BYD launches new generation Blade Battery with rapid charging in cold environments

Chinese carmaker BYD's chairman Wang Chuanfu on Thursday launched the second-generation of the Blade Battery, with what he says is a "disruptive" charging ‌speed in ⁠extremely ⁠cold environments.

The launch comes as the electric ​vehicle maker seeks to regain momentum in an increasingly ​competitive domestic market after a recent sales downturn.

The new Blade Battery can be charged from 20% to 97% ⁠in less than ‌12 minutes in temperatures as low as minus 20 degrees Celsius, ⁠enabling a driving range of 777 kilometres (483 miles), Wang told an event from the company's headquarters in Shenzhen.


The batteries also are designed with higher energy density enabling a driving range of more than 1,000 km for ‌BYD's luxury Denza Z9GT and Yangwang U7 models, Wang said, adding the batteries had also passed safety ⁠tests exceeding China's new national standards.

BYD also aims to expand its "Flash Charging" network to 20,000 stations ​by the end of 2026, including 2,000 on highways. The company had built more than 4,000 stations as of March 5.