X-by-Wire Big Chassis: Li Auto combines SBW & EMB

X-by-Wire "Big Chassis" Arrives—Li Auto Combines Steer-by-Wire and Brake-by-Wire

2026-03-05 From Henrik Bork | Translated by AI 3 min Reading Time

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Li Auto’s L9 Livis combines both systems, followed by Chery’s EX7 and Xpeng’s GX. The first Chinese automakers are adopting X-by-Wire technology. Among the suppliers, the first positional battles are beginning.

The L9 Livis model from Li Auto has both steer-by-wire and brake-by-wire.(Image: Li car) — The L9 Livis model from Li Auto has both steer-by-wire and brake-by-wire.
(Image: Li car)

Chassis technology is undergoing the most significant technological changes in years. This year, several new cars are expected in China that will introduce both Steer-by-Wire (SBW) and Brake-by-Wire (known as EMB for electro-mechanical brake). Both steering and braking will be controlled entirely electrically and electronically.

Li Auto’s "L9 Livis" is set to hit the market in the second quarter of this year. According to the manufacturer, it combines a SBW four-wheel steering system with a fully electric, or "dry," EMB system.

Braking with Shorter Response Time

With EMB or "electromechanical braking," there are no hydraulic lines or brake fluid anymore. The advantages of this new technology are seen as disruptive because the reaction time decreases from about 150 milliseconds with electrohydraulic brakes to just 80 to 100 milliseconds.

A rectangular steering wheel? Yes, Peugeot is serious about this concept. But there is a lot of technology behind it. (Image:Peugeot)

This new model from Li Auto is highly anticipated in the Chinese automotive industry because it combines both new technologies, bringing it very close to the goal of a completely hydraulic-free "Big Chassis" solution.

Chery Plans Series Production in 2026

A second highly anticipated market launch this year, possibly even earlier than the L9, is the already announced "Exeed EX7" from Chery. This vehicle will also be equipped with EMB. Chery is already marketing the EX7 in advance as the "world's first series vehicle with EMB." The emphasis here is on "series vehicle," likely meaning larger production runs, but still noteworthy.

For observers, it may not be as important who wins the race to be the absolute first. What matters more is the trend. And that trend in China is clearly moving towards further digitalization and the integration of safety-critical functions like steering and braking into multiple X-by-Wire systems simultaneously, leading to the "Big Chassis."

Xpeng Focuses on Steer-by-Wire

Another vehicle that confirms this trend is the new "Xpeng GX," which is set to hit the market between April and May of this year with steer-by-wire and rear-axle steering. Not all suppliers for these models are known yet, but it appears that both international and Chinese suppliers are involved.

The new Euro 7 standard sets requirements for the wear of service brakes. These can be met with some technical methods. (Image:Aumovio)

Consolidation Among Local Suppliers

Due to the enormous market opportunities arising from this evolution in chassis technology, supply chains in China are currently being reorganized. An example is the planned acquisition of a majority stake of nearly 51 percent in "Yubei Steering System Xinxiang Company Ltd." by "Bethel Automotive Safety Systems."

According to reports in Chinese trade media, Bethel is paying more than one billion yuan (over 120 million euros) for a slim majority. The goal of this alliance is to combine the respective strengths of both companies in the areas of steer-by-wire and brake-by-wire to be able to offer integrated chassis technology. They aim to become a system provider rather than just a supplier of individual components, in order to compete with German or international multinationals in the medium to long term.

Whether and to what extent this will be successful or when it will happen is currently not entirely clear. However, it is evident that the Chinese market for chassis technology will undergo significant changes thanks to X-by-Wire in this year or, at the latest, next year.

Automated Driving Requires Responsive Systems

Currently, electrohydraulic brakes (EHB) still dominate the mass market. Insiders expect that even those manufacturers transitioning to EMB will initially do so in smaller series. It may not be until 2027 that this technology makes significant inroads into the mass market. The same applies to SWB (Steer-by-Wire). The background of this shift is advancements in assistance systems and higher-level automated driving. Electrically controlled cars require systems that can reliably execute commands with minimal latency.

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The decoupling of rigid steering columns or traditional brake lines offers significant advantages. Autonomous driving at Levels 4 and 5 is unlikely to be realized without completely “dry” systems—this is the consensus among experts. "The first year of EMB series production has begun," writes the Chinese economic portal Meiri Jingji Xinwen. The same can already be said for SBW and Big Chassis, even though the current series are still small.