Guangxi, China Floods Prompt EV Owners to Rescue Communities

Typhoon Maysak brought record rains to Guangxi province in southern China, causing historic flooding that killed at least 39 people, left 130,000 homeless and affected 375,000 residents. Owners of BYD electric and plug‑in hybrid SUVs, including the Denza N9 and models from the Fang Cheng Bao off‑road division, organized volunteer convoys to deliver food, water and other supplies across inundated roads. The vehicles' high‑ground clearance and IP67/IP68‑rated battery packs allowed them to traverse water up to a meter deep, though BYD warned that deliberate driving in floodwaters remains risky.

In addition to transport, drivers used the cars' vehicle‑to‑load (V2L) capability to power phones, lights and small appliances for households without electricity. A 60 kWh battery can supply about 3.3 kW for nearly 18 hours, enough for basic home needs during an outage. Social media showed scenes of Geely and BYD EVs acting as mobile power stations, and volunteer groups coordinated their efforts through messaging apps. Experts noted safety concerns with improvised connections, but the episode highlighted the growing role of electric‑vehicle technology in emergency response as China’s EV sales reached 62.9% of new cars in June 2026.