Smartphone giant Xiaomi launches its first EV
After hinting at its release for several months, technology firm Xiaomi, has recently unveiled its first electric vehicle. The smartphone and gadget behemoth takes on the likes of Tesla and fellow Chinese automotive giant, BYD, in what is becoming an increasingly congested market with its sporty ‘SU7’ sedan. Revealed in the last week of 2023,…
BYD shows off SUV’s Bond-like ‘float mode’
Off-road enthusiasts rejoice as one of China’s premier automotive manufacturers, BYD, has revealed its flagship YangWang U8 sports utility vehicle has an ‘Emergency Float Mode’, allowing it to wade through water using its wheels as a makeshift propeller system. While the luxury SUV has been available for purchase for several months, the BYD-owned brand only…
China gives the nod to world’s first flying taxi
In a landmark moment for urban passenger mobility, Chinese authorities have green-lit the world’s first flying taxi. Designed and manufactured in Guangdong province, southeast China, the EH216-S uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) loosely resembles a scaled-up hobbyist drone. Passengers sit in a car-sized protective bubble above the UAV’s propulsion and lift system of 16 powerful rotors…
New deposits of rare metal boost Chinese industrial output
A team of Chinese geologists has uncovered a deposit of rare metal ore that could revolutionise the country’s steel, aviation, energy and medical industries. The substance has been dubbed niobabaotite by its discoverers, researchers from the Beijing Research Institute of Uranium Geology of the Chinese National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC). The metal, which consists of several…
Chinese AI start-up brings affordable autonomous driving to manufacturers
Chinese artificial intelligence start-up, Haomo.ai, has announced it has created an affordable autonomous driving assistance system that it claims is cheaper and better than the products offered by its competitors. The Beijing-based company revealed three new ‘L2’ autonomous systems, which it has made available to motor vehicle companies starting from $411 per unit. Each ‘Hpilot’…
Mercedes-Benz chooses Chinese-made batteries for its new luxury EV sedan
After three years of industry speculation, luxury car maker Mercedes-Benz confirmed it will power its new range of electric vehicles (EVs) with the Chinese-developed BYD Blade lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery. The announcement came when the Stuttgart-based automotive giant revealed its CLA sedan EV concept car at the International Mobility Show in Munich. Mercedes is…
China’s GWM pairs up with AI chat bot for new SUV range
One of China’s premier automotive brands has revealed it will integrate a ChatGPT-like bot into some of its product line up. Great Wall Motors (GWM), the country’s most successful SUV manufacturer, released a statement in early August announcing it had established a partnership with ‘Ernie Bot’ developer and search engine giant, Baidu, as the firm…
VW teams up with Chinese start-up to manufacture its new EVs
Automotive giant, Volkswagen, has tapped Chinese start-up, Xpeng, to jointly develop new energy vehicles. The Wolfsburg-based car manufacturer would invest $700 million to purchase a 4.99 per cent stake in the company and an observer’s seat on the board, according to a LinkedIn post by Volkswagen China chief executive, Ralf Brandsatter. Both companies have outlined…
New gigacasting tech allows China to slash EV costs
Chinese engineers have created “supersized” cast parts that have the potential to cut production costs and assembly times in lightweight electric vehicles (EVs) significantly. Much like Tesla’s “gigacasting” technology, the process involves casting two roughly 2.2-square-metre magnesium alloy parts from a single mould – the car’s chassis and the battery box housing cover. Magnesium alloys…
China develops battery with triple the capacity of Tesla Model 3
A group of researchers from China claims to have set a new energy density record when they developed a battery pack with a reported capacity of 711 watt-hours per kilogram – roughly three times more than the Tesla Model 3 ‘4680’ cell. Concerns about battery capacity in electric vehicles (EVs) have been one of the…
China unveils ammonia-powered passenger vehicle
Chinese automotive heavyweight, Guangzhou Automotive Corporation (GAC), has revealed what it says is the world’s first internal combustion engine for passenger vehicles powered almost exclusively on ammonia. Unveiled at the company’s annual technology showcase in Beijing, the environmentally friendly, two-litre, 161-horsepower motor produces 90 per cent fewer harmful emissions than gasoline and diesel engines. While…
China unveils train that only needs refuelling every 8 days
Chinese engineers have unveiled the world’s most powerful hydrogen-powered locomotive as the country seeks to decarbonise its freight and passenger rail network. Developed and assembled by the China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation (CRRC) in Datong, Shanxi Province, “Ningdong” is powered by hydrogen energy and can operate non-stop for nearly 190 hours before needing to refuel.…
