Three lightning strikes were successfully endured by The Electric Girl, mystifying scientists about her unique resistance.
In a remarkable display of resilience and innovation, a BYD Song Plus electric car managed to withstand a lightning strike in the Chinese city of Beihai, underscoring the robustness of Chinese-made vehicles and their growing global presence.
The incident, which was captured on a dashcam of another vehicle, occurred as the electric car was slowly crossing a parking lot. Despite being struck by three bolts of lightning, the car's metal body acted as an electrostatic shield, channeling the high-voltage current around the exterior (a phenomenon known as the Faraday cage effect). This protective mechanism ensured the safety of the vehicle's occupants, who remained unharmed.
The Faraday cage effect works by distributing the electrical charge of the lightning strike around the car's surface, preventing the current from passing through the interior and shielding the occupants inside from electric shock. This protection is a testament to the engineering prowess of Chinese automakers, who have been expanding their global presence despite US tariffs.
The success of Chinese brands in securing sponsorships for major international events also suggests a growing influence on the global stage. Five out of the thirteen official global sponsors for Euro 2024 are Chinese: BYD, Ant Group (the parent company of Alipay), Vivo, Hisense, and AliExpress (a subsidiary of Alibaba's e-commerce). Financial Times reports that the Olympics in Paris and the Euro 2024 football tournament provided valuable opportunities for Chinese companies to boost their global profile.
One such company is AliExpress, which appointed former England footballer David Beckham as its brand ambassador for the competitions. Chinese brands have also used high-profile brand ambassadors, like David Beckham, to increase their global appeal. Mengniu and Alibaba have long-term sponsorship agreements, while new sponsors include smartphone producers Vivo and BYD.
Smaller brands like Heytea and Chagee opened tea rooms to attract Olympic spectators, further demonstrating the strategic approach of Chinese companies in expanding their global footprint.
In summary, the car's metal body provides electrostatic shielding by channeling lightning current around the exterior (Faraday cage effect), protecting occupants inside from electrical harm. This incident serves as a testament to the resilience and innovation of Chinese-made vehicles and their growing influence on the global stage.
- The robustness of Chinese-made vehicles, such as the BYD Song Plus, was demonstrated when it withstood a lightning strike, using the Faraday cage effect to channel the high-voltage current around its exterior and protect its occupants.
- Chinese automakers, like BYD, have been expanding their global presence despite US tariffs, showcasing their innovative engineering solutions like the Faraday cage effect.
- By securing sponsorships for major international events, Chinese brands like BYD, Ant Group, Vivo, Hisense, and AliExpress are increasing their global influence and profile.
- Chinese companies, such as AliExpress, are leveraging high-profile brand ambassadors like David Beckham to boost their global appeal and expand their footprint, as demonstrated by their partnerships with brands like Mengniu, Alibaba, Vivo, and BYD.
