industry still needs to further strengthen cooperation to address challenges ahead as it enjoys booming growth, a Chinese official said at the 2024 World New Energy Vehicle Congress (WNEVC) that kicked off in Haikou on Friday.
Themed "Low Carbon Evolution and Global Cooperation," the three-day event aims to promote the sustainable and healthy development of new energy vehicles, strengthen global cooperation to jointly achieve the goal of carbon neutrality.
According to the latest data, the global new energy vehicle industry sees booming growth as over 10 million new energy vehicles (NEVs) have been sold in the past eight months. The ratio of sales of new cars has reached 18 percent, up about 3 percent year on year. In China, over 7 million NEVs were sold during the past eight months, up 30.9 percent compared to the same period last year.
However, challenges that cannot be ignored still exist.
To deal with these, countries in the world should enhance practical cooperation in many fields, according to Xin Guobin, vice minister of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.
Countries should play their roles well in promoting technological innovation cooperation to achieve breakthroughs in core technologies, Xin said during the WNEVC.
They should also strengthen political and legal cooperation and be committed to globalization, he said.
"We need to deepen industrial and supply chain cooperation to jointly build global industrial and supply chains that are safe, stable, open, inclusive and mutually beneficial," Xin added.
Global NEV industry needs enhanced cooperation to address challenges ahead: vice minister
Residents in Keaton Beach in Florida returned to a haunting void after Hurricane Helene rampaged the coastal U.S. community, reducing homes to rubbles.
Keaton Beach, nestled in Florida's Big Bend region, has suffered the wrath of the hurricane, which left at least 40 people killed and dozens of homes disappeared.
The category four storm reduced many houses to mere foundations, including the cherished two-story blue and white house where Ashlyn Pitts, a resident, shared precious memories with her grandmother.
"This was where our home was. This was where we lived full-time. It was a big two-story blue and white house," said Pitts.
"It's very devastating. We all grew up down here. My grandpa passed away, and all the memories we have are down here, and it's just so sad," said Mekailyn Schell, another resident.
Glenda Padgett, another resident, rebuilt her family home after Hurricane Hermine struck in 2016, only to face loss again.
"This one just took it. There's nothing left of it. I see my bed that I wish I had taken with me, a 2,000-dollar bed for my back. Honestly, there's just nothing here. I don't even know where to start. I've got my grandchildren living with me, and everything they had was here, and everything I had was here," said Padgett.
With her home gone, Glenda also lost her livelihood and the means to support her three grandchildren. The structure had two apartments downstairs that she would rent to local fishermen.
With her livelihood shattered and no insurance coverage to aid in rebuilding, Glenda faces an uncertain future.
"I love Keaton. I love it. I have no insurance. I couldn't afford it. I don't know what I'm going to do. I can't rebuild. I don't have the money. Maybe I can clean this up and put in a camper, but I don't know. I haven't really thought about it. I never thought this would happen," said Padgett.
"It's gone. Right down there on the left. Well, it was, but now it's just gone, with a lot of others," said Shannon Millinor, a resident.
As the community grapples with the harsh reality of their losses, the lack of insurance coverage exacerbates the crisis. As Millinor noted, residents with flood insurance may expect their insurance providers to try to withhold payouts for hurricane-induced damage.
"I don't know (if we'll rebuild). I don't know if we have the funds to do it. It depends on how the insurance works out," he said.
It was a grim day for the residents of Keaton Beach. They anticipated some damage but never imagined losing everything.
Hurricane Helene devastates US coastal community with homes vanished