Maiden flight takes China closer to self-reliant aviation
After more than a decade of research and development, China’s C919 narrow-body passenger jet has completed its maiden commercial voyage, flying between Shanghai and Beijing. Flight ‘MU9191’ was operated by China Eastern Airlines and carried 130 excited passengers. Chinese officials are hopeful the domestically produced airliner will make the country self-reliant in the industry and…
China now the world’s top car exporter
China has officially surpassed fellow Asian automotive heavyweight Japan as the world’s top exporter of motor vehicles. China beat Japan for the number one spot for the first three months of 2023, with analytics suggesting that similar growth is likely to continue, according to figures provided by China’s Association of Automobile Manufacturers. Vehicle exports in…
Chinese battery giant releases Tesla-beating battery
Chinese battery giant, Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. (CATL), has developed a battery so powerful it has the potential to power aircraft. The company unveiled the 500 watt-hours per kilogram semi-solid state battery at the annual Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition – colloquially referred to as Auto Shanghai – on the 19th of April. Research into…
China’s exciting new self-driving EV-charging robot
Chinese electric vehicle battery technology firm, NaaS Technology, has unveiled its new self-driving battery-charging robot. The diminutive orange and white machine sports several unique design features, including active vehicle locator technology, smart charging and a convenient automatic payment function designed to cater to the increasing demand for mobile, fast-charging solutions. The Zheijing-based company is one…
China floats world’s largest container ship
China has just delivered the MSC Tessa container ship to the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC). The colossal 400-metre vessel was independently designed by shipwright, Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding, and the company says it is the now largest container ship in the world, at an estimated capacity of 24 116 containers. The impressive boxship was ordered by the…
Chinese smartphone stalwart Xiaomi enters EV market
Chinese telecommunications firm, Xiaomi, will make its debut in the country’s electric vehicle (EV) market in the first half of 2024. Xiaomi is one of several smartphone manufacturers that have expressed interest in the fast-growing industry, amid stiff competition from a plethora of domestic players in the field. Company CEO and one-half of the founding…
China works with Zimbabwe to embrace green energy on the roads
Chinese automotive firm, BYD, will supply the Zimbabwean government with 18 electric vehicles (EVs). The country seeks to showcase green energy as the world gradually phases out the production of traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. Zimbabwe’s Central Mechanical Equipment Department (CMED) is also enquiring about the purchase of electric buses for use in the…
China’s first flying family car takes off
Chinese automotive player, Zhejiang Geely, recently announced it has successfully tested its electric vertical take-off and landing vehicle (eVTOL). Developed by Geely subsidiary, Aerofugia, the AE200 prototype eVTOL completed its maiden flight in early February, according to online publication Interesting Engineering. Aerofugia became the country’s first licensed eVTOL operator in 2022 and plans to make…
China’s answer to Tesla takes on European market
Chinese electric vehicle (EV) unicorn and Tesla rival, Xpeng, unveiled its new flagship models to several northern European countries, as it makes a pronounced international push in 2023. The Guangzhou-based startup launched its luxury P7 sedan and G9 sports utility vehicle (SUV) in Denmark, Sweden, Norway and the Netherlands in early February, according to the…
China rolls out first hydrogen-powered, eco-friendly trains
China has what it claims is the world’s only hydrogen-powered train for urban environments. The eco-friendly carriages rolled off the line on the 18th of January 2023 in the country’s southwestern city of Chengdu, Sichuan province, with an estimated top speed of 160 kilometres per hour, according to a recent report by Chinese state media.…
Chinese JV set to upset global compact sports utility vehicle market
A Chinese automotive joint venture between three of the country’s most successful brands is gearing up to launch an all-wheel-drive mini electric SUV set to disrupt the global compact SUV market. Developed by SAIC-GM-Wuling, the KiWi mini EV SUV, the compact off-roader, enters the relatively new market segment fresh off the heels of its predecessor,…
China debuts its first globally competitive passenger airliner
The first flight-ready COMAC C919 aircraft has been delivered to China Eastern Airlines. Received on December 9, the airline marked the milestone occasion with a 15-minute test flight over Shanghai. The C919 is the first Chinese-developed passenger jet to be manufactured in compliance with international standards. It’s poised to compete with Boeing 737 and Airbus…
