BYD showcases new EV battery in China with nine-minute charge

2026-06-07

BYD's charging performance tested in the field

China's BYD has set a goal of bringing EV charging times closer to refueling a gasoline car. The company unveiled a new EV battery in March that can charge to full in about nine minutes, and a reporter checked its real-world charging performance in China.

New battery and charging experience

The battery BYD updated in March is the lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery for EVs known as the 'Blade Battery'. The company says it can charge from 10% remaining to 97%, effectively full, in about nine minutes.

At a dealership in Beijing, there was an opportunity to try it with an on-site charger. The vehicle was the new Z9GT EV from premium brand DENZA, with a maximum driving range of 1,036 kilometers. The charger was light, and the cable was suspended from above, making it easy to insert the connector. Charging began about eight seconds after connection, and it supported 'plug-and-charge' without using a card or app.

Faster charging and expansion strategy

Progress could be checked on the in-car display and the charger's monitor, and charging advanced rapidly. From 10%, it recovered to 24% in one minute, with the driving range reaching 244 kilometers. The speed then did not slow much, reaching 50% in three minutes, or enough for 500 kilometers of driving. In the end, it completed charging for 976 kilometers of range in 9 minutes and 24 seconds.

The price has not yet been disclosed because the target model is free for one year. The model tested this time was a premium vehicle, but the ultra-fast charging also applies to new versions of mass-market EVs such as the Seal and Atto 3. A BYD representative said more customers are switching from gasoline cars made by Japanese automakers amid rising fuel costs.

BYD is promoting 'oil-electric same speed', aiming to bring charging speed closer to refueling, and plans to install chargers with output of up to 1,500 kilowatts at 20,000 locations by the end of 2026. As of the end of April, more than 5,000 locations had been completed. Competition in batteries is also intensifying in China, with CATL announcing in April an EV battery that can be charged to full in about six minutes.

In Japan, high-performance batteries from BYD and CATL are not yet on the market, and infrastructure for high-output charging is also lagging. EVs account for only about 2% of new-car sales. If charging speeds close to refueling become a reality, EVs could become easier to use for residents of apartment buildings and people who travel long distances, easing one of the barriers to wider adoption.

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