Chinese automaker Seres has been granted a patent for what it describes as an “in-vehicle toilet”, according to a recent filing with China’s intellectual property authorities.
The design, submitted on April 10, outlines a system that allows a compact toilet unit to slide out from beneath a passenger seat, either through a button or voice command. Engineers behind the concept say it is intended to meet user needs during long journeys, camping trips or situations where occupants remain inside the vehicle for extended periods.
It remains unclear whether the feature will make it into production models. Seres has not announced any vehicle that will include the system, and the patent does not guarantee commercial use.
Still, the proposal highlights the increasingly experimental direction of China’s electric vehicle industry. As competition intensifies, manufacturers are adding unconventional features such as massage seats, in-car entertainment systems and even refrigerators in an effort to attract buyers in a crowded market.
According to the filing, the toilet system would include a ventilation mechanism with a fan and exhaust pipe designed to direct odours outside the vehicle. Waste would be collected in a storage tank that requires manual emptying. A heating element would also be used to evaporate liquid waste and dry solids.
The unit is designed to remain hidden when not in use, stored beneath the seat to preserve interior space. This approach suggests a focus on practicality, particularly for larger vehicles such as SUVs, where interior flexibility is a selling point.
Although rare in standard passenger cars, in-vehicle toilets are not entirely new. Similar concepts have appeared in long-distance coaches, and historical examples exist. Auction house Sotheby’s has previously referenced a 1950s version of the Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith that included both a television and a built-in toilet.
Seres, headquartered in Chongqing, primarily produces electric SUVs through its own brand and its subsidiary Aito. While most of its sales are concentrated in China, the company has expanded into markets across Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
The broader context is a rapidly evolving EV landscape in China, where dozens of companies are competing in what has become a price-driven market. Analysts have warned that many firms could struggle to survive as margins tighten.
Companies such as BYD have managed to remain profitable, but others face growing financial pressure. Against this backdrop, features like Seres’ patented in-car toilet reflect an industry searching for new ways to differentiate itself.
Whether consumers will embrace such innovations remains uncertain, but the patent underlines how far automakers are willing to go to redefine the driving experience.