Africa holds the key to China’s EV growth
As the world’s automotive players continue to ramp up electric vehicle (EV) production, Africa is ideally placed to take profit from it. EV manufacturers are scrambling to access rich deposits of lithium, copper, nickel, cobalt and platinum, all essential to the development of zero-emission cars. China, the world’s top EV manufacturer, remains relatively unchallenged in…
Chinese EV company steps into premium SUV class with a powerful new entry
Chinese automobile giant, BYD, is launching a luxury car brand in 2023 and is starting with the Yangwang SUV. Intending to compete with fellow luxury off-roaders like the Mercedes Benz G-Class and Land Rover Defender, prices for the all-electric and plug-in hybrid SUV will begin at roughly $110 000, making it BYD’s most expensive vehicle…
Chinese flying car wows Dubai audiences
Chinese automotive manufacturer, Xpeng, has just debuted its latest creation in Dubai: a flying car. The AeroHT X2, the two-seater, vertical take-off creation is Xpeng’s vision for the future of personal and public transport. The X2 is classified as an electric vertical take-off and landing vehicle (eVTOL) and is in Dubai as part of the…
Sixt enters major deal to roll out Chinese EV rental cars
Car rental firm, Sixt, is discussing the purchase of 100 000 electric vehicles (EVs) from Chinese car firm BYD. The news comes off the heels of BYD’s European expansion. Sixt joins a slew of car hire companies looking to electrify their fleets by the end of the decade. Sixt, a German-based mobility service provider which…
China rolls out fastest charging EV
Chinese electric vehicle (EV) startup, Xpeng, has launched the world’s fastest charging car to cities nationwide. Called the G9, the powerful sports utility vehicle (SUV) can add more than 250 kilometres (160 miles) of range in only a five-minute charging window. Xpeng, like many Chinese EV firms, is addressing range anxiety – the concern many…
China tests lower-cost Mach 7 hypersonic jet
A group of Chinese scientists claims to have found a method to significantly cut the cost of commercial hypersonic travel. First picked up by the South China Morning Post, researchers claim an air-breathing engine, fuelled by a mixture of ethylene and ultra-fine coal powder, can create explosive shock waves that travel six times faster than…
China tests first flying car
The first road test for magnetic levitation (maglev) vehicles has been conducted by engineers representing China’s Southwest Jiaotong University. First reported by the state-run news agency, Xinhua Daily, the university research unit raised a near 2.8-tonne sedan 25 millimetres off the ground and propelled the vehicle down a test track by way of electromagnets. China…
China’s commercial airliner ambitions take to the skies
China is preparing to certify its answer to Boeing and Airbus this month. The C919 commercial airliner, developed by the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac) has already received orders from several domestic airlines and has been described as the realisation of “a Chinese dream”. FlightRadar24, a real-time flight tracking service, identified two C919s landing…
Kenya busts traffic logjams on new expressway through Chinese partnership
Kenya has officially launched its long-awaited Nairobi Expressway after concluding months of trials. Kenyan president, Uhuru Kenyatta, announced the completion of the project at a ceremony in July, saying the 27-kilometre tolled highway would ease traffic flow and cut travel times significantly. The Nairobi Expressway was commissioned in 2019, six years into Kenyatta’s presidency. Also…
Chinese tech giant launches self-driving taxis
After years of research and development, Chinese internet giant, Baidu, has launched its self-driving robotaxi services to the public. The citizens of Wuhan and Chongqing will be the prospective customers for the autonomous ride-sharing business, according to a press release issued in early August 2022. The Beijing-based tech firm launched its Apollo autonomous driving platform…
China unveils first solar-electric vehicle
A group of Chinese companies has collaborated to develop and manufacture what is the country’s first solar-electric vehicle (SEV). The Tianjin solar car turned heads when it was unveiled during the sixth annual World Intelligence Conference on the Chinese mainland. The prototype was built in only five months and is the product of a substantial…
South Africa eyes Chinese EVs for green minibus taxi solution
Cape Town-based mobility firm, GoMetro, has assembled a group of companies and research agencies to test electric minibus taxis in the Western Cape town of Stellenbosch. The news comes as surging fuel prices and emissions targets are forcing many of the world’s governments to move away from fossil fuels and internal combustion engines (ICEs) in…
Chinese micro EV surprises markets with consistent growth
