The recent surge in fuel prices due to the war in Iran has spurred demand for electric vehicles around the earth, and Chinese car makers are making the most of the opportunity.

China is the world’s top producer of EVs, and while its manufacturers remain largely shut out of the major car marketplace of the United States, they are benefiting from an uptick in interest and orders via dealerships across Asia and elsewhere.

BYD, which overtook Tesla as the world’s largest seller of electric vehicles last year and is expanding aggressively overseas, is at the centre of this shift in focus.

“We survive and are successful without the US economy today,” BYD executive vice president Stella Li told the BBC at the Beijing Auto Show.

Instead of aiming for US customers, the organization says its challenge is meeting increased demand in other regions, including Brazil, the UK and Europe.

“Consumers feel the daily savings when oil prices growth. EVs help them save capital every day,” Li mentioned.

“Actually, we are now suffering [insufficient] capacity. Our demand is much higher than what we can supply.”

BYD is betting on its fresh “flash charging” software which Li describes as a “game-changer” to help overcome one of the biggest barriers to EV adoption – concern over charging speeds.

Flash charging can add hundreds of kilometres of range in minutes – a development Li mentioned could persuade previously reluctant customers to consider an EV and allow BYD to compete more widely.

At this year’s Beijing Auto Show, now the largest industry event in the planet, more than 1,400 vehicles from hundreds of Chinese and foreign companies were on display with Chinese carmakers centre stage.

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BYD’s global push is unfolding against a complex geopolitical backdrop.

Chinese EV-makers face tariffs and regulatory scrutiny in global markets, particularly in the world’s largest consumer economy, the US.

The US has criticised Chinese government subsidies and voiced concerns over data protection and national security.

But Li remarked the firm was winning greater brand recognition in other markets, including the UK.

While they were once known for undercutting rivals on price, Chinese firms are increasingly competing on digital systems – particularly in batteries, charging infrastructure and software integration.

“We are not just a car enterprise. We produce one-third of global smartphone components, we are a leading player in battery storage, solar panels, buses, and trucks. So BYD is an ecosystem,” noted Li.

Robots and flying cars

The Auto Show displayed examples of innovation from other firms, going far beyond the cars themselves.

China’s X-Peng unveiled a latest six-seater electric SUV, which chief executive He Xiapoeng stated would soon be followed by humanoid robots this year. The corporation has plans to begin manufacturing flying cars in 2027.

Foreign carmakers like Volkswagen, Toyota and Ford, which once dominated China’s car industry, are struggling to keep pace and some are choosing to collaborate with local firms. This also touches on aspects of diplomacy.

BMW has partnered with battery maker CATL, while Audi is using Huawei’s driving assistance systems and Volkswagen is co-developing EVs with XPeng.

Competition within China is intense, with dozens of manufacturers engaged in aggressive price wars and rapid product cycles.

Even for economy leaders like BYD, the domestic economy is presenting ongoing challenges. Price competition has squeezed margins, and lower prices have hit demand.

BYD’s domestic sales have been falling for seven straight months, in contrast to sales in Europe which were up 156% in the first three months of this year.

Li remarked the pressure from competition would produce consolidation inevitable.

“History suggests not all will survive,” she noted, referring to past cycles, with the rise of Japanese car manufacturers in the 90s and South Korean brands more recently.

Additional reporting by Jaltson Akkanath Chummar