As some EV companies struggle to stay afloat and others contend with constant vandalism of their vehicles (well, one in particular), Chinese EV makers are mopping up.
Driving the news: BYD, the top EV manufacturer last year, unveiled its new charging system this week, claiming the system can fully charge its newest cars in as little as five minutes. The company is working towards cutting charging times to around how long it takes to fill up at the pump.
Plus: Not to be outdone, Zeekr Group and Xpeng both announced plans involving vehicles with L3 driving assistance capabilities in the second half of 2025. L3 is the third-highest level of automated driving and isn’t yet available in consumer EVs, per Reuters.
- Last month, BYD also announced its advanced “God’s Eye” self-driving system which will soon be available in most of its models at no additional cost — a development that could kill the lucrative model of offering self-driving capability as a paid add-on.
Why it matters: Western EV makers’ advantages over Chinese competitors have rapidly dwindled. Tesla’s supercharger system, one of its largest advantages, can’t match BYD’s promise of five-minute charges. Meanwhile, U.S. automakers are actively worried that they will lose the self-driving car market to China without government support.
What’s next: With China already besting the West on price, Chinese EVs are now pulling ahead on performance as well — that could make them the undisputed top choice for global consumers, barring the widespread adoption of punitive tariffs like Canada’s 100% tax.—QH