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 performanceXPeng’s latest VLA 2.0 rollout and robotaxi ambitionsBYD and CATL’s escalating battery and charging warWhy large Chinese SUVs are now targeting North America’s most profitable segmentsThe rise of Huawei-backed brands and the growing influence of Chinese tech suppliersHow global automakers are increasingly relying on Chinese software, batteries, and ADAS systems to stay competitiveThe 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 Timestamps00:00 🔥 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 tripSupport the show