How Xiaomi’s EV push exposed a culture of overwork
- ByStartupStory | November 4, 2025
Xiaomi’s EV Push Exposes a Culture of Overwork and Burnout Amid Ambitious Expansion
Xiaomi’s rapid transition from a smartphone manufacturer to a major player in the electric vehicle (EV) market has brought to light a relentless culture of overwork within the company, exposing the human toll behind its ambitious growth plans. The story of Wang Peizhi, a 34-year-old employee who collapsed and died after intense work on Xiaomi’s flagship EV store launches, has shed light on the enormous pressure faced by staff amid the company’s drive to compete in China’s crowded EV landscape.
Internal documents and employee testimonials reveal that Wang worked over 11.5 hours daily on average, managing a high volume of store retrofits and operational challenges just ahead of Xiaomi’s SU7 sedan debut. Despite local authorities ruling Wang’s death unrelated to work, his family attributes the early demise to the exhausting workload. The case offers a rare and poignant glimpse into Xiaomi’s demanding work environment.
Xiaomi requires employees to clock long hours under the widely criticized “996” regime — working from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., six days a week — a practice prevalent in China’s tech sector as companies battle fierce domestic and global competition. The urgency to scale EV operations, fight off rivals like BYD and Tesla, and meet ambitious delivery targets has driven a punishing pace of work.
The company’s EV push is led by billionaire co-founder Lei Jun, who has declared it his “last entrepreneurial project” and bet heavily on transforming Xiaomi into an auto manufacturing giant. Despite stock gains and promising sales milestones, Xiaomi faces increasing scrutiny over labor practices and employee well-being.
This overwork culture is not exclusive to Xiaomi; other Chinese tech giants including ByteDance, Meituan, and Tencent have also reported similar patterns of excessive hours. National debates and government interventions have sought to regulate “unwholesome work culture,” but enforcement remains uneven.
Xiaomi’s story highlights the broader tension within China’s tech industry — balancing rapid innovation and national strategic priorities with workers’ health and sustainable employment practices. Experts note that while hard work fueled China’s growth in the past, the current climate demands reforms to foster healthier workplaces without sacrificing competitiveness.
In summary, Xiaomi’s electrification ambitions have illuminated the significant human cost behind its swift corporate pivot. As the EV sector intensifies, the company faces the challenge of reconciling aggressive business goals with the well-being of its workforce, a story resonating across China’s tech landscape.
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