The Chinese-made Wuling Hongguang Mini EV continues to dominate domestic electric vehicle sales, despite the diminutive vehicle being just two years into its release cycle. Industry experts believe the little car’s remarkable staying power is likely because of its incredibly modest price tag. At just $5 000, the Wuling Mini EV costs about as much…
Chinese scientists develop rapid-charge EV battery
Researchers from several prominent Chinese institutions have reportedly charged a lithium-ion battery to 60% capacity in roughly five minutes. While the feat may seem inconsequential, slow recharge times and range anxiety in electric vehicles have long been recognised as primary factors for consumers not transitioning to the greener alternative. A survey by automotive blog, EV…
China’s BYD says goodbye to internal combustion engine
One of China’s largest automotive brands, BYD, has discontinued manufacturing vehicles with internal combustion engines (ICE). The last petrol and diesel-powered motor vehicles had rolled off factory assembly lines in March, announced a recent statement released by the Shenzhen-based firm. Instead, BYD is directing most of its research and development towards greener power units like…
Chinese heavyweights team up in EV joint venture
Chinese automotive heavyweight BYD recently committed to running Baidu’s autonomous driving systems in its vehicles, with the partnership expected to boost profitability for both brands. Sources working closely with the companies told South China Morning Post (SCMP) that Baidu’s natively developed autonomous driving platform, Apollo Navigation Pilot (ANP), had been selected by the Warren Buffett-backed…
China grows its battery swap capability for heavy-duty EVs
One of China’s largest car manufacturers and Volvo parent company, Geely, has announced plans to install battery swapping stations specifically for long-haul and heavy-duty electric vehicles (EVs). Battery swapping services have been popularised in China for passenger vehicles as more drivers transition to electric alternatives. However, often larger vehicles aren’t catered for as typical swap…
China-Italy team-up rattles autonomous trucking market
Chinese startup, DeepWay, has teamed up with famed Italian design studio, Pininfarina, to create a semi-autonomous truck. The electrified heavy-duty truck, Xingtu, was designed to improve the efficiency, comfort and sustainability of long-haul transit. Founded in 2020, DeepWay, backed by internet mega-firm, Baidu, disrupted the industry when it announced it would collaborate with Turin-based design…
China first to pilot commercial solid-state EV battery
One of China’s largest motoring firms, Dongfeng Motor Corporation, has delivered fifty electric vehicles (EVs) powered by the firm’s solid-state battery, for demonstration. Often referred to as the ‘Holy Grail’ of EV technologies, solid-state batteries are significantly more efficient than traditional liquid-electrolyte power units. The EV, Dongfeng’s E70 model, is the first to house the…
Toyota teams up with Chinese EV company
Global automotive giant Toyota has tapped Chinese firm BYD to build an affordable electric vehicle for the Chinese market. First reported in early December, the move is seen as an effort by the Japanese automobile company to fast-track its EV ambitions. Toyota, which enjoys a significant 8.8% ownership of the global automobile market, has a…
China unveils new EV, eyes global markets
Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer, Xpeng, has unveiled a new flagship SUV. Called the G9, the semi-autonomous vehicle will make its international debut in Norway, before expanding into the global market. This announcement continues the trend by Chinese EV firms to establish a foothold in the EV-friendly nation, before expanding to a wider audience. While Xpeng…
New Chinese pickup truck can charge on the move
A Chinese electric vehicle (EV) start-up has revealed images of its brand new all-electric pickup truck, the EF1-T. Developed by EdisonFuture, the futuristic EV features a retractable solar roof allowing for on-the-move charging. In a press statement, EdisonFuture, a subsidiary of Hong Kong-based SPI Energy, said the EF1-T’s sloping, retractable roof configuration incorporated “solar mosaic…
Chinese flying car a step closer to commercial launch
HT Aero, a Guangzhou-based startup backed by Chinese tech unicorn, Xpeng, has secured $500 million to build flying cars, with a potential eye on a 2024 commercial launch date. The round of funding is the single-largest in Asia’s relatively new low-flying vehicle sector to date, according to Business Wire. The Series A funding was led by…
Smartphone giant enters the electric vehicle market
In September, Xiaomi announced the registration of its electric vehicle (EV) company, Xiaomi EV Inc. The Chinese electronics manufacturer will enter the market with $1.55 billion in capital and has named company founder and CEO, Lei Jun, as its legal representative, according to Reuters. Since announcing its EV intentions earlier this year, the Beijing-based tech…
Chinese self-driving giant launches powerful new chip for auto industry
