BYD unveils ultra-fast 1,500 kW charging with Blade Battery 2.0

BYD launches charging station of up to 1,500 kW with Blade Battery 2.0, promising fast recharges and infrastructure expansion.

Overview

BYD has raised expectations with the Blade Battery 2.0 and a charging station capable of up to 1,500 kW of power. The technology promises rapid recharges that could transform the time spent refueling electric vehicles.

The manufacturer states that the flash charging system can take the battery from 10% to 70% in just five minutes, or 10% to 97% in nine minutes, paving the way for almost instantaneous recharges.

Key Technical Data

• Blade Battery 2.0 with a range exceeding 1,000 km under CLTC, equivalent to about 725 km under EPA (comparison using the American metric).
• Ultra-fast charging of up to 1,500 kW, with 10% to 70% in 5 minutes and 10% to 97% in 9 minutes.
• The battery is expected to equip 10 production models, including the Yangwang U7, Denza Z9GT, Seal 07, and Sealion 06.
• BYD claims to have 4,239 flash chargers in operation, with plans to install 20,000 by the end of this year. It is not clear if all will reach 1,500 kW, but even 1,000 kW would triple the current speed in the West.
• The chargers feature a suspended design with a rail, allowing for plug-in from both sides and pull-through charging for vehicles with trailers or trucks, keeping cables off the ground to reduce damage risks.
• According to the manufacturer, the current speed represents an increase of approximately 50% compared to the previous 1,000 kW platform.
• The new battery is also described as cheaper than the previous generation, which may facilitate its adoption in more models.

Context and Next Steps

This advance in charging infrastructure and the Blade Battery 2.0 is presented as part of BYD's strategy to expand EV adoption, with the goal of expanding the ultra-fast charger network throughout the year.

Do you think chargers of up to 1,500 kW will truly transform the adoption of electric vehicles, or are there challenges to overcome? Leave your comment below with your opinion.