BYD’s Luo Zhongliang: Intelligence Can Tackle Safety, Costs, and Driver Aging in Commercial Vehicles

On May 30, at the Fourth Future Mobility Pioneers Conference, Luo Zhongliang, Vice President of BYD Group, pointed out that although commercial vehicles account for a relatively small share of road traffic in China, their accident rates and associated losses are significantly higher than those of passenger cars. He highlighted three major pain points in the commercial vehicle sector: significant safety hazards, high operating costs, and severe driver aging. Commercial vehicles are large in size and have numerous blind spots. More than half of drivers operate for over ten hours per day, leading to pronounced fatigue-related driving risks. In sectors such as public transit and sanitation, labor costs account for more than 60% of total operating expenses. High accident rates drive up insurance premiums, with annual insurance costs for some new-energy tractor trucks exceeding RMB 40,000. Additionally, the industry faces challenges in attracting young workers, resulting in difficulties in recruiting drivers. Luo Zhongliang argued that intelligent technologies offer an effective solution to these challenges. In the smart bus segment, advanced driver-assistance systems and intelligent scheduling can help reduce safety risks and control operating costs. In closed environments like ports, autonomous operations are already ready for large-scale deployment. In long-haul freight—the largest sub-market—intelligent solutions can also alleviate range anxiety related to energy replenishment. He called on the industry to collaborate closely to advance toward the goal of “zero road traffic accidents.”