New Energy Vehicles Enter Era of Certainty and Uncertainty, with Tech Innovation Focused on User Experience

At the High-Level Forum on Intelligent and Electric Vehicle Development held on April 11, 2026, Lian Yubo, Chief Scientist of BYD Group, Senior Vice President, and President of the Automotive Engineering Research Institute, stated that the new energy vehicle (NEV) industry is currently in a phase marked by both certainty and uncertainty. He noted that sustained policy support, deepening consumer understanding, and the overarching trend toward full electrification represent clear directions for development, yet uncertainties remain regarding technological inflection points and industrial boundaries. Regarding the uncertainty surrounding technological inflection points, Lian highlighted that cutting-edge technologies such as next-generation batteries and intelligent chassis not only deliver tangible benefits—such as enhanced performance and optimized interior space—but could also disrupt the traditional rigid coupling among powertrain, chassis, and body structures. Future vehicle development, he emphasized, must prioritize user behavior patterns and spatial needs, de-emphasize conventional engineering and physical boundaries, and place user experience at the core. On the evolving industrial boundaries, Lian observed that automobiles are transforming from standalone transportation tools into intelligent entities integrating multiple functionalities. Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology will endow vehicles with mobile energy storage capabilities, expanding their role in the energy ecosystem. Meanwhile, rapid iterations in autonomous driving technology—if successfully commercialized—could shift the primary driver from humans to systems, triggering a paradigm shift in human-machine interaction. Combined with advancements in energy and AI capabilities, vehicles may even evolve into distributed computing units, posing heightened demands on system reliability, societal acceptance, and regulatory alignment. Lian stressed that BYD believes genuine competitiveness stems from long-term technological accumulation, and only by adhering to long-termism can companies secure success in the future. The company will continue investing heavily in R&D for electrification and intelligent technologies, refine its product portfolio, and remain committed to delivering safer, greener, and smarter mobility experiences for users.