XPeng Tech Day 2023 recap: X9 revealed, plus AI valet driver, two new flying cars, and bipedal robot
XPeng Inc. held its fifth annual Tech Day 2023 event in Guangzhou, China today, showcasing some of its latest milestones across a plethora of EV adjacent technologies. The keynote included full-autonomous driving, an AI-powered driving feature that will learn specific routes and take over for drivers, new software, an EV with an aircraft in the back, and even a new humanoid robot.
As promised, we tuned into XPeng’s 2023 Tech Day event live from China this morning, offering you the following recap before the english broadcast goes live later. We always look forward to XPeng’s 1024 Tech Day, because it’s usually when the Chinese electric mobility company showcases its newest technology, and it’s usually some pretty exciting stuff.
Last year’s event included the debut of 480 kW superchargers, an overhaul of its XPILOT ADAS, and even a robotic pony prototype designed to entertain children. Not to mention an EV/eVTOL crossover that can actually drive, park, engage propellers, and take to the sky.
XPeng ($XPEV) began teasing today’s event on social media last week, relaying that the public could expect updates pertaining to the company’s autonomous driving and ADAS capabilities, as well as advancements in robotics. A new technology teased in the banners for Tech Day 2023 however, was AI.
Following today’s presentation, we did in fact get updates to all of the technologies above and then some. As for the AI – XPeng has introduced a new ADAS feature that includes an AI valet driver to chauffeur passengers around. Lest we not forget the debut of the X9 MPV as well (seen below).
X9 first look, XPeng’s Tesla Bot competitor, and more
Since you’re already looking at the incoming X9, we will start there. XPeng teased a camo’d version of its first multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) back in early September after first announcing its nomenclature back in May.
The X9 arrives as XPeng Motors’ sixth EV model, joining the lineup this quarter behind the G6 crossover which has found early success. The Chinese automaker previously shared that it remained conscious as to how younger consumers might relate to an MPV when it designed the seven seat X9.
XPeng says the X9 will arrives as the world’s only MPV equipped with rear-wheel steering as a standard configuration, sitting atop the automaker’s 800V silicon-carbon (SiC) SEPA 2.0 platform. The MPV also features integrated front and rear aluminum body die-casting technology, and XNGP.
Speaking of XNGP, XPeng shared some encouraging progress during Tech Day 2023. Already available in five Chinese cities, this autonomous ADAS feature is currently undergoing testing to expand its availability for more urban roadways, and doing so quickly.
XPeng says it will roll out XNGP to 20 additional cities via OTA update by the end of November and intends to bolster that number to 50 before year’s end. Here’s a screen shot followed by video footage of XNGP autonomously navigating congested city streets in Southwestern China at night.
Last week, we were trying to surmise what sort of AI would debut during XPeng’s Tech Day 2023, and we now have out answer. Today, the company introduced AI Valet Driver – a new ADAS feature that learns and saves specific routes after the EV owner manually drives it once. The system can then take over and drive that same route for you autonomously going forward – specifically in city driving scenarios.
To finally achieve full-scenario ADAS, XPeng also introduced a slew of new architecture technologies. Per the company release:
XPeng’s prowess lies in its continuous leadership in research and development capabilities. At the Tech Day, the Company also presented its ultimate architecture for full-scenario ADAS – Xbrain, which is supported by XNet2.0, the next-gen perception architecture with spatial understanding, and XPlanner, the neural network-based planning and control system, to enable more human-like learning, thinking and actions.
Additionally, XPeng introduced a new smart cabin operating system called XOS Tianji, which “advances the human-machine co-driving experience,” integrating its large scale XGPT AI model into future EVs to deliver faster and more concise responses to driver and passenger voice commands. The XOS Tianji smart cabin system will debut on the aforementioned X9, which will be showcased further during Auto Guangzhou next month.
XPeng Tech Day 2023 features plenty of AI and a flying car
As promised, there was no shortage of AI news during XPeng’s 2023 Tech Day. In addition to Valet Driver and XGPT, the technology company introduced further innovations in another interesting segment – robotics.