Beijing-based internet giant, Baidu, has developed a new chip as well as a “robocar”. The driverless concept car was created to showcase the computing power of the semiconductor, according to a report from CNBC. Unveiled at Baidu’s annual world conference in mid-August, the second-generation microchip, Kunlun 2, has recently gone into mass production, after three…
Chinese firm expands battery swap initiative, includes EU
Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, NIO, has outlined plans to build more than 4 000 battery swap stations worldwide by the end of 2025, 1 000 of which will be outside of mainland China. The Shanghai-based EV unicorn made the announcement at its Power Day, which the company held on the 9th of July 2021. NIO…
Chinese robotaxi startup goes to California
Chinese robotaxi startup, Pony.ai, has been given the green light to test driverless vehicles in three Californian cities. In late May 2021, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) allowed for the testing in several prominent areas, making Pony.ai one of the only firms allowed to conduct full driverless testing in the state. Pony.ai has been…
Second Chinese electronic vehicle takes on Scandinavian market
Electric vehicle (EV) maker, NIO, has announced plans to expand outside of China. The Tesla rival announced it would start deliveries to Norway by September 2020. NIO joins fellow Chinese EV manufacturer, Xpeng, in Norway, a nation that has more EVs per capita than any other country. The Shanghai-based firm confirmed it will launch its…
Chinese ride hailer, Didi, enters South African market
China’s largest vehicle for hire company, DiDi Chuxing, plans to expand into South Africa, starting with Cape Town. The SoftBank-backed giant is expected to compete with the global ride-hailing giant Uber, according to Reuters. Founded in 2012, the Beijing-based firm has services in more than 400 cities in China and users in Latin America, Asia,…
New Chinese laser technology can see through walls
A team of Chinese scientists have developed a laser capable of seeing through walls from a kilometre away. Once relegated to the realm of science fiction, the significant advancement in quantum electronics may have applications in everything from defence to autonomous driving. Developed by a group of University of Science and Technology of China researchers,…
China’s new single-aisle aircraft set for take off
China’s COMAC C919 single-aisle aircraft is nearly ready to take to the skies as it nears certification, said chief designer, Wu Guanghui. Wu said the C919 narrow-body airliner would be certified by the end of the year, according to the South China Morning Post. The C919 is China’s and the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China’s…
Geely to build satellites for autonomous vehicles
Chinese automotive company, Geely Holding Group, has gained approval to build satellites crucial to communication and navigation for autonomous vehicles. A licence to build a facility in Taizhou, Zhejiang Province was granted by China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) in February. Last year the firm announced plans to construct a $326 million satellite manufacturing…
Chinese Mini EV selling up a storm
A small, unassuming electric vehicle (EV) from Chinese motoring firm, SAIC, is outselling Elon Musk’s money-printing machine, the Tesla Model 3, in China. The Hong Guang Mini EV, a joint venture between state-owned SAIC and US motoring giant General Motors, has sold more than 110 000 times units its debut in July. Described as a…
China’s first hypercar joins Italy’s motoring royalty
China’s Belt and Road Initiative has its first hypercar – loosely defined as the most superior of cars and a step up from a supercar. Silk EV, a new automotive startup in Italy, recently announced it would be collaborating with China’s oldest car maker, First Automotive Works (FAW), to create the S9 – an all-electric…
China’s BYD lands Columbian electric bus deal
Warren Buffet-backed BYD, the world’s largest electric bus manufacturer, has secured a contract from the city of Bogota, Columbia, for more than 1 000 new buses – the single biggest order of BYD electric buses outside of China ever. The contract was awarded to BYD after the Bogota City Public Transport Authority (Transmilenio) released a…
China’s new bullet train set to break speed records
A magnetic levitation – or maglev – bullet train prototype which could carry passengers across China almost as fast as a commercial aircraft was unveiled this month. Researchers from China’s Southwestern Jiaotong University unveiled the prototype on a 165m custom-built section of rail in China’s Chengdu region in early January. The maglev train, designed to…
Chinese tech and auto giants join forces
Two of China’s largest companies are teaming up to disrupt the automotive industry. Internet giant Baidu, and Chinese car manufacturer Geely, have announced a collaboration, continuing the trend of big tech companies diversifying into the future of passenger transportation. On 11 January, Geely, the largest car manufacturer in China, said the two mega-firms would collaborate,…
