China has sent a strong signal that it is ready to end years of heavy subsidies for its electric vehicle sector, after generous government support fueled a rapid boom that has now led to severe overcapacity and an aggressive push into global markets.

For the first time in over a decade, top policymakers have left electric vehicles off the list of strategic industries in the country’s newly unveiled five-year development plan for 2026–2030.

Analysts say the omission indicates that Beijing now views the EV industry as mature and capable of standing on its own, shifting its development toward market-driven competition rather than state-backed funding.