llustration: Liu Xiangya/GT
"This could be the DeepSeek moment for China's electric vehicle (EV) industry." "Unbelievable!" - BYD's recently launched megawatt fast-charging technology has sent shockwaves through international discourse. Reportedly, this innovation enables the world's fastest mass-produced charging speed - a five-minute charge for 400 kilometers of driving range - effectively eliminating EV users' "charging anxiety." In a research report, Morgan Stanley stated that "it's time to break through the biggest bottleneck in the popularization of EV." Amid the shock and excitement, many foreign media outlets have voiced concerns that if the US continues to exclude Chinese technology through high tariffs, protectionism could stifle innovation within US companies.
China's EV industry is continuously pushing the boundaries of technological advancement. Behind the breakthrough of megawatt fast-charging lies BYD's independent innovations in key areas such as ultra-fast charging systems, high-speed motors, and automotive-grade silicon carbide power chips. From battery materials to liquid-cooled charging piles, from motor design to grid compatibility, BYD has built a comprehensive technological ecosystem. Beyond BYD, Zeekr recently announced its "Zeekr G-Pilot" solution, which allows a vehicle to autonomously locate a charging station, connect and disconnect the charger, and complete payment after the driver exits the car. Meanwhile, the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra prototype clocked an impressive 6:46.87 minutes on Germany's Nürburgring Nordschleife. If convenience, comfort and high cost-effectiveness have become synonymous with Chinese EVs, it is because they embody a deeper philosophy - China's technological advancements are designed to serve people.
From the perspective of the entire EV industry's future, Chinese companies' technological breakthroughs are exciting. Media outlets like Reuters and Axios acknowledge that megawatt fast-charging will spark a new wave of battery and charging equipment manufacturing worldwide, reviving deflated US investor interest in the EV sector. What concerns foreign media, however, is the stark contrast in attitudes toward openness between China and the US, which may further widen the technological gap between companies from both countries.
Data shows that China accounts for over 75 percent of the global battery supply, with CATL and BYD holding significant technological advantages over their Western counterparts. While protectionism has reinforced the US auto industry's reliance on domestic gasoline-powered cars, "it is hard to see how better, more innovative EVs can be kept out forever."
The response of some countries to Chinese enterprises' technological progress is regrettable. Recently, the US House of Representatives passed the Decoupling from Foreign Adversarial Battery Dependence Act, blacklisting six Chinese battery companies including BYD and CATL from government procurement under the guise of "national security." This policy may appear tough but ultimately reveals shortsightedness. While Washington is discussing how to curb Chinese technology, automakers like Ford and Mercedes-Benz are actively partnering with Chinese firms. This contrast proves a simple truth: In an era of deepening economic globalization, technological blockades are like trying to stop the tide with a fishing net - ultimately, they only lead to confusion.
Historical experience shows that any technological revolution goes through a process of "innovation - diffusion - inclusion," and the electric vehicle industry is no exception. Recently, CATL signed a strategic cooperation memorandum with the Volkswagen Group, and both parties will comprehensively deepen their collaboration in the fields of lithium battery research and development for new energy vehicles, new material applications, and component development. BMW China has reached a cooperation agreement with Huawei, aiming for the deep integration of the HarmonyOS ecosystem into BMW's operations in China. Geely and Malaysia's Proton are jointly developing their first EV, with over 200 engineers and designers from both China and Malaysia collaborating on the research and design. These practices showcase the vision of Chinese enterprises: We do not seek to monopolize the market but rather aim to share the benefits of green development with all of humanity through technological innovation.
Currently, the global EV market is at a critical turning point. The China EV 100 Forum predicts that total domestic and international sales of EVs may exceed 16.5 million by 2025. In this race that will determine the future industrial landscape, the choice between cooperation and confrontation tests the foresight and wisdom of various countries. True technological innovation has never relied on zero-sum games. From Tesla's Shanghai Gigafactory to Toyota's upcoming new factory, China has consistently embraced the world with an open attitude. We firmly believe that China's independent innovation does not depend on closed-door development, or engaging in a technological cold war, but rather on maintaining a strategic commitment to global cooperation. The wave of China's new technologies is open for all sincere collaborators who wish to ride it.