KFC offers customers 5G self-driving food trucks
Self-driving 5G KFC ‘chicken trucks’ have been spotted in Shanghai, causing a stir on social media. In late November, Twitter users started noticing KFC trucks driving around the Shanghai city centre. The driverless, 5G-enabled food trucks are a project developed between Yum Foods, the parent company of KFC, and Neolix, one of China’s leading tech…
Chinese driverless car start-up raises more funds
Driverless car and AI firm, Pony.ai, has reached a $5.3 billion evaluation after it raised $267 million in a new round of funding. The Chinese start-up, which says it has raised more than $1 billion in its four-year existence, said the financial injection would go into research and development. Pony.ai is the brainchild of Chinese…
Volvo subsidiary to mass produce green concept car
Polestar’s 2020 electric vehicle concept car is to go into mass production in a carbon-neutral factory in China, according to the electric vehicle firm. The Polestar Precept made its debut earlier this year as a concept car with an emphasis on sustainability and cutting-edge tech instead of traditional performance figures and specifications. The Geely-owned Volvo…
Chinese firm goes live with hands-free driving
Chinese electric vehicle (EV) firm, Nio, has launched its semi-autonomous technology, which allows for hands-free driving using high-definition mapping technology. The Shanghai-based EV company’s navigation assistant – called Navigate on Pilot (NoP) – will be available via software update this month. The company, founded in 2014, says NoP is the first assisted-driving function that uses…
China grows its European e-bus footprint
Warren Buffet-backed Chinese automotive giant, BYD, has delivered a shipment of 106 new electric buses to Finland in the largest delivery ever received by the eco-conscious Scandinavian state. The transaction, the first between Finland and BYD, will see 64 buses introduced to the tarmac of the Finnish capital, Helsinki, which has been at the forefront…
Chinese micro EV outsells Tesla two months after launch
China’s automotive industry has found an unlikely hero after the Wuling Hong Guang Micro electric vehicle (EV), a joint venture between General Motors (GM) and SAIC Motor, outsold the Tesla Model 3 in China. Chinese EV manufacturers eager to be the ”next Tesla” have had to find ways to ride the momentum created by the…
Uganda launches first Afro-Sino e-bus factory
Ugandan owned Kiira Motors, an electric bus startup with its roots in plug-in electric vehicle (EV) hybrids, is building Africa’s first e-bus factory, making use of Chinese battery technology. The small bus company based outside the Ugandan capital, Kampala, is already negotiating several contracts for its newest offering, the Kayoola EVS. The company’s origins lie…
World’s largest seaplane completes maiden flight
China has built the largest seaplane the world has seen since Howard Hughes’s legendary ‘Spruce Goose.’ The Asian superpower’s first-ever attempt at the feat, the AG600, made its maiden voyage on July 26. The AG600, also known as ‘Kunlong’, has been in development since 2009, but the public has seen it only a handful of…
Pony.ai takes to Shanghai streets with self-driving cars
Pony.ai, one of China’s leading autonomous vehicle (AV) firms, has announced it will be beta testing self-driving cars as part of its bid to become a leader in the competitive market. The AV start-up, founded by former Baidu developers, James Peng and Lou Tiancheng, announced Saturday that it would be working with city officials to…
Million mile EV battery ready for production
A ‘million-mile battery’ unit for electric vehicles that can last up to two million kilometres and for 16 years is ready for mass production, says Chinese battery manufacturer, Contemporary Amperex Technology Limited (CATL). The battery will cost around 10% more than current EV standard power units, says CATL, one of China’s largest manufacturers of EV…
Chinese minitruck set to bolster vendor economy
A Chinese minitruck found itself trending on the popular social media platform, WeChat, last week. The truck’s market debut under the Wuling brand coincided with the Shanghai government’s decision to lift stall and vendor bans in the city. The minitruck, a light-vehicle joint venture between SAIC-GM and Wuling Motors, is 4.5m long and costs US$7…
Chinese internet giant opens world’s biggest driverless test facility
Internet giant, Baidu, has completed the world’s largest testing facility for autonomous motor vehicles. The Beijing-based tech company announced in late May that the massive project will be used to test autonomous driving and vehicle-to-infrastructure communication. Situated in Beijing’s Yizhuaung Economic Development Zone, Apollo Park is a 13 500 square meter area that will accommodate…
Interactive EV charging ports to support Shanghai tech strategy
As Chinese consumers slowly return to normal buying patterns and the automotive market shows the first signs of recovery, the Shanghai Municipal Government announced it would install a further 100 000 electric vehicle (EV) charging ports and 34 500 new 5G base stations in the city. The large-scale installation of EV charging ports and 5G…
