Blade Battery. Source: BYD
Chinese electric carmaker BYD is reportedly set to launch its next generation blade battery in 2025, which the company expects will increase driving range as well as the life cycle of the battery itself.
Speaking to Chinese state media outlet CGTN on the sidelines of the COP29 conference in Baku last week, Cao Shuang, the managing director of BYD Central Asia in European Auto Sales Division, said BYD is focused on “improving the energy density of our battery” which will enhance the driving distance of our vehicles, and also extend the life cycle of the battery.
In the interview, which appears to no longer be available on CGTN’s website but is viewable here, Cao Shuang also spoke of his company’s cooperation with partners to further develop the reuse of batteries beyond their first life – such as in standalone storage.
BYD introduced its “blade” EV batteries back in 2020 based on a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) chemistry and is used across its entire lineup of electrified vehicles.
The current generation of blade battery technology has safely passed the nail penetration test and can deliver a range of up to 600 kilometres with a life span of over 5,000 charge and discharge cycles.
In practice, BYD models offer a variety of ranges on the blade battery, depending on the car. For example, BYD’s E2 compact EV is reportedly capable of delivering up to 405km of range under the CLTC test cycle, which might differ from a WLTP figure.
The Seal 06 GT, the company’s first electric hot-hatch, is capable of delivering up to 505km (CLTC) or 600km (CLTC) with the bigger 72.96 kWh battery pack.
However, BYD says on its website that it hopes to eventually be able to deliver a blade battery which provides up to 800 kilometres of range.
American electric carmaker Tesla switched to using BYD blade batteries for its Model Y electric crossover produced at its Berlin gigafactory in 2023, which reportedly resulted in immediately faster charging speeds.
According to local Chinese automotive outlet CnEVPost, several local sources had previously hinted that BYD would launch its second-generation blade battery in the second half of this year.
Separately, CnEVPost quotes Wu Ying, editor-in-chief of local automotive media outlet Xchuxing, who reported in late October that BYD’s luxury sub-brand Yangwang’s U7 sedan would be powered by the company’s second-generation blade battery.
Joshua S. Hill is a Melbourne-based journalist who has been writing about climate change, clean technology, and electric vehicles for over 15 years. He has been reporting on electric vehicles and clean technologies for Renew Economy and The Driven since 2012. His preferred mode of transport is his feet.
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Great! Hopefully, when my Dolphin lease ends, I can switch to a smaller model that offers comparable performance and range.
Good to hear, and hopefully other battery suppliers have similar improvements coming. so improved energy density and range become standard across all models.
By the time solid state batteries enter mass production the advances solid state offers may not be that great in comparison to a gen 3 or 4 LFP blade battery. Not only are the LFP increasing energy density but we are still on the cost reduction curve.
you could add sodium battery being in cost reduction phase once solid state is in mass production.
Just what Tesla auto Australia doesn't need.
Good, hopefully BYD simplifies their warranty
"CLTC test cycle, which might differ from a WLTP figure". Any article stating CLTC is completely irrelevant as a measure of nearly anything. We can work out the reality of WLTP quotes, and EPA gives a good indication, but CLTC range estimates are vapourware.