China’s fast-growing new energy vehicle (NEV) market has become increasingly competitive, with features such as zero-gravity seats, in-car karaoke systems and mini fridges now seen as standard offerings. The latest innovation, however, has taken social media by surprise.
Chongqing-based EV manufacturer SAILISI has recently obtained approval for a utility model patent titled “vehicle-mounted toilet and vehicle”, which has quickly gone viral online.
According to information from China’s National Intellectual Property Administration, the design features an emergency portable toilet integrated under a vehicle seat. The system uses a sliding rail mechanism that allows the toilet unit to be pulled out when needed and hidden back under the seat after use, aiming to minimise space usage inside the cabin.
The announcement has triggered widespread discussion on Chinese social media platforms, with some users joking that long traffic jams would no longer be an issue. Others, however, raised practical concerns about hygiene and ventilation, questioning how waste management would be handled in a confined vehicle environment.
SAILISI is a well-known Chinese NEV brand, and its “AITO” series has seen strong sales growth in recent years. In January 2026 alone, the company reported over 43,000 vehicle deliveries, marking a significant year-on-year increase.
The brand has also previously attracted international attention. In 2023, former Taiwan leader Ma Ying-jeou visited SAILISI’s smart manufacturing facility in Chongqing, where he test-drove an electric vehicle co-developed with Huawei and described the ride as “comfortable”.
The newly publicised toilet patent has once again placed the company in the spotlight, highlighting both the rapid pace of automotive innovation in China and the increasingly unconventional direction of in-car convenience features.
