Tesla plant powers Shanghai's green export surge

by FANG Zhuoran

Shanghai's drive to upgrade its export structure is gaining momentum, led by Tesla's new energy-storage plant and rising global demand for China's electric vehicles, batteries and solar products.

Exports of the country's so-called "new trio" — EVs, lithium batteries and solar panels — rose 6.3% year on year to 112.2 billion yuan (about US$15.8 billion) in the first nine months, according to the Shanghai Municipal Statistics Bureau. The city's total exports increased 11.3%, marking steady growth through all three quarters.

At Tesla's Gigafactory for energy storage in Lingang, automated lines have been running around the clock since operations began in February. The facility, Tesla's first energy-storage factory outside the U.S., is becoming a major export hub for its global Megapack systems. Its ramp-up has helped lift Shanghai's lithium-battery exports 20.7% to 32.15 billion yuan this year.

Tesla's expansion underscores how multinational manufacturers are using Shanghai as a base to scale clean-energy technology globally, reinforcing the city's role as a center for advanced manufacturing and green trade.

Local automakers are also contributing to the momentum. SAIC Motor boosted hybrid-vehicle exports 210% to 19.6 billion yuan, while other Chinese brands are stepping up overseas sales of electric models.

At Haitong International Automotive Terminal in Waigaoqiao — one of China's largest vehicle-export terminals — ships bound for more than 100 countries now carry about 4,000 vehicles a day. Customs officials said digitalized operations and smarter logistics have made exports "faster, cheaper and more self-reliant."

Exporters are also turning to river–sea shipping routes that connect inland ports with Shanghai's deep-water terminals, saving about 1,500 yuan per vehicle while reducing damage risks. Meanwhile, Chinese automakers are investing in their own roll-on/roll-off fleets to handle the export surge.

Green shipping is emerging as another growth area. Exports of liquid-cargo vessels reached 20.6 billion yuan in the first nine months, up 82.7% from a year earlier. Together, energy-storage systems, hybrid vehicles and low-emission ships added 15.99 billion yuan in new export growth.

Shanghai Port — already the world's busiest — handled more than 41 million TEUs between January and September, official data show. On September 19, daily container throughput hit a record 172,300 TEUs, highlighting the port's central role in China's maritime trade network.

Economists say the rebound reflects China's shift from volume to value in manufacturing. As Tesla's batteries, SAIC's hybrids and locally built green vessels head overseas, Shanghai is consolidating its position as a global hub for clean-energy exports.