BYD has unveiled its second-generation Blade Battery alongside a new ultra-fast charging technology, introducing what the company says is the fastest charging speed currently achieved by a mass-produced electric vehicle.

The announcement was made at a launch event titled “Flash Charging China, Changing the World” held at the Shenzhen Universiade Sports Centre.

According to BYD, vehicles equipped with the new system can charge from 10% to 70% in five minutes, and from 10% to 97% in nine minutes. Under extreme conditions of –30°C, charging from 20% to 97% takes only three minutes longer than under normal temperatures.

The company said the technology addresses two long-standing challenges in electric mobility: slow charging speeds and reduced charging performance in cold weather. BYD described the development as a milestone that marks the completion of the “first phase” of the EV industry’s electrification process.

At the event, BYD also introduced its “Flash Charging China” initiative, under which the company plans to build 20,000 ultra-fast charging stations across China by the end of the year, aiming to significantly expand access to high-power charging infrastructure.

Free Flash Charging for New Vehicle Owners

BYD Chairman Wang Chuanfu announced that owners of vehicles equipped with the second-generation Blade Battery will receive one year of free flash charging at BYD’s charging stations nationwide, starting from the vehicle delivery date.

After the free period, charging fees will remain aligned with industry standards, and BYD said no additional fees will be introduced specifically for flash charging services.

Faster Charging and Higher Energy Density

The second-generation Blade Battery is the result of six years of research and development, BYD said. In addition to enabling ultra-fast charging, the battery also delivers more than a 5% improvement in energy density compared with the first-generation Blade Battery.

Combined with vehicle lightweighting and efficiency improvements, the battery enables a driving range of 1,036 km in the Denza Z9GT, according to the company.

BYD said the new battery integrates a high-speed lithium-ion channel and a full-temperature intelligent thermal management system, designed to reduce heat generation and improve heat dissipation during charging. These technologies help minimize the impact of ultra-fast charging on battery lifespan.

The company also upgraded its warranty policy, increasing the capacity retention guarantee by 2.5%, while continuing to offer lifetime warranty coverage for battery cells.

Enhanced Safety Performance

Safety remains a central feature of the Blade Battery platform. BYD said the second-generation battery has passed a range of safety tests exceeding China’s latest national standards, ensuring stable performance throughout the battery’s lifecycle.

1,500 kW Ultra-Fast Charging System

To support the new battery system, BYD has also developed a new flash charging station capable of delivering up to 1,500 kW of power per charging gun, which the company said is the highest power level currently available in mass-produced charging equipment.

The charging system works together with a high-power energy storage solution designed to reduce pressure on the power grid while maintaining stable operation.

Nationwide Charging Network Expansion

Under the Flash Charging China strategy, BYD plans to build 20,000 charging stations nationwide. Approximately 18,000 stations will be deployed in cooperation with charging network operators through a “station-within-a-station” model designed to accelerate rollout.

The company aims to ensure that flash charging stations are available within 3 km in major cities, 5 km in mid-sized cities, and 6 km in smaller cities, allowing users to access ultra-fast charging within 5 km in about 90% of urban areas.

Highway Charging Network

BYD also plans to expand ultra-fast charging along highways. The company expects flash charging stations to cover around one-third of highway service areas in China.

By the end of the year, BYD plans to build 2,000 highway flash charging stations, with an average spacing of just over 100 km. The company aims to complete the first 1,000 stations before the May Day holiday, helping support peak travel demand.

Expanding Globally

Looking ahead, BYD said it plans to begin large-scale deployment of flash charging stations overseas by the end of 2026 as part of its broader strategy to support global electrification.

The initiative builds on the company’s “Three Green Dreams” vision introduced in 2006, which focuses on developing integrated solutions combining solar energy, energy storage, and charging infrastructure.

BYD said the launch of the second-generation Blade Battery and ultra-fast charging technology signals the beginning of a new stage in electric mobility — what the company describes as the “flash charging era.”