Posted on 05/24/2026 11:28:21 AM PDT by Red Badger
1,102,210 views May 12, 2026 Everyone online keeps saying Chinese EVs are cheap knockoffs that could never compete with Tesla, Mercedes, BMW, or the rest of the world. So I flew 9,000 miles to China to see for myself.
From self-driving cars and massive EV factories to battery technology and infrastructure that honestly shocked me, this trip completely changed the way I look at the future of electric cars. I thought I knew what to expect… I was wrong.
We got a behind the scenes look at CATL and the battery tech powering the future of electric cars. EV batteries are changing fast, and CATL is a huge part of why.
We checked out XPeng’s electric cars in China to see what the future of EVs might look like and whether these cars live up to the hype.
AI-generated video summary | Quality and accuracy may vary.
Rich Rebuilds explores China's electric vehicle infrastructure, from advanced battery technology and swap stations to diverse transportation options in Guangzhou. This journey examines the rapid development of self-driving hardware and safety standards within the local automotive industry, comparing these experiences with North American expectations.
(Excerpt) Read more at youtube.com ...
They are great as a source of heat during a hard winter.
While I was in Australia, SUVs made in China were pretty cheap. The word was support was non-existent and warranties were not reliable.
It was one of the reasons they were inexpensive.
While I was in Australia, SUVs made in China were pretty cheap. The word was support was non-existent and warranties were not reliable.
Also you have to charge them every two hours.
They cost less than 1/3 of what my last batteries (I build my own packs) cost (and 1/5 of what replacing them with the same kind would cost now, and have about a 1/3 greater Amp Hour (or watt hour, either way) capacity than the old batteries did when new. I haven't put many miles or stress on them yet, but so far I'm quite pleased with them.
And, I've been running Lead-Acid batteries in my off grid solar system for 15 years, but the basic CATL batteries are cheap enough that the next bank of L-A batteries I replace will likely be CATL LiFes.
I can't imagine buying a Chinese Electric Car for my 'go to town' or 'road trip!' vehicle, but I likely will buy a lot more Chinese batteries.... At least until Musk or someone opens a 'Batteries-R-Us' for American made batteries at competitive prices nearby.
Hey, I thought the “cats” was funny! Laughter is good medicine, so thank you!
FRegards
The difference in price is that the Chinese people don’t expect to be paid $75 per hour tightening screws.
The difference in price is that the Chinese people don’t expect to be paid $75 per hour tightening screws.
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Teslas are not made that way. Might be true for internal combustion engines. Musk says that the Chinese listen to him more carefully than anyone else. chinese ev cars became very efficient after tesla created their factory in China and people who worked at tesla factory went over and worked for chinese ev makers.
Interesting. Good to know.
Well, it’s anyone’s choice, but I think about the last feature I’d want in a car would be a Chinese self driving vehicle. But, it’s a person’s free choice.
I can’t imagine hanging around to charge my EV car battery on a long road trip. It would be a maddening waste of time for me.
That’s reason enough not to own own one. My “On Star” system is disconnected because of cost of subscribing & very little use for it. Also the vehicle is 21 years old, so what’s the point?
I have a 21 year old On Star equipped vehicle also. Never had a subscription, bought vehicle used. Since they no longer have 2G connection I guess that means they have stopped spying on me.
How did oldtech disconnect On Star? I wonder if mine still draws power?
The earth keeps spinning so we are all going round and round.
In the next 100 years who will need cars, etc.? Hell they are
keeping people in outer space going round and round as they
circle the sun. Swallow this tablet as it provides all you need
for energy. Here take this tablet and your next child will be
born. You prefer a girl or boy? Such is life or what it may be
like in a couple hundred years. Hell them old dead bones may
rise again as time moves on.
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