At the bustling Horgos Port in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, an unlikely workforce of 4,000 part-time drivers – including farmers, factory workers, and even adventurous tourists – is rewriting the rules of cross-border trade. Their mission: Safely deliver electric vehicles (EVs) from Chinese manufacturers to Kazakhstan, ensuring each car arrives "as flawless as a showroom model," according to local logistics coordinator Aynur Memet.
The operation combines cutting-edge efficiency with human ingenuity. Drivers leverage China's visa-free transit policies and streamlined QR code customs clearance to complete round trips in under 48 hours. "I earn more transporting EVs monthly than I did farming all year," shared Kurbanjan Abdurehim, a cotton farmer turned part-time driver, while polishing a BYD sedan's hood.
This grassroots network has become vital infrastructure for China's EV expansion into Central Asia, with over 15,000 vehicles transported since January 2024. Regional commerce official Zhang Wei notes: "It's not just about moving cars – it's building trust through personal accountability at every delivery." The model is now being studied for potential replication along other Belt and Road Initiative trade corridors.
