At Changan Automobile's factory, workers inspect new-energy vehicle components on the production line. (Photo/Wang Jiaxi)

Chongqing - China’s new energy vehicle (NEV) industry is facing a projected talent gap of 1.03 million by 2025, according to forecasts from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and other departments. Chongqing’s Liangjiang New Area, a key NEV hub, is seeing similar shortages, particularly in electrification and intelligent vehicle technologies.

The shortage stems from two main factors: industry scale and technological evolution. From a scale perspective, the National Development and Reform Commission reported that the number of NEVs in China grew, from 4.92 million in 2020 to 31.4 million by 2024, marking a five-fold increase. This explosive growth has led to a demand for skilled workers to support the burgeoning sector.

On the technological front, the shift toward electrification and intelligence has created a need for talent that extends beyond traditional mechanical engineering. The growing focus on new interdisciplinary fields has exacerbated the talent shortage, particularly in areas such as automotive software, smart cockpits, and electric three-wheelers.

The repair and maintenance aspect of the NEV industry also highlights the talent gap. Zheng Hongyi, Chairman of the Vocational and Technical Committee of China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, shared during the 2025 China Auto Forum that 65% of NEV faults are related to electric control systems. Yet, only 12% of the country’s 4 million automotive repair workers have received training in these areas.

About 60% of traditional automotive repair professionals cannot independently handle NEV-related issues, and the shortage of technicians certified in both high-voltage electrical work and three-electric system repairs remains at about 85%.

Chongqing, a core base of China’s automotive industry, is not exempt from these challenges. The city has become home to 19 vehicle manufacturers, including major players such as Changan Automobile and Seres, as well as more than 1,200 parts suppliers, creating a comprehensive supply chain for NEVs. By the end of 2024, Chongqing's NEV talent pool is expected to reach 600,000, with nearly two-thirds of that talent concentrated in Liangjiang New Area. The region also boasts approximately 250,000 core technical specialists in the sector.

Despite these efforts, the NEV talent shortage in Liangjiang New Area remains pressing. According to a local official, the area is expected to face a shortfall of about 30,000 skilled professionals by 2025. To meet the evolving demands of the NEV industry, the talent pool is shifting focus toward advanced areas such as software development, smart cockpit systems, and the three-electric systems essential for NEVs.

To address the talent gap, Liangjiang New Area plans to enhance recruitment through two primary channels: university recruitment and social recruitment. University recruitment will target top universities in Beijing, Sichuan, and other regions, focusing on fields like automation, computer science, and artificial intelligence.

Meanwhile, social recruitment efforts will reach out to enterprises and research institutions in cities such as Guangdong and Shanghai. This dual approach is expected to bolster the talent pipeline and support the continued growth of Chongqing’s NEV industry.