Chinese auto giant BYD is planning to expand its charging infrastructure across Mexico, introducing ultra-fast chargers capable of delivering 400 kilometers of range in just five minutes.
Mexico is a vital market for BYD, China's largest electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, yet the company faces barriers to wider EV adoption in the country, including the sparsity of charging stations, which makes long-distance travel between cities a problem for local drivers.
"It's the same sensation as when you are out of your house and you see that your phone has only 10 percent battery, and you know that you're going to lose it. I have that feeling when I'm out of the city," said Daniel Lemus, a driver in Mexico City.
Lemus bought his first EV -- a model by BYD -- a year ago, which qualified him to drive for a premium ride service in Mexico City. Yet, the charging infrastructure in his country remains a daily concern. Analysts have a term for this.
"'Range anxiety' is a psychological effect that has come about with the arrival of electric vehicles. It's the fear of running out of battery, and it's very common," said Filiberto Tamez, electric mobility analyst.
Tamez believes education and infrastructure are key to overcoming this obstacle to widespread EV adoption.
"This is a new technology and we have to learn to manage it. But today, charging points are available in airports, homes, banks, supermarkets. The infrastructure has grown a lot," he said.
BYD also hopes to expand its manufacturing operations within Mexico.
"Mexico is always the largest auto manufacturer in the whole American region. The industry and the supply chain is more mature, and labor -- the talent -- is more mature. I hope we are leading the way just like we are doing in China," said Li Ke, BYD executive vice president.
Chinese auto maker BYD to expand charging facilities across Mexico
On the U.S.-Iran situation, the priority is to safeguard and implement the memorandum of understanding, maintain the momentum of negotiations, and work for an early comprehensive agreement agreed by both the United States and Iran, accepted by regional countries, and welcomed by the international community, said Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Tuesday.
Wang made the remarks when meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud in Beijing, adding the current ceasefire remains fragile, but talking is better than fighting, and dialogue is better than confrontation.
China welcomes the launch of U.S.-Iran negotiations, said Wang, adding China stands ready to work with Saudi Arabia to contribute to easing tensions and lasting peace and stability in the region. China is also willing to support Saudi Arabia in playing a bigger role in international and regional affairs, and join hands to uphold the authority of the United Nations and build a more just and equitable global governance system.
On bilateral relations, Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said Saudi Arabia is an important member of Arab and Islamic countries, and an indispensable important force in the multipolarization of the world.
Wang said China has always regarded Saudi Arabia as a strategic partner that treats each other as equals, respects and trusts each other, and pursues win-win cooperation. The China-Saudi Arabia comprehensive strategic partnership, since its establishment a decade ago, has become a model of win-win cooperation among Global South countries, he added.
China is ready to maintain high-level exchanges with Saudi Arabia, and give full play to the strategic guiding role of the leaders of both countries in growing China-Saudi relations, said Wang, calling on both sides to make full use of the high-level joint committee, to plan in a coordinated way and advance pragmatic cooperation in all fields.
He went on to say that the two sides should leverage complementary advantages, optimize the trade structure, scale up two-way investment, promote green development, and support each other's modernization.
The Saudi foreign minister said that the Saudi side highly cherishes relations with China and firmly abides by the one-China principle. He said people-to-people and cultural exchanges with China will be strengthened, and that pragmatic cooperation in fields such as investment, finance, energy and artificial intelligence will be deepened.
Saudi Arabia supports the series of major global initiatives proposed by China, and stands ready to engage in close multilateral coordination with China and safeguard the common interests of developing countries, he said.
The Saudi side appreciates the constructive role China has played in promoting the de-escalation of the situation in the Middle East, and looks forward to working with China to bring peace and stability to the region at an early date, he said.
China calls for maintaining momentum of negotiations between U.S., Iran: FM
