Professor Hongming Xu is Chair of Energy and Automotive Engineering and Head of the Vehicle Research Centre at the University of Birmingham.

He earned his PhD and completed postdoctoral research at Imperial College London in the 1990s before transitioning to industry. At Jaguar and Land Rover, he served as a team leader and later as a technical specialist. In 2005, Professor Xu joined the University of Birmingham as a Reader and was promoted to full Professor in 2009. He currently chairs the Hybrid and Electric Propulsions Committee at SAE International and the Global Alliance of Overseas Chinese Society of Automotive Engineers, while also serving as Vice President of the Association of British Chinese Professors. A globally recognized leader in vehicle research, Professor Xu specializes in efficient, low-/zero-carbon powertrains. His most significant scientific contribution is the pioneering use of AI in real-time powertrain control and calibration technology. He developed the world’s first AI-driven software for production engines, a breakthrough at a time when AI applications in engineering were still in their early stages. This innovation has had a profound impact on industry, bridging theory and practice and advancing product development on a global scale.

With over 500 publications, his experimental and modelling studies rank among the most highly cited in his field, reflecting his strong academic influence. His contributions to sustainable transport earned him the title of "Birmingham Hero" in 2012 for outstanding research achievements.