BYD is launching a new Blade EV battery next year to power its next wave of vehicles. China’s EV giant confirmed the advanced batteries will unlock even more driving range for its next-gen electric cars.

It’s been over four years since BYD’s battery unit FinDreams launched the first Blade battery in 2020. The advanced LFP batteries propelled BYD to become one of the world’s largest EV and battery makers today.

BYD is currently the second largest global battery and EV manufacturer, behind CATL and Tesla, respectively. The batteries power not only BYD’s vehicles but also EVs from other leading automakers like Tesla, Toyota, Ford, Kia, and Hyundai.

The lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) chemistry is cheaper than traditional lithium-ion batteries on the market, enabling BYD to launch ultra-low-cost EV models, like the top-selling Seagull, which starts at under $10,000 (69,800 yuan) in China.

Despite its small size, BYD’s low-cost Seagull EV has a CLTC range of up to 252 miles (405 km) powered by its Blade battery.

Next year, BYD will launch its next-gen Blade battery, which will unlock even more range for upcoming EVs. The advanced new batteries are more compact, safer, and more efficient than ever.

BYD to launch next-gen Blade EV battery in 2025

BYD’s managing director of Central Asia, Cao Shuang, confirmed in an interview with Chinese media CGTN (via CnEVPost) at COP29 that the new batteries will launch next year.

“I think in the coming years, 2025, BYD will introduce the new generation of our remarkable blade battery,” Cao said during the interview.

According to BYD’s executive, the new batteries promise to “enhance the driving distance of our vehicles.” Cao added that they will also have a longer life cycle for various reuse cases.

The company is working with local partners to use them for other applications like energy storage. Despite growing geopolitical tension, Cao said, “This commitment is unwavering, no matter what has happened globally in different countries.”

BYD is currently the world’s second-largest EV battery maker, behind China’s CATL, with a 16.4% share of the market through September 2024. According to CnEVPost, CATL holds a commanding 36.7% share.

While CATL has launched several new batteries, delivering more range and faster charging, BYD looks to shake things up with the next-gen Blade batteries due out next year.

Last week, BYD earned another “world’s first” title after its ten millionth new energy vehicle (NEV) rolled off the production line. BYD’s dominant sales run is heating up after it sold over 500,000 NEVs for the first time in October, its fifth straight record sales month.

Source: CnEVPost