Systemic Integration of EV and Autonomous Driving Technologies: A Study of China’s Intelligent Mobility Transition

This study presents a comprehensive technical and architectural analysis of how electrification fundamentally enhances and accelerates autonomous driving (AD) in the context of China’s intelligent mobility transformation. As the world’s largest EV market, China offers a unique ecosystem where battery electric vehicle (BEV) or hybrid platforms and AD systems co-evolve through deep system integration. The study highlights how EV architectures—characterized by high-voltage powertrains, simplified drivetrains, and always-on energy profiles—serve as natural enablers of sensor fusion, AI inference, over-the-air (OTA) software evolution, and real-time vehicle control. Drawing on evidence from industry case studies, startup dynamics, chip-level innovation, and regulatory frameworks, the paper examines how electrification reduces technical barriers in autonomous execution, ensures functional safety for ASIL-D systems, and supports resilient, scalable AD deployment. It also explores China’s distinctive public-private innovation model and its cross-sector integration with urban infrastructure, smart energy systems, and industrial automation. While substantial challenges remain—including long-tail scenarios, legal ambiguity, and uneven market readiness—this paper argues that the electrification-autonomy synergy represents not a coincidence, but a systemic convergence shaping the global trajectory of intelligent transportation.