BYD has officially launched its second-generation Blade Battery and flash charging technology. At the launch event, BYD Group's Chairman and President Wang Chuanfu stated that the new battery technology once again sets a new record for charging speed, aiming to make charging as quick as refueling—achieving a 5-minute charge for a substantial boost and a full charge in just 9 minutes.
According to the company, these two technologies address global challenges from the first phase of electrification, such as slow charging and difficulty charging in low temperatures. In normal temperatures, charging from 10% to 70% takes only 5 minutes, while charging from 10% to 97% is completed in 9 minutes. Even at -30°C, charging from 20% to 97% takes just 3 minutes longer than under normal conditions.
Following the launch, Li Yunfei, General Manager of BYD's Brand and Public Relations Department, clarified that the first-generation Blade Battery will not be discontinued. Instead, it will coexist with the second-generation version, offering customers more options.
The second-generation Blade Battery and flash charging technology are already in mass production and will be installed in 10 vehicle models initially. These include the Yangwang U8 2026 edition, Denza Z9GT, Fangchengbao Titanium 3 flash charging edition, and the Seal 07 EV, among others. Li Yunfei noted that with recent increases in battery raw material costs, the new models equipped with the latest technology will be either entirely new, significantly upgraded, or special flash charging editions, with prices adjusted according to cost.
To achieve the rapid charging speeds of the second-generation Blade Battery, BYD has newly developed flash charging piles with a single-gun charging power of 1500 kW, making them the most powerful mass-produced charging piles globally. The company has also initiated a "Flash Charging China" strategy, planning to construct a large number of flash charging stations across the country, with a target of 20,000 stations by the end of this year.
Among these, BYD will collaborate with national charging network operators to accelerate construction through a "flash charging station within a station" model, aiming to complete 18,000 stations by year-end. Additionally, BYD's "flash charging highway stations" will cover nearly one-third of highway service areas, with 2,000 stations expected to be operational by the end of the year.
Regarding the progress of flash charging station deployment, Li Yunfei explained that on highways, BYD is partnering with provincial transportation investment groups to achieve rapid coverage. In urban areas, the company has introduced an innovative solution for existing public charging stations.
Li Yunfei elaborated, "The average utilization rate of current urban public charging stations is only about 5%, with most parking spots remaining empty. Our system requires just three parking spaces: one for the energy storage unit and charging pile, and two for charging vehicles. It doesn't require grid capacity expansion or foundation digging—installation is as simple as setting up an air conditioner."
He emphasized that BYD's medium to long-term goal is to promote the replacement of fuel vehicles with electric vehicles. "When the number of new energy vehicles increases from 45 million to 300 million, the existing 300,000 charging stations will be far from sufficient. Our technical solution makes use of existing resources without requiring additional land or grid capacity, which is highly significant."
Li Yunfei acknowledged that industry-wide sales declined in the first two months of the year due to factors such as reduced subsidies and adjustments to purchase tax policies, with new energy vehicles being more affected than traditional fuel vehicles. However, he expressed strong confidence in the market's future performance.
He stressed that the launch of the second-generation Blade Battery and flash charging technology will have a profound impact on the industry. "In the second quarter, with the implementation of new technology, widespread deployment of charging piles, and large-scale vehicle deliveries, the market will experience a fission effect and accelerate its recovery."
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