Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD has unveiled the second generation of its Blade battery alongside a new ultra-fast FLASH charging technology, aimed at addressing two persistent challenges for battery electric vehicles (BEVs)—slow charging speeds and poor performance in extreme cold.

The Shenzhen, Guangdong-based automaker said the upgraded battery can charge an EV from 10% to 70% state of charge (SOC) in five minutes and reach 97% in nine minutes, setting what it describes as a new benchmark in fast charging.

The breakthrough also extends to harsh weather conditions. According to the company, even at temperatures as low as –30°C, the charging duration from 20% to 97% increases by only about three minutes compared with charging at room temperature.

Highlighting the industry’s current challenges, Wang Chuanfu, chairman and president of BYD, said slow charging and winter performance remain key hurdles for wider electric vehicle adoption.

“Slow charging speeds and poor low-temperature charging performance are two of the challenges the industry still needs to overcome,” Wang said, adding that the company’s latest innovations aim to bring EV charging closer to the convenience of refuelling traditional vehicles.

Faster charging without compromising safety

Developed after nearly six years of research and development, the second-generation Blade battery is designed to balance two factors that have traditionally been difficult to achieve together—fast charging capability and high energy density.

BYD said the new battery improves energy density by around 5% compared with the first-generation Blade battery, while significantly accelerating charging speeds. The technology will power upcoming vehicles such as the DENZA Z9GT, which the company said can deliver a driving range of up to 1,036 km thanks to a lightweight vehicle structure.

To handle the thermal stress associated with ultra-fast charging, BYD has incorporated what it calls a “lithium-ion high-speed channel” along with a full-spectrum intelligent thermal management system. These systems are designed to minimise internal heat generation while improving heat dissipation during rapid charging cycles.

The company also emphasised safety as a core design principle. According to BYD, the battery has undergone a series of safety tests that exceed China’s national standards, reinforcing the company’s long-held view that “safety is the ultimate luxury” in new-energy vehicles.

Will 5-minute EV battery charging tech be available in India?

Complementing the new battery is BYD’s FLASH charging system, which features a charger capable of delivering up to 1,500 kW output through a single connector, among the highest levels currently announced in the EV industry.

The charger works in conjunction with a high-capacity energy storage system that helps stabilise power supply and reduce strain on local electricity grids, enabling ultra-fast charging without overwhelming infrastructure.

Industry sources stated that the technology could eventually be introduced in India if policy conditions permit. However, expansion may depend on regulatory approvals, as direct investments by Chinese companies in India have faced tighter scrutiny since 2020 under revised foreign direct investment (FDI) rules for firms from neighbouring countries.