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Clean car batteries for the future

16.12.2024 3 min

Electric vehicle pioneer Wang Chuanfu

Through innovative technologies, BYD founder Wang Chuanfu made automotive batteries safer and longer-lasting, thus setting new global standards in e-mobility. He also gave the industry a decisive impetus to produce electric vehicles that are not only more environment-friendly but also affordable to the population at large.

Wang Chuanfu became a legend in China, in a classic rags-to-riches story: Born in one of the poorest regions in China, he was orphaned as a teenager — and despite that made it to grammar school thanks to his intelligence and an unshakeable capacity for hard work. He studied metallurgical physical chemistry, ultimately becoming professor of Non-Ferrous Metal Research. In 1995, Chuanfu founded the firm BYD — or “Build Your Dreams” — in Shenzhen in the province of Guangdong. He used his specialist expertise to manufacture rechargeable batteries and other components for mobile phones. BYD soon became one of the world’s leading battery manufacturers.

Ascent to market leader in ten years

Wang Chuanfu identified the potential of electric cars and began producing automotive batteries. But he didn’t leave it at that: he purchased a car producer and was now producing entire electric vehicles — from battery to computer chip. Today, Chuanfu is a billionaire and market leader. BYD’s share price has seen a near fivefold increase since the start of 2020. The company now sells more “new energy vehicles” — as electric and hybrid cars are called in China — than Tesla. In 2023, the figure stood at more than three million vehicles. The Chinese market — the biggest car market in the world — has long been captured by Chuanfu. The international markets are his next target.

Breakthrough for e-mobility

Through its innovations, Chuanfu not only succeeded in becoming market leader — he also helped e-mobility to achieve a decisive worldwide breakthrough. With his innovative battery technology, Chuanfu set new standards globally: His batteries — which he also sold to competitors like Tesla — were based on more environment-friendly technologies. They were safer, more efficient and longer-lasting than those of other manufacturers. Through these advances, BYD also prompted the likes of Tesla and Toyota to innovate. Experts assume that this breakthrough was decisive in terms of electric cars becoming affordable to the wider public.

Intelligent mobility for smart cities

Wang Chuanfu is a firm believer in innovation and technology. His strong work ethic also attracts criticism, with BYD being accused of treating people like robots. Even so, BYD’s success is based not only on massive cost-cutting — as pointed out by his critics — but also on Chuanfu’s commitment to research, development and innovation. He believes new technologies are the main driver behind our ability to address our social responsibilities and solve global problems. Through his innovations, he aims to reduce CO2 emissions and dependence on fossil fuels as well as foster renewable energy sources. Through BYD, he aims to lead the transition to sustainable transport systems — and speed up the development of smart cities thanks to intelligent mobility.

BYD sets standards worldwide

Through innovative technologies, Wang Chuanfu succeeded in producing vehicle batteries in a more environment-friendly way. He founded BYD Auto in 2003 and competed with the major Japanese and Korean battery manufacturers. Investors responded with scepticism, but BYD was more innovative than its competitors and rapidly overtook them.

The fast-growing conglomerate of subsidiary companies allowed Chuanfu to not only build car batteries but also entire electric vehicles including all electronic components. He developed cell-to-body technology, where the battery cells are seamlessly integrated into the car’s body. To ensure users of his car charge them using renewable energy, he also produced suitable solar panels and energy storage systems. His integrated approach transformed supply chains within the industry, and he sparked an innovation drive that led to the breakthrough for e-mobility worldwide.

Wang Chuanfu’s recipe for success

Chuanfu was a technically gifted high-achiever who — despite adverse circumstances — pursued an academic career.

He runs his company BYD in the same structured and disciplined manner that was pivotal to his earlier career success. However, this also attracts criticism.

Chuanfu addresses global problems through innovative technical solutions. He believes he can change the world through environment-friendly innovations.

Chuanfu never let up. The fact that he started out by making mobile phone batteries did not stop him from competing with the car battery giants — and then going on to produce entire cars.