Intelligent Connected Vehicles to Become Largest Physical AI Agents, with 120 Million New Units in Five Years

From April 11 to 12, the High-Level Forum on Intelligent Electric Vehicle Development (2026) was held at Phase II of the China National Convention Center in Beijing, under the theme “Advancing the Intelligent, Green, Integrated, and International Development of New Energy Vehicles.” Han Zhenwei, General Manager of Alipay’s Auto Lifestyle division, stated at the forum that automobiles could become the first physical carrier of AI agents integrated into daily life. He noted that between 2026 and 2030, approximately 120 million new intelligent connected vehicles—covering both new energy and conventional fuel-powered cars—are expected to be added, with their market penetration rate continuing to rise. According to the latest data, users now spend an average of over 2.5 hours per day using smart cockpits. Han believes that over the next five years, vehicles will emerge as the largest-volume physical carriers of AI agents, distinguished from traditional smart devices by their mobility, execution capabilities, and interactive functions.