During last year’s event, we saw a four-legged robot pony friend designed for children, followed by a more advanced “unicorn” robot. XPeng has gone bipedal this year, introducing its own humanoid bot called the PX5, developed in-house. This all-terrain, obstacle crossing bot can currently complete straight-leg and large-stride walking and has a dual-finger gripping force of 1 kg. Each arm can carry a maximum load of 3kg and XPeng is touting repeated positioning accuracy of 0.05 mm.
During the Tech Day presentation, XPeng shared images of the PX5 in multiple scenarios, including assisting in factories and welcoming guests at EV showrooms.
Last but not least, XPeng Inc.’s eVTOL affiliate AeroHT continues to make progress in genuine flying cars. Last year was pretty exciting, as we got to see AeroHT’s sixth-generation flying car. Not to be outdone, XPeng introduced two new flying car/eVTOL developments during Tech Day 2023.
The first is a sharper version of last year’s model that took flight – it’s a passenger EV that can deploy a foldable flight system from its roof and take off vertically – a true “flying car.” Check it out below.
In addition to the two-in-one model, XPeng has also introduced a rugged Cybertruck-esque EV with 6×6 all-wheel drive that houses a separate eVTOL aircraft in its rear. An extended range hybrid system can even recharge the aircraft while driving, giving owners the ability to cruise to elevation, park, and unload the EV’s “human-piloted air module.”
Complete with room for two and 270-degree spacial views, XPeng states this new eVTOL offers distributed, all-electric propulsion that meets all single-point safety requirements. You gotta check this one out.
That’s all from us, but there’s even more to unfold if you watch the entire keynote from China earlier today. The english translated broadcast should be live this tomorrow morning and available to view here.
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On today’s exciting episode of Quick Charge, we don’t even mention “you know who,” focusing instead on EV news from Rivian, Lucid, Nissan, Ford, and what it takes to make a MAN in the heavy truck space. Check it out!
Sure, Nissan is pushing back production estimates on its yet-to-begin-production Nissan LEAF and Ford’s EV sales were down significantly in Q2, but there’s more to the story than the “Faux News” crowd would have you believe. Plus: some new electric success stories from Porsche and a disappointing (but still cool) dive into some new home backup battery tech.
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he 30% federal solar tax credit is ending this year. If you’ve ever considered going solar, now’s the time to act. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. It has hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use, and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them.
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Battery electric cars sold today in Europe produce 73% less life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions than gas cars, even when factoring in production, according to new research from the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT). That’s a big improvement from 2021, when the gap was 59%.
Meanwhile, hybrids and plug-in hybrids haven’t made much progress. The study confirms what clean transportation advocates have been saying for years: If Europe wants to seriously slash emissions from its dirtiest mode of transport – ICE passenger cars, which pump out nearly 75% of the sector’s pollution – it needs to go all-in on battery EVs.
“Battery electric cars in Europe are getting cleaner faster than we expected and outperform all other technologies, including hybrids and plug-in hybrids,” said ICCT researcher Dr. Marta Negri. Credit the continent’s rapid shift to renewables and the higher energy efficiency of EVs.
The makeup of the EU’s power grid is changing fast. By 2025, renewables are expected to generate 56% of Europe’s electricity, up from 38% in 2020. And that’s just the beginning: the share could hit 86% by 2045. Since cars bought today could still be on the road two decades from now, the growing use of clean electricity will only boost EVs’ climate benefits over time.
Gas-powered cars, on the other hand, will stay mostly tied to fossil fuels as the cost and availability of biofuels and e-fuels are still uncertain.
Hybrids and plug-in hybrids only cut lifetime emissions by 20% and 30%, respectively, compared to gas cars. That’s partly because plug-in hybrids tend to run on gas more than expected. So while hybrids aren’t useless, they’re just not good enough if we’re serious about climate goals.
