Urdu Report Desk
Chinese automaker BYD has released the first official images of its upcoming Yangwang flagship sedan, showing a large luxury vehicle with rear-hinged doors that have drawn comparisons with the Rolls-Royce Phantom.
The more significant development, however, could be the technology under the vehicle. The sedan is being considered a possible candidate for BYD’s first vehicle equipped with a solid-state battery.
BYD’s Solid-State Battery Plans
BYD Executive Vice President Stella Li has previously said that a vehicle using the company’s solid-state battery technology will be introduced in 2027. However, she has not identified the model or confirmed when production will begin.
A relatively low-volume luxury vehicle could provide a possible starting point for the technology while solid-state battery production remains expensive.
Most current electric vehicle batteries use a liquid electrolyte to move lithium ions between electrodes. Fully solid-state batteries replace the liquid electrolyte with a solid material.
The technology could allow manufacturers to develop smaller and lighter battery packs with higher energy density. It could also reduce some safety concerns associated with flammable liquid electrolytes.
However, solid-state batteries still face engineering challenges, including maintaining internal contact, durability and lithium growth that can damage battery cells.
BYD has not yet announced the sedan’s battery capacity, driving range or charging specifications.
Flash Charging Fuels Speculation
A teaser image shows the Yangwang sedan alongside a BYD Flash Charging station, fueling speculation about the vehicle’s battery technology.
The image does not confirm that the sedan will use a solid-state battery. BYD already offers Flash Charging technology with its conventional Blade Battery 2.0, meaning the presence of the charging station alone does not establish a connection with solid-state batteries.
Global Development of Solid-State Technology
Several automakers are developing or testing solid-state battery technology.
NIO offers a 150kWh battery in some of its premium electric vehicles, although battery supplier WeLion describes the pack as semi-solid-state because it still contains some liquid electrolyte. It therefore differs from a fully solid-state battery.
Mercedes-Benz has road-tested solid-state battery technology in an EQS, while BMW has tested all-solid-state cells in an i7. Toyota is also developing the technology and aims to introduce electric vehicles using solid-state batteries in 2027-28.
BYD has separately said it plans to put its own solid-state battery technology into a vehicle in 2027, but the company has not identified the model.
What We Know About the Yangwang Sedan
The camouflaged sedan features a long, upright body, rear-hinged coach doors and a roof-mounted lidar sensor.
Yangwang has not yet revealed the interior or confirmed the vehicle’s final name, specifications, price or launch date.
The distinctive doors are likely to attract attention, but confirmation of a solid-state battery would make the sedan particularly significant for BYD’s next generation of electric vehicle technology.
