BYD's Electric Car Drives 9,300 Miles From Rome to Hong Kong

A convoy of electric cars is making automotive history by completing a modern-day Silk Road journey, traveling 9,300 miles from Rome to Hong Kong without traditional fuel.

BYD, the world's largest electric vehicle maker, launched the expedition on June 13 with its upgraded Z9GT models. The fleet has already crossed Italy, Croatia, Serbia, and Turkey, with plans to traverse 12 countries total before arriving in Hong Kong around July 25.

The journey mirrors Marco Polo's legendary travels from over 750 years ago, but with a 21st-century twist. These vehicles run on BYD's Blade Battery 2.0 technology, which can travel an impressive 643 miles on a single charge, the longest range of any mass-produced electric car.

The timing of this demonstration couldn't be more significant. As global energy markets face uncertainty from the US-Israel war with Iran, drivers worldwide are increasingly looking toward battery-powered alternatives to traditional vehicles.

The route includes stops in Vatican City, Hungary, Bulgaria, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and mainland China. Each country represents another opportunity to show that electric vehicles can handle the demands of real-world, long-distance travel across varied terrain and climates.

The Ripple Effect

BYD's success story extends far beyond this single journey. The company's overseas sales jumped 82.5 percent in the first half of this year compared to last year, reaching 471,091 vehicles delivered outside China.

That surge means international sales now account for 42.5 percent of BYD's total deliveries, more than doubling from just 20 percent last year. The shift signals growing global confidence in electric vehicle technology and Chinese manufacturing quality.

The Blade Battery 2.0 technology powering these vehicles uses a special arrangement that increases energy density while reducing the risk of overheating, one of the biggest safety concerns in electric vehicle design. This innovation makes long-distance electric travel not just possible but practical for everyday drivers.

As the convoy continues eastward, it's proving that the infrastructure and technology for clean transportation have arrived, making zero-emission road trips across continents a present-day reality rather than a future dream.