BYD Charges One Car 350 Times in Nine Days
BYD Auto vehicles showcased at BYD HQ, Shenzhen, China (Credit: iMoD Official)
BYD claims it drove a randomly selected Yangwang U7 for 30,000 kilometres over nine days with 350 ultra-fast charging stops, and the battery retained 98.7% of its capacity. Euro 7 will require new car types to keep 80% of original capacity after five years from November 29th.
The Test Conditions
The car was tested on a track in Nanning at an average temperature of 36 degrees Celsius, reaching speeds up to 240 kph. It drew up to 640 kilowatts at each charging stop.
BYD emphasizes that the car was not specially prepared, but rather came off a showroom floor. While encouraging, nine days cannot replicate five years of calendar aging.
Europe’s New Standards (Euro 7)
Starting November 29th this year, new car types must comply with Euro 7 standards, retaining 80% capacity after five years or 100,000 kilometres, and 72% after eight years or 160,000 kilometres.
BYD’s European Presence
BYD is expanding its presence in Europe, building cars in Hungary and planning a megawatt charging network. They aim to meet the new standards as Chinese brands gain significant market share in Europe.
The Marketing Answer to Regulatory Question
While the nine-day test is a marketing move, it addresses regulatory concerns. Europe seeks proof of capacity retention in 2031, not just road miles.