Chinese automaker BYD unveiled its second-generation Blade Battery and flash-charging technology on Thursday, describing it as a major breakthrough in electrification. The battery offers the world's fastest charging speed, reaching 70% from 10% in five minutes under standard conditions, to address key challenges in China's new energy vehicle market.
BYD stated that the battery charges from 10% to 97% in nine minutes under standard conditions. In cold weather at minus 20 degrees Celsius, it reaches 97% from 20% in 12 minutes. The company said the battery has passed a series of safety tests exceeding China's latest national standards.
Vehicles equipped with the new battery can utilize China's existing network of 4.8 million public chargers, with overall charging speeds 30% to 50% higher. BYD also unveiled a flash charger with single-gun charging power of up to 1,500 kilowatts, which it described as the world's highest for a mass-produced charger of its kind.
To support the rollout, BYD aims to build 20,000 flash-charging stations nationwide by the end of 2026, including 2,000 highway stations. The highway network is expected to cover nearly one-third of expressway service areas, with the first 1,000 highway stations to be completed before this year's May Day holiday. As of March 5, BYD had built 4,239 stations around the country.