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BYD’s Yangwang U7 Covers 18,600 Miles in a Week of Flash-Charging, Battery Retains 98.7% Capacity
BYD has completed an extreme endurance test of its luxury Yangwang U7 sedan, driving it nearly 19,000 miles in under nine days with more than 350 flash charges. The battery retained 98.7% of its capacity, showcasing the durability of the new Blade Battery 2.0.
By Eleanor Ellington · 3 min read
BYD has put its flagship luxury sedan, the Yangwang U7, through an extreme endurance test, covering nearly 19,000 miles in just over eight days while flash-charging the battery more than 350 times. The Chinese automaker says the test car was randomly selected from a showroom floor, and the battery retained 98.7 percent of its original capacity after the punishing run.
The test took place in Nanning, where daily temperatures exceeded 97 degrees Fahrenheit (36 degrees Celsius) and relative humidity reached as high as 80 percent. The car’s air conditioning was set to 75 degrees Fahrenheit (24 degrees Celsius) throughout the 8 days, 19 hours, and 58 minutes of driving, which saw the U7 maintain an average speed of 149 mph (240 km/h). The total distance covered was 18,600 miles (30,000 km).
The U7 is the ultra-luxurious model from BYD’s Yangwang brand, which has just been updated barely a year after its market launch. The test was designed to demonstrate both the high-speed capabilities of the sedan and the durability of the new Blade Battery 2.0, which is now offered in two capacities: 135.5 kWh and 150 kWh. The 135.5 kWh version provides a CLTC driving range of 497 miles (800 km), while the 150 kWh model can travel up to 625 miles (1,006 km) on a single charge.
The electric U7 produces 1,287 horsepower from dual motors on both axles, with 644 hp at the front and rear. A plug-in hybrid version with a 52.4 kWh battery and 1,341 hp is also available. The starting price for the U7 in China is around $95,400.
BYD’s testing regime for the updated U7 has been extensive. The company says it has tested 758 vehicles across the country, cumulatively covering more than 6.5 million miles (10.49 million kilometers). The endurance run in Nanning was just one part of this broader validation program.
The test is reminiscent of the endurance run Mercedes-AMG performed last year with its GT XX Concept, which covered 24,901 miles (40,075 km) in 7 days, 13 hours, and 24 minutes. BYD’s test, while shorter in distance, focused on the battery’s ability to withstand repeated high-speed charging cycles in hot, humid conditions.
The Yangwang U7 was first unveiled in early 2024 and hit the Chinese market roughly 12 months ago. Less than six months after the first deliveries began, Yangwang revealed it was preparing to update the model with the new battery packs, which are now available to customers.
