We Drove a Chinese EV 1,200km Hands-Free — And the Future Is Already Here | China EVs & More Ep. 246

In this special on-the-road episode of China EVs & More, Tu Le and Lei Xing drive a Li Auto i6 from Beijing to Shanghai using Li Auto’s latest hands-free VLA intelligent driving system — experiencing firsthand how quickly China’s EV ecosystem is evolving.   The trip comes immediately after the massive Beijing Auto Show, where over 1,400 vehicles, 180+ debuts, and dozens of new brands highlighted how intense and competitive China’s EV market has become. Tu and Lei break down: • Li Auto’s new VLA Driver Model and real-world NOA performance • XPeng’s latest VLA 2.0 rollout and robotaxi ambitions • BYD and CATL’s escalating battery and charging war • Why large Chinese SUVs are now targeting North America’s most profitable segments • The rise of Huawei-backed brands and the growing influence of Chinese tech suppliers • How global automakers are increasingly relying on Chinese software, batteries, and ADAS systems to stay competitive The episode also captures the realities of driving EVs in China today — ultra-fast charging, crowded charging stations, nonstop product launches, and a level of EV infrastructure that still feels years ahead of most global markets. From autonomous driving and battery breakthroughs to the growing divide between China and the West, this episode offers a rare, firsthand look into the future of mobility — from inside the driver’s seat. ___ 🔑 SEO Keywords  China EVs & More, Li Auto i6 review, Beijing Auto Show 2026, China EV road trip, hands free driving China, Li Auto VLA Driver Model, XPeng VLA 2.0, BYD flash charging, CATL battery technology, Huawei smart driving, robotaxi China, autonomous driving China, EV charging China, Chinese electric vehicles, future of mobility, Tu Le, Lei Xing, Sino Auto Insights ___ ⏱️ YouTube Chapter Timestamps 00:00 🔥 Hook: 800KM hands-free road trip  00:30 Intro from inside the Li Auto i6  02:00 Beijing → Shanghai EV road trip explained  04:00 Li Auto VLA Driver Model hands-free demo  07:00 Charging experience in China today  10:00 Beijing Auto Show biggest takeaways  14:00 XPeng VLA 2.0 and robotaxi future  18:00 BYD vs CATL battery war  22:00 Huawei’s massive presence at the show  26:00 Why Chinese SUVs are targeting North America  30:00 Tesla vs China EV ecosystem discussion  34:00 EV infrastructure comparison: China vs West  38:00 The future of autonomous driving  42:00 Final thoughts from the road trip