BYD unveils next-generation Blade battery with nine-minute fast charging

BYD has revealed its second-generation Blade battery alongside new ultra-fast flash charging technology that could significantly reduce EV charging times.

The new Blade 2.0 battery is capable of charging from 10% to 70% in around five minutes and from 10% to 97% in about nine minutes.

BYD says the battery can also maintain strong charging performance in cold conditions, reaching 97% charge from 20% in around 12 minutes in sub-zero temperatures.

The charging speeds were demonstrated using the Denza Z9GT, which the company says achieved a driving range of 1036km on a single charge during testing.

Alongside faster charging, the new Blade battery features around 5% higher energy density and a longer lifespan compared with the previous generation.

The technology relies on BYD’s own flash charging system, although the company says charging speeds on conventional chargers could also improve by 30% to 50%.

BYD is also developing a new generation of flash charging stations designed to be more compact and easier to deploy.

Each charger is capable of delivering up to 1500kW using a 1000-volt architecture, helping maintain high charging speeds even in colder climates.

The company plans to rapidly expand its charging network in China, with a target of installing 20,000 flash chargers this year. Around 5,000 have already been completed.