‘You have the best job in the world’, someone at Farnborough once told me. ‘Testing the latest and greatest technology that’s so easily accessible’.
This was back in 2023, and they were referring to the raft of new Chinese cars we were discussing on the Everything Electric Show – the HiPhi Z with its futuristic modernist design language and insane interior, the transformation of Shenzhen overnight to a fully electric bus and taxi fleet. A then-unknown company called BYD in Shenzhen – we had a factory tour without any idea of how big they were set to become (that video is now 5 years old – how much has changed in that time!).
But all of this tech is now normal and accessible to most buyers in overseas markets. BYD is now in over 100 countries, with Geely, Xpeng and others hot on their heels.
We’re seeing a shift and maturation of the automotive market (as well as consolidation – though we haven’t seen this on a big scale yet) – so the question is, what happens next?
Arguably we’re now entering what is possibly the most interesting time for the Chinese auto and tech industry. We’ll see big shifts again before the end of the decade with the decline of legacy brands, first in China and then continued decline overseas, set against the growth of the Chinese brands. But it’s not a clear path, and there’s no guaranteed success.
Chinese cars pack cutting-edge self-driving tech, Sodium Ion or Solid State batteries, roof-mounted drones, and assembly in dark factories where humanoid robots are replacing workers. This convergence of automotive and tech makes now the perfect moment to launch our new ‘Tech in China’ Podcast, hosted by Robert Llewellyn and myself. We’ll cover a wide range of topics – all automotive adjacent – because the tech that gets built in China will end up in your homes and on your driveways in the next 5 to 10 years. China’s shift from manufacturing hub to high-tech innovator is happening now, and we have a front-row seat.
We’re also bringing this tech to our Everything Electric shows around the world through our Future Tech Hub, launching in Harrogate from 8-9 May, where you can get up close with some of the technology from China and beyond as well as talk with experts from the industry.
But if you want a taste of what’s to come, there are 3 areas to keep an eye on in 2026.
Ball-Busting Robots
If you’ve been using the internet over the last 4 weeks, you may have seen the viral video of the gentleman being kicked in a sensitive area by his robot companion who was mimicking his moves. Although unfortunate and slightly amusing (no injuries were reported), it shows how quickly these robots have gone from awkward jumping in the Boston Dynamics lab into the early mainstream. These robots are set to be sold in places like Australia from 2026, and whilst expensive (50,000 AUD to 100,000 AUD), we know that the price will drop considerably, very quickly. Who’s leading in this space at the moment is impossible to say, but Unitree (aforementioned ball-buster) and Xpeng are definitely ones to watch.
You may have also seen the music concert with Wang Leehom in Chengdu over Christmas with 6 G1 Unitree robots doing synchronized backflips on stage. Whilst this is impressive and showcases the technology – helping to normalise it – I’m hopeful that these robots will be put to use on jobs that are dangerous to humans rather than taking away a chance for us to be creative. Perhaps a discussion (or Robert Rant) on our first podcast?
Battery Breakthroughs
Robert and I both fizz with excitement over batteries – we had a chance to visit the CATL battery labs last year, as well as drive the naked CATL skateboard chassis. We get excited because this is where the real innovation takes place and what really drives the transition to a cleaner and greener world we’re beginning to see. Of course CATL dominates headlines, but there are plenty of others to look out for in this space.
But back to CATL – they have some very exciting developments on the horizon this year. First – commercially available sodium-ion batteries. These are going into mass production in 2026. Most sodium ion applications so far have been in a limited number of vehicles or only in test cars. But this year we’ll see commercial applications, energy storage applications amongst others really ramp up.
This is good news. It brings down the price, uses less rare earths and heavy metals and basically means we can all begin to enjoy more affordable home energy storage, affordable EVs and it means we no longer need to depend on lithium.
EVTOL (XPeng and CATL again)
Flying cars basically. 2026 is tipped to be the year these become a commercial reality. We recently had the chance to see the Autoflight EVTOL with CATL on the Everything Electric APAC channel, but there are many others who are applying for licenses and getting approvals in commercial settings for EVTOLs.
The Middle East is becoming a hotbed for these startups too – personal transportation to whisk commuters away from what is now becoming nightmare traffic, with approvals being streamlined for these companies. Xpeng are also launching their Land Aircraft Carrier this year – certainly a niche product and hopefully not something you’d see on your morning commute into Swindon on a drizzly Tuesday morning. But for firefighting teams, emergency rescue situations, there’s a compelling use case. China’s low-altitude economy is forecast to hit $487.5B by 2035 and is being pushed by the government here as one of the next big frontiers in terms of development.
I remain slightly sceptical of some of these at the moment, but more importantly – the fact we’re now moving into flying machines with batteries can only be a good thing for future mobility.
I could go on and on, but if you want to stay abreast of what’s happening in China – as we have been for the last 5 years – then tune in to our new Podcast, launching in the next few weeks or visit one of our shows around the world. If there’s any Tech in China (or Asia) that you want to see featured, then please get in touch with us at the email address below, we would love to hear from you.
About the author
Elliot Richards is China Correspondent for Everything Electric and Fully Charged Show, producing video content that brings Chinese EV and technology developments to global audiences. Based in China with over 18 years in the country, he has direct access to manufacturers, factory floors, and launches. His work spans vehicle reviews and documentary features of the world’s fastest-moving automotive and green energy market.
