Export licenses will be required from Jan 1 and are designed to promote the “healthy development” of the EV industry, the ministry of commerce said in a statement Friday. The move brings the sector in line with other types of cars, as well as motorbikes, which require permits.

Beijing has tightened its grip on China’s auto market this year after a bruising price war pushed some manufacturers to the brink, raising concerns among officials about the industry’s longer-term health.

So far, there’s been a crackdown on the aggressive discounting that’s been a feature of the sector for years and an order for carmakers to speed up their payments to suppliers.

China’s EV exports have been at the heart of geopolitical tensions, particularly with the European Union, which has imposed hefty tariffs to stem the flow.

Still, shipments have continued largely unabated. In the first seven months of this year, carmakers such as Nio Inc, BYD Co and Xpeng Inc exported more than US$19 billion worth of electric-powered vehicles, about the same as in the same period last year, with Europe the top market despite the EU tariffs.