tech

March 5, 2026

BYD rolls out EV batteries with 5-minute ‘flash charging.' But there's a catch.

The Chinese automaker's new Blade Battery 2.0 is capable of charging at up to 1.5 megawatts, dramatically slashing the time it takes to fill up.

BYD rolls out EV batteries with 5-minute ‘flash charging.' But there's a catch.

TL;DR

  • BYD unveiled the Blade Battery 2.0 system, claiming it can charge from 10% to 70% in five minutes and to nearly 100% in about nine minutes.
  • The battery pack performs exceptionally well in cold weather, charging from 20% to 97% in under 12 minutes at -4°F (-20°C).
  • This ultra-fast charging capability is only achievable when using BYD's new Flash Charging EV chargers, which can deliver 1.5 megawatts of electricity.
  • The Blade Battery 2.0 uses lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) chemistry, which is generally less expensive than other battery chemistries that use cobalt or nickel.
  • BYD aims to use this fast-charging technology to gain an edge in a competitive EV market, especially as its sales saw a dip in early 2026.
  • The company plans to deploy 4,200 Flash charging stations in China with a goal of adding 16,000 more by year-end, and will also integrate grid-scale batteries.
  • The Yangwang U7 luxury sedan will be the first vehicle to feature this new battery system, with an estimated real-world range of over 400 miles.

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