Crazy Features from Chinese EVs We’d Love to See in Canada

China has become a global technology superpower and a leader in innovation. The country dominates many fields, but its front-runner status in the electric vehicle (EV) industry might be of particular interest to Canadians.

With the recent news that Chinese EVs will be coming to Canada, here’s a look at some of China’s innovative and disruptive features that buyers here might love to experience.

Game-changing Battery Technology

Long EV charging times and limited driving range compared with many gas-powered vehicles have been significant barriers to EV adoption. Fuelling up at a gas station is also much faster than waiting for a vehicle to charge, even at the fastest charging stations currently available. But China’s forthcoming Chery Exeed Liefeng could remedy, if not eliminate, the typical EV owner’s range anxiety.

Set to go on sale later in 2026, the Exeed Liefeng is a high-performance, all-electric "shooting brake" luxury wagon. More importantly, it will be the world’s first production EV equipped with solid-state battery technology. Its battery pack has an energy density of 600 Wh/kg. That’s more than double the density of many current top-tier batteries (~250 Wh/kg). The result is an odometer-busting driving range of up to 1,500 kilometres, almost double the Lucid Air Touring’s 830-km range, the most range currently offered on an EV in Canada, and more than all gas vehicles sold here. For Canadian drivers concerned about reduced range in colder weather, Chery claims Exeed Liefeng can perform reliably in temperatures as low as -34 degrees Celsius.

While the current consensus is that the widespread availability of solid-state batteries in mainstream EVs is not expected until the 2030s, the combination of government-backed financing, control over raw materials, and early, aggressive innovation has given Chinese battery manufacturers a multi-year head start over global competitors. And Chery is not the only Chinese EV offering crazy new battery technology.

Brands like MG have begun delivering vehicles, such as the MG4 Anxin Edition, the world's first mass-produced electric hatchback using a semi-solid-state battery.

Then there’s the Nio ET9. It uses a 900V-plus charging architecture that supports peak charging power up to 600 kW.

And don't forget the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra. Its battery can be recharged from 10 to 80 per cent charge in just 11 minutes.

Higher Performing EVs

High-performance electric vehicles appeal to drivers with blistering, instantaneous acceleration that often surpasses that of traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) cars.

From the 1,019-horsepower Porsche Taycan Turbo GT to the 1,020-horsepower Tesla Model S Plaid, to the most powerful EV sold in North America, the 1,234-horsepower Lucid Air Sapphire, high performance is an EV calling card.

Yet, at a stoplight, some new Chinese EVs make these vehicles seem like a Mitsubishi Mirage towing a trailer.

At the top of China’s high-performance EV list are BYD’s Yangwang U9 and U7 models. They use four independent electric motors (one per wheel), with the U9 Extreme variant reportedly producing up to 2,977 horsepower.

There's also Xiaomi’s self-developed high-revving, high-power main drive, the HyperEngine V8S e-motor, featuring a maximum rotational speed of 27,200 rpm.

Beyond significant power, some Chinese EVs are also pushing the envelope in adopting advanced chassis features.

BYD’s DiSus-X Intelligent Body Control is a fully active suspension that allows vehicles to adjust height in milliseconds, balance on three wheels if a tire goes flat, and even "jump" off the ground.

In addition to its aforementioned extreme charging power, the Nio ET9 is China's first mass-produced car to feature steer-by-wire technology and a hydraulic, fully active suspension.

Innovative Electric Infrastructure

It’s one thing to own an EV with generous driving range and an ultra-fast charging system, but Chinese automakers are also heavily invested in delivering a holistic EV ownership experience by actively engaging in the country’s charging infrastructure.

While there are no battery-swapping systems available to Canadian EV owners, China’s Nio is rolling out its fifth-generation battery-swapping stations this year. The system isn’t proprietary to Nio vehicles; the battery-swapping stations are compatible with multiple brands.

Raising the Bar on Luxury

No Chinese-made EV better encapsulates the latest features than the Maextro S800, a flagship luxury sedan positioned as a competitor to ultra-luxury vehicles from established brands like Rolls-Royce and Mercedes-Maybach.

The Maextro S800 features a range of ultra-luxury amenities, including a 40-inch rear screen, zero-gravity seats, and over 40 kilograms of sound insulation. And its lounge-like cabin is awash in full-grain calf leather, natural walnut wood, and hand-polished crystal elements.

Where the Maestro shines as a technological wonder is its use of an advanced "brain" technology, including an AI-driven, proactive suspension that adjusts to road conditions before encountering bumps. The vehicle uses 36 sensors, including 192-line LiDAR, for 3D “fusion perception” of its surroundings. LiDAR is also used to detect obstacles and adjust the luxobarge’s doors from an opening angle up to 77 degrees.