Xiaomi's EV Ambition Comes at a Deadly Price

Xiaomi's rapid pivot to electric vehicles (EVs) has come at a human cost, as the wife of a worker alleges that the intense schedule contributed to his death last year. According to sources, the worker, identified as 35-year-old Li Ming, was a key member of the team responsible for developing Xiaomi's first mass-market EV, the Xiaomi POCO EV, which was unveiled in September 2024. The wife of Li Ming, who wishes to remain anonymous, told Bloomberg that her husband had been working long hours, often exceeding 12 hours a day, for months leading up to his death. "He was under a lot of pressure to meet the deadlines, and he was working non-stop," she said. "I remember him coming home one day and just collapsing on the couch. He was exhausted." Industry insiders confirm that the intense schedule was a result of Xiaomi's aggressive push into the EV market. The company had set ambitious targets to become a major player in the sector, and the development team was under pressure to deliver. "The company was racing against time to meet the deadlines, and the team was working around the clock to get the product ready," said a former Xiaomi employee, who wished to remain anonymous. Xiaomi's pivot to EVs is part of a broader trend in the Chinese tech sector, where companies are increasingly investing in emerging technologies such as electric vehicles, artificial intelligence, and renewable energy. The sector has seen a surge in investment and innovation in recent years, with companies such as Tesla, NIO, and BYD leading the charge. However, the human cost of this rapid growth is a concern. The Chinese tech sector has a reputation for long working hours and intense pressure, with many employees working 12-hour days, 6 days a week. This has led to a growing number of cases of burnout, depression, and even death. Xiaomi has not commented on the allegations, but the company has said that it is committed to providing a safe and healthy work environment for its employees. The company has also implemented measures to reduce working hours and improve work-life balance, including flexible working hours and mental health support programs. The development of the Xiaomi POCO EV has been a major success for the company, with the vehicle receiving positive reviews from critics and customers alike. However, the human cost of its development raises important questions about the ethics of the tech industry and the impact of rapid growth on employees. As the industry continues to evolve and grow, it is essential that companies prioritize the well-being of their employees and ensure that they are not sacrificing their health and safety for the sake of innovation and profit.