Chinese e-bus manufacturer enters EU passenger market
Shenzhen based automobile manufacturer, BYD, has entered the European electric passenger vehicle market. The BYD Tang EV600 will make its European debut in Norway before the year’s end, the group announced in early May. BYD, the second-largest electric vehicle producer in the world, enjoys a strong presence in the e-bus and public transport sector in…
BYD launches ‘safer’ electric vehicle battery
The world’s second largest manufacturer of electric vehicles, BYD, has launched the “Blade Battery”, which it says will significantly increase driver safety. Company president and chairman, Wang Chuanfu, unveiled the battery via an online launch at the end of March. Wang said the battery design reflects BYD’s commitment to making electric vehicles safer, as well as…
Chinese motor industry back on track
Restrictions on movement, production and trade have seen the global automotive industry grind to a halt. But China, once the epicentre of the Covid-19 outbreak, is seeing its employees slowly returning to work. After car sales in China fell 80% in February during the apex of the pandemic, markets a month later are easing back…
China launches first mass produced self-driving car
Changan Automobiles, one of China’s top five producers of motor vehicles, this week announced the mass production of its first self-driving car. Company officials say mass production of the ‘UNI-T’ model – with “conditional” self-driving capabilities – will begin in March. The new flagship, four-door sedan, will be the first mass-produced L3 systems car in…
Chinese drone manufacturer considers autonomous cars
Chinese drone manufacturers, DJI, are moving into global markets. The company has showcased new Light Detection and Radar technology (LiDAR), an innovation that may hold the key to the company’s venture into autonomous driving technologies. Earlier this year, Livox, a subsidiary of DJI, showcased LiDAR at the annual consumer electronics show in Las Vegas. The…
China a frontrunner for UK high-speed train contract
The UK is looking to China to complete its long overdue and over budget HS2 high-speed railway from London to the Midlands and other northern cities. The possible call for assistance comes two weeks after the British parliament gave the go-ahead for the ambitious project. The High Speed 2 (HS2) project was budgeted for in…
Chery takes on US markets after two-decade hiatus
Chinese car manufacturer Chery is set for another foray into the US market. The move comes nearly two decades after businessman, Malcolm Bricklin, attempted to introduce the Chinese automobile company to American consumers. The car making its debut in the States is a compact Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) called the Vantas. The Vantas is a…
Chinese space race continues with delivery of new capsule
A Chinese prototype space capsule arrived at its launch site in Wenchang, China late January. The capsule, named Tianhe, will form part of the Chinese Space Complex which is due to be completed as early as 2022. The prototype will be unpiloted and serve as a demonstration and test for a manned operation. The capsule is…
Geely and Mercedes-Benz team up for smart car market
Chinese owned automobile company Geely and Mercedes-Benz parent company Daimler have teamed up to create a smart automobile. The joint venture will cost an estimated RMB5.4 billion and is set to shake-up the electric car market. Daimler and Geely will each contribute RMB2.7 billion to the venture. Mercedes-Benz will be responsible for research and design…
Chinese electric car maker to enter European market
Aiways has obtained the necessary permits and certifications to enter Europe Aiways is a Shanghai-based startup that will begin selling in China this month Aiways introduced its electric vehicles to the Chinese market in November 2019 and plans to expand to Europe in 2020, with a focus on Norway, the Netherlands and Germany. The Aiways…
China is working on an electric helicopter
Chinese researchers are developing an electric helicopter The goal is to develop a prototype for demonstration purposes Chinese researchers are developing an electric helicopter, starting with the tail rotor, according to the China Helicopter Research and Development Institute in Jiangxi Province in China. Researchers and engineers at the institute are building a prototype tail rotor,…
China and Italy to produce world’s first 3D-printed car
Italian company, XEV, has partnered with Chinese company, Polymaker They are going to launch the world’s first mass-produced 3D-printed electric car The first mass-produced 3D-printed electric vehicle was launched by Polymaker, a 3D printing company based in Shanghai, and XEV Italian company at the China 3D-Printing Cultural Museum at the beginning of 2018. The car…
Drone delivery an option in China
