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Elon Musk has been dethroned! The world's fastest electric vehicle is now Chinese and breaks speed records

Published 07/11/2024 às 14:07
Electric vehicle, Elon Musk
Photo: Reproduction

China launches HiPhi A, the world's fastest electric vehicle, leaving Elon Musk's Tesla Roadster behind with impressive acceleration

In recent years, the automotive market has undergone a silent revolution. The electric car, once considered a luxury or a curiosity, has gained popularity. force and importance as a sustainable alternative. However, companies like Tesla, Elon Musk, who led the industry, are now facing challenges and new competitors.

Chinese tech giant Xiaomi is entering the scene with an electric vehicle that promises to shake up the industry.

Elon Musk and Tesla: vision and trajectory

Elon Musk is undoubtedly a visionary. Since the 90s, when he was a student at the University of Pennsylvania, he has been thinking about renewable energy and alternatives to the use of fossil fuels.

This thinking evolved into the founding of Tesla Motors in 2003. Since then, Elon Musk has sought to lead the transition to sustainable mobility. Tesla has become one of the largest manufacturers of electric vehicles, with innovative models and advanced technologies.

“Soon society will have no choice but to focus on renewable energy sources,” Elon Musk said in one of his academic papers.

However, Tesla's reign may be under threat as other companies, especially China, are increasingly coming up with competitive alternatives.

Is Elon Musk worried? Xiaomi's entry into the automotive market

Xiaomi, known worldwide for its smartphones and electronic devices, surprised everyone by announcing its entry into the automotive sector.

In 2023, the company launched its first electric car model, the Xiaomi SU7, during an event lasting almost four hours, which celebrated the beginning of its journey in the automobile market.

With the SU7 Ultra, a prototype of what could become the world's fastest four-door electric car, Xiaomi has shown that its ambitions go beyond the electronics market.

CEO Lei Jun was emphatic: “By working hard over the next 15 to 20 years, we will become one of the top 5 automakers in the world.” This goal reflects the seriousness with which Xiaomi is still taking this new venture.

The technological superiority of the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra

The Xiaomi SU7 Ultra stands out for its impressive specifications. Equipped with the company's in-house designed V8 electric engine, the car has a power of up to 1.548 HP.

Xiaomi SU7 Ultra — Photo: Disclosure

The vehicle goes from 0 to 100 mph in just 1,97 seconds, reaching a top speed of 350 mph. In comparison, Tesla models like the Model S Plaid perform excellently, but they don't quite reach these numbers.

Another interesting aspect is Xiaomi's partnership with battery manufacturer CATL, one of the world leaders in energy storage technology.

The battery developed by CATL for the SU7 Ultra is capable of providing enough energy for the car to maintain its performance in races and high-speed tests, such as on the famous Nürburgring circuit in Germany.

Achievement at the Nürburgring and impact on the market

In less than a year, Xiaomi has set the fastest lap time for a four-door car on the Nürburgring Nordschleife, beating Tesla's time by 40 seconds.

This achievement is not only a milestone for the company, but also for the electric car industry as a whole, as it shows that electric vehicles are achieving performance levels comparable to (or even superior to) those of combustion-powered sports cars.

Xiaomi SU7 Ultra features yellow details in the cabin — Photo: Disclosure

However, it is important to remember that the SU7 Ultra is still a prototype. Unlike Tesla models, which are ready for production and sale to the public, Xiaomi's car was created with a focus on performance.

It is not yet available on the market, but the company makes it clear that it intends to develop a production vehicle based on this prototype.

Tesla vs Xiaomi: The Battle for Innovation

Tesla has a significant advantage in the electric vehicle market, both in terms of experience and the infrastructure already required, especially in the United States and Europe.

Its models are known for high-tech autonomous driving, a global charging system and a solid customer support network.

On the other hand, Xiaomi has an interesting differentiator: its ability to innovate in different sectors, creating affordable and high-quality technological products. This business model is well accepted in China and other emerging markets, which can give the company a competitive advantage.

Furthermore, the Chinese market is the largest consumer of electric vehicles in the world, and the local government encourages the development of green technologies. This creates a favorable environment for Xiaomi to stand out.

Future of the car market

Emerging competitors like Xiaomi in the electric car market raise an important question: what does the future hold for the industry? Big automakers will have to accelerate their innovation to compete with tech companies now entering the sector.

Xiaomi, for example, has already positioned itself alongside prestigious brands such as Tesla and Porsche.

Furthermore, Xiaomi’s advance could force Tesla to adjust its strategy. Although the American company still has a large share of the market, the rise of new alternatives could undermine its dominance. For Elon Musk, who has always championed innovation and progress, this is yet another challenge to face.

Conclusion

The battle for the electric vehicle market is just beginning. Tesla remains a major player in the sector, but the entry of competitors such as Xiaomi promises to bring more innovation and competitiveness to the industry.

As consumer technology benefits from the variety of options and the evolution of technology, the market becomes more dynamic and attractive to new investors.

With the development of new models such as the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra, the electric vehicle industry is becoming increasingly robust and diverse. Companies such as Tesla and Xiaomi have led this change, bringing a vision of a future where sustainable mobility is affordable and efficient.

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Fabio Lucas Carvalho

Journalist specializing in a wide range of topics, such as cars, technology, politics, shipbuilding, geopolitics, renewable energy and economics. I have been working since 2015 with prominent publications in major news portals. My degree in Information Technology Management from Faculdade de Petrolina (Facape) adds a unique technical perspective to my analyses and reports. With over 10 thousand articles published in renowned media outlets, I always seek to bring detailed information and relevant insights to the reader. For story suggestions or any questions, please contact me by email at flclucas@hotmail.com.

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