China’s automotive industry is forging its own technologies, and often outpacing global competitors. Some of these innovations represent true breakthroughs, while others are primarily marketing-driven developments designed to help companies stand out in an increasingly crowded market. Yet both types are impressive. BRICS Business Magazine highlights some of the most notable examples.
Tech investors remember the shock when Chinese company DeepSeek released an inexpensive yet powerful AI model, challenging American dominance. Now a similar breakthrough has occurred in electric vehicles with the introduction by BYD of its revolutionary Super e-Platform charging system capable of providing up to 400km of range in just five minutes of charging time. For comparison, Tesla offers 270km in 15 minutes, while Mercedes-Benz provides 325km in ten minutes.
This innovation addresses two key fears among EV owners. The first is “range anxiety”, the car running out of charge before reaching its destination, which is gradually being mitigated thanks to increasing driving ranges to 400–500 kilometres per full battery cycle. The second fear concerns the long wait times at charging stations, making every minute spent recharging critical. “Charging should be as fast as refuelling gasoline,” stated BYD CEO Wang Chuanfu. To this end, BYD has launched the large-scale deployment of more than 4,000 ultra-fast charging stations across China. Experts predict that this advance will spur new startups and manufacturers specializing in charging equipment.
In 2023, Chinese automobile manufacturer JAC Group made a breakthrough by delivering the first mass-produced electric cars equipped with sodium-ion batteries. Under its sub-brand Yiwei, JAC launched the affordable Huaxianzi (“Flower Fairy”) model priced under EUR 9,000. The car features innovative HiNA Battery Technology with energy density of 140 Wh/kg, enabling a driving range of 250 kilometres.
Although sodium-ion batteries fall short compared to lithium-based ones in terms of energy density, they offer several advantages. These include better performance in cold weather conditions (maintaining 92% capacity even at –20°C), faster charging rates, longer lifespan, and greater durability through multiple charging cycles without significant loss of capacity.
Additionally, the production of sodium-ion batteries uses cheaper and more readily available raw materials. According to HiNa Battery Technology, this discovery could reduce electric vehicle production costs by approximately 10%.
Not only can the Yangwang U8 off-roader handle water crossings, but it can also float in emergency situations. When activated, sensors automatically assess water depth and wheel traction. If the depth exceeds safe limits, the vehicle switches to emergency floating mode.
In this scenario, the internal combustion engine switches off, the Disus-P pneumatic suspension raises the vehicle to maximum height, the windows close, the air conditioning enters recirculation mode, and the sunroof opens to allow access to the roof if necessary. On-screen displays show real-time data about water depth and vehicle position.
The U8 can stay afloat for 30 minutes, moving at speeds up to 3 km/h and performing manoeuvres like turning in place. However, BYD emphasizes that this function serves exclusively as a last resort during floods rather than for entertainment purposes. Its waterproof rating meets the stringent IP68 standard.
During summer 2024, IM Motors blew up social networks with its videos showing a prototype car smoothly parking sideways. In these clips, a woman exits the test vehicle, closes her door, and watches as the car moves laterally into a parking spot while maintaining parallel alignment with the adjacent wall throughout its movement.
This was made possible thanks to the company’s 4WS, all-wheel drive electric chassis: wheels on both axles can rotate independently of each other, while torque is precisely controlled on each individual wheel.
Already integrated into current models, this chassis enables diagonal motion (“crab mode”) and near-zero-radius turns (minimum radius of 4.99 metres). Sideways parking required only minor adjustments to existing algorithms governing wheel rotation angles and torque application. It seems clear that sideways mobility will become a signature feature of future IM Motors releases.
In March of this year, BYD unveiled a record-breaking electric motor with an unprecedented speed of 30,511 rpm – the world’s first production unit to surpass the 30,000‑rpm barrier. By contrast, motors used in high-performance Tesla vehicles (such as the Model S Plaid) operate at 20,000 rpm, while Porsche Taycan motors reach 25,000 rpm.
The new design delivers 580 kW (equivalent to 788 horsepower) with specific power output of 16.4 kW/kg – surpassing Ferrari’s V12 engines, which are rated at 10kW/kg. Its compact size and lightweight construction make optimal use of interior space within the vehicle.
At 30,000 revolutions per minute, the rotor’s linear velocity approaches the speed of sound. Even slight imbalances can cause intense vibration and noise, potentially reducing the lifespan of bearings. Using high-speed forming and precision balancing technologies, BYD achieved a dynamic imbalance of just 50 mgr – significantly lower than the industry-standard threshold of 100 mgr.
Outfitted with this record-breaking motor, the Han L business sedan accelerates from 0 to 100km/h in just 2.7 seconds and achieves a top speed of 305 km/h, maintaining stability even after repeated abrupt starts.
In November 2024, XPENG AEROHT conducted its first public demonstration of its modular flying car, the Land Aircraft Carrier.
Founder Zhao Deli personally demonstrated how the aerial module carrying passengers automatically detaches itself from the ground base before reconnecting seamlessly.
The aircraft can either be manually controlled, a process requiring just five minutes of training, or entrusted entirely to autonomous systems capable of avoiding obstacles.
The key feature is the vehicle’s transformability: the ground module simultaneously serves as transport, hangar, and charging station for the airborne component. Detaching and reattaching modules takes less than five minutes without manual intervention. The land platform resembles a futuristic three-axle van measuring 5.5 metres in length with a rugged 6×6 active suspension setup ensuring off-road capabilities akin to an SUV. Meanwhile, the air module comprises an electric hexacopter featuring vertical take-off and landing capability, constructed using carbon fibre material.
Mass production is scheduled to commence in 2026 following the completion of specialized factory facilities.
The development of eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) vehicles forms part of China’s broader strategy towards a “low-altitude economy,” encompassing sectors such as drone taxis and cargo drones. Several domestic firms already possess functional prototypes. One example is EHang, which earlier this spring received global certification for operating unmanned passenger-carrying drones. Flying taxis are expected to commence regular services between cities in mainland China within the next three to five years.