Chinese company JD.com has been using drones as a delivery option in four pilot regions in China since 2016 JD.com will soon launch 150 drone facilities to expand this offering JD.com, China’s biggest online retailer and e-commerce giant, started piloting delivery of parcels by drones, or unmanned aerial vehicles, in June 2016. The pilot in…
Guangzhou to pilot the world’s first air traffic city
Government signed a deal with EHang to launch its first urban air mobility pilot city programme EHang is a Chinese company that operates autonomous passenger and freight low-altitude vehicles Guangzhou has been chosen as the host city to pilot EHang’s air taxis. EHang will build its very first operational network of air taxis and transport…
Flights between China and Africa up 630%
There was only one direct flight between China and Africa in 2010 Now there are about eight direct flights between the two Flights between Africa and China have grown by 630% in the past decade. Chinese people flying home from their workplace in African countries previously had to make up to a 5-trip journey, with…
China donates buses to Mozambique
China has identified the need for Mozambique to improve public transport China donated 100 new buses China’s donation of 100 buses to Mozambique in June has helped the African government to make progress towards its goal of distributing 1 000 buses across the country in five years. Mozambique has now met 80% of its target.…
China the power behind the electric vehicle revolution
Chinese sales of electric vehicles reached 1.1 million in 2018 This makes up over 55% of all electric vehicles sold worldwide The world is in a race against time to find alternative sources of energy that do not harm the earth, or are likely to run out soon. China has been making headway in all…
Chinese vehicle maker BAIC Group invests R11bn in SA
In 2016, Chinese vehicle manufacturer Beijing Automotive Group (BAIC) announced an R11 billion investment into a vehicle assembly plant near Port Elizabeth The plant is expected to begin production before the end of 2019 BAIC’s R11 billion investment is the single largest investment in South Africa in 40 years. BAIC officially opened its vehicle assembly…
China to use airships to transport cargo
China has found a new way to transport cargo with large balloon-like ships China Aviation Industry General Aircraft company to build the airship starting in 2022 China is always on the lookout for new ways to transport goods in a cost-effective manner. Cargo airships may be the answer to delivering produce to remote locations that…
China pilots passenger drones
China chooses Ehang to develop passenger drones The drone – known as Ehang184 Autonomous Aerial Vehicle – has wowed critics A quadcopter passenger drone has undergone numerous tests carrying actual passengers in conditions that have mimicked a category 7 typhoon, high temperatures and visibility-hampering fog scenarios. Chinese based drone manufacturer, Ehang, first debuted the drone…
China tests its first hydrogen fuel plane
China is the 3rd country in the world to successfully complete a maiden flight with a hydrogen fuel plane This is a major step towards low-carbon & sustainable transport China has completed 10 test flights for its new hydrogen fuel aircraft as it tries out various tails and types of landing gear. The aircraft, named…
Buffet’s belief in Chinese company BYD pays off
Warren Buffet made a bet on BYD in September of 2008 – his investment has grown more than 500% in a decade BYD focuses on manufacturing alternative energy vehicles and rechargeable batteries You know a business has great potential if it catches the eye of one of the world’s most renowned investors, Warren Buffet. Buffet’s…
China overtakes world in the adoption of electric buses
China owns and operates 99% of the 385 000 electric buses in the world. 9 500 cutting-edge electric buses are added to China’s fleet about every five weeks. Shenzhen has electrified all 16 359 of its public busses, the first city globally to do so. China is increasing its electric bus fleet every five weeks by the…
Tesla opens first ever factory in China
The American electrical vehicle manufacturer, Tesla, has opened up its first ever wholly-owned assembly plant in Shanghai, China, after the Chinese government lifted restrictions on foreign companies producing vehicles in China. The American firm, owned by South African expatriate, Elon Musk, opened the assembly plant in July, after China agreed to lift regulations on global…
China’s electric vehicle market hotting up
China is putting massive effort into building its electric vehicle market. In the first seven months of 2018 China delivered 382 000 electric vehicles – mainly local brands such as BYD, Geely and BAIC. This was an over 80% increase from the same period the previous year, according to the China Passenger Car Alliance, a…
Chinese-made minibus taxi vehicles to help renew South Africa’s ageing minibus taxi fleet
Two hundred new minibus taxi vehicles that will play a role in the ongoing effort to renew South Africa’s ageing minibus taxi fleet have arrived at the Durban Port from China over the past three weeks. The vehicles, imported from three different manufacturers in China, are part of a steady stream of about 250 vehicles…