BYD Unveils 2nd-Gen Blade Battery With 9-Minute Flash Charging

BYD has unveiled the second-generation Blade Battery, introducing significantly faster charging speeds and improved efficiency. The updated battery can charge from 10% to 97% in just nine minutes, according to the company, marking one of the fastest charging demonstrations in the electric vehicle sector.

The announcement came as BYD looks to strengthen its competitive position in the global EV market following softer recent sales momentum.

BYD introduces flash charging and improved battery performance

BYD described the new capability as “flash charging,” highlighting that vehicles equipped with the battery can gain a large portion of their charge in minutes rather than hours.

At the product launch, BYD chairman Wang Chuanfu explained that the system intentionally stops charging at about 97% capacity during rapid sessions. The remaining capacity is reserved for regenerative braking energy, which helps improve overall efficiency and reduces wasted energy.

Charging performance was another key highlight. BYD said the battery can charge from 10% to 70% in roughly five minutes, while the full 10% to 97% cycle takes about nine minutes, according to CNEV Post.

The company also said the battery is designed to work with a large portion of the existing charging network. Vehicles using the technology can access roughly 4.8 million public chargers, achieving charging speeds estimated to be 30% to 50% faster than typical EV charging performance.

In addition to faster charging, the battery’s energy density has been increased by more than 5%, which could support longer driving ranges for future EV models.

New battery targets longer range and improved safety

The second-generation Blade Battery will initially appear in ten upcoming BYD vehicles, including models from its premium sub-brands.

For example, the Yangwang U7 equipped with a 150-kWh battery pack is expected to deliver a range of about 1,006 km (625 miles), while the Denza Z9 GT could achieve up to 1,036 km (644 miles) of range under testing standards.

BYD also emphasized improvements in durability and safety. The company said the battery maintained stability during demanding tests, including simultaneous charging and nail penetration tests after 500 flash-charging cycles without emitting smoke or flames.

Additional testing included bottom impact simulations and thermal runaway scenarios, where the battery reportedly avoided fire or explosion even after multiple cells were short-circuited.

Cold-weather performance was another focus. After being exposed to −30°C conditions for 24 hours, the battery could still charge from 20% to 97% in about 12 minutes, addressing a common EV limitation in colder climates.

The technology launch comes as BYD seeks to stimulate demand after a recent slowdown in deliveries, positioning the new battery as a potential catalyst for its next generation of electric vehicles.

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