Countering EV myths with hard data
There’s been a lot of noise lately about whether EVs are really that green. The ICCT study takes aim at the bad data and misleading claims floating around, like ignoring how the grid gets cleaner over time or using unrealistic gas mileage figures.
It’s true that manufacturing EVs creates more emissions upfront – about 40% more than making a gas car, mostly due to the battery. But EVs make up for it quickly: that extra emissions load is usually wiped out after about 17,000 km (10,563 miles) of driving, which most drivers hit in a year or two.
“We’ve recently seen auto industry leaders misrepresenting the emissions math on hybrids,” said Dr. Georg Bieker, senior researcher at the ICCT. “But life-cycle analysis is not a choose-your-own-adventure exercise.”
ICCT’s new analysis includes emissions from vehicle and battery production and recycling, fuel and electricity production, and fuel consumption and maintenance. It even adjusts for how the electricity mix will change in the coming years – a key detail when measuring plug-in hybrid performance.
Read more: Volkswagen’s 47% BEV sales jump includes a 24% boost in the US
The 30% federal solar tax credit is ending this year. If you’ve ever considered going solar, now’s the time to act. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. It has hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use, and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them.
Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here.
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![Here's our closest look at the Kia EV2 caught testing in the Alps [Video]](https://i0.wp.com/electrek.co/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/07/Kia-EV2-closest-look.jpeg?resize=1200,628&quality=82&strip=all&ssl=1)
The EV2 may be Kia’s smallest electric vehicle, but it has a big presence on the road. Kia promises it won’t feel so small when you’re inside, thanks to clever storage and flexible seating. After a prototype was spotted testing in the Alps, we are getting our closest look at the Kia EV2 so far.
Kia EV2 spotted in the Alps offers our closest look yet
Kia first unveiled the Concept EV2 during its 2025 EV Day event (see our recap of the event) in April, a preview of its upcoming entry-level electric SUV.
Despite its small size, Kia claims it will “redefine urban electric mobility” with new innovative features and more. Kia has yet to say exactly how big it will be, but given it will sit below the EV3, it’s expected to be around 4,000 mm (157″) in length. The EV3 is 4,300 mm (169.3″) in length.
Looking at it from the side, it sits much higher than you’d expect, similar to Kia’s larger EV9. During an exclusive event at Milan Design Week in April, Kia gave a sneak peek of the interior.
Kia said the interior is inspired by a “picnic in the city,” or in other words, a retreat from the busy city life. With a flat-floor design and flexible seating, you can quite literally have a picnic in the city.
Although we’ve seen the EV2 out in public testing a few times, a new video provides the closest look at Kia’s upcoming electric SUV.
The video, courtesy of CarSpyMedia, shows an EV2 prototype testing in the Alps with European license plates. There’s also a “Testfahrt” sticker on the back, which translates to “Test Car” in German.
As the prototype drives by, you can get a good look at it from all angles. Like in past sightings, the front features stacked vertical headlights with Kia’s signature Star Map lighting. Even the rear lights appear to be identical to those of the concept.
The interior will feature Kia’s next-gen ccNC (connected car Navigation Cockpit) infotainment system. The setup includes dual 12.3″ instrument clusters and infotainment screens in a curved panoramic display. Depending on the model, it could also include an added 5.3″ climate control screen.
Last month, a crossover coupe-like model was spotted on a car carrier in Korea, hinting at a new variant. The new model featured a design similar to that of the Genesis GV60.
Kia’s CEO, Ho Sung Song, also recently told Autocar that a smaller, more affordable EV was in the works to sit below the EV2. Song said the new EV, priced under €25,000 ($30,000), was “one area we are studying and developing.”
With the EV4 and EV5 launching this year, followed by the EV2 in 2026, it could be closer toward the end of the decade before we see it hit the market. Next-gen EV6 and EV9 models are also due out around then.
The Kia EV2 is set to launch in Europe and other global regions in 2026. Unfortunately, it’s not expected to make the trip to the US.
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