Alternative fuel vehicle refers to a vehicle that uses unconventional vehicle fuel as its power source (or uses conventional vehicle fuel and new on-board power unit), integrates advanced technologies in vehicle power control and drive, and forms advanced technical principles, new technologies and new structures.

Alternative fuel vehicle include four types: hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), pure electric vehicles (BEVs, including solar powered vehicles), fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs), and other new energy vehicles (such as supercapacitors, flywheels and other high-efficiency energy storage devices). Non conventional automotive fuels refer to fuels other than gasoline and diesel.

In 2012, Pingshan District of Shenzhen was approved as a national level new energy vehicle industry base. Relying on this "national brand" golden signboard, nearly 300 new energy enterprises gathered in Pingshan, forming a new energy industry chain and cluster with high technological content, strong innovation ability, and outstanding demonstration effects, becoming one of the three leading industries supporting "Innovation Pingshan".