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

Chinese carmaker BYD's (1211) 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 percent to 97 percent 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.

Reuters