BYD, the world’s largest electric vehicle (EV) maker, has set its sights on achieving zero traffic accidents through self-developed autonomous driving technology, aiming to assemble next-generation cars affordable for mass consumers.

Founder and chairman Wang Chuanfu told a press conference in Shenzhen on Thursday that BYD’s “God’s Eye” advanced driver-assistance system would be priced at just 12,000 yuan (US$1,770). The system allows drivers to go “hands off”, with BYD pledging to cover any costs from traffic accidents when the technology is activated.

“There are roughly 1.19 million people who die in traffic accidents globally every year, and tens of millions more are injured. Our first goal is to achieve zero traffic accidents,” Wang said.

“A car is equipped with more than a dozen cameras, lidar and radar – the equivalent of dozens of eyes – monitoring road conditions around the clock without blind spots. Advanced driver-assistance never gets tired.”

Wang did not disclose a timetable for commercialisation.

The announcement underscores BYD’s push to secure a leading position in the future of mobility, with ambitions to mass-produce smarter cars at lower costs.

Wang said the company had built more than 6,100 flash-charging stations in total, the most among Chinese carmakers.