BYD’s Rolls-Royce Lookalike Could Be World’s First EV With Solid-State Battery
BYD has released the first official images of its upcoming Yangwang flagship sedan, revealing a large luxury car with rear-hinged doors that have drawn comparisons with the Rolls-Royce Phantom.
However, the more significant development could be underneath the body. The sedan is being considered as a possible candidate for BYD’s first vehicle equipped with a solid-state battery.
Solid-State Battery Could Be the Bigger Story
BYD Executive Vice President Stella Li has previously said that a vehicle using the company’s solid-state battery technology will arrive in 2027, although she has not identified the model or confirmed when production will begin.
A luxury vehicle produced in relatively small numbers could provide a possible starting point for the technology while production remains expensive.
Most current EV batteries use a liquid electrolyte to transport lithium ions between electrodes. Fully solid-state batteries replace that liquid with a solid electrolyte.
The technology could potentially allow manufacturers to build 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 cells.
BYD has not announced the sedan’s battery capacity, driving range or charging specifications.
Flash Charging Adds to the Speculation
One teaser image shows the Yangwang sedan alongside a BYD Flash Charging station. This has added to speculation about the vehicle’s battery technology, although 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.
Solid-State Technology Is Moving Toward Production
Several automakers are developing or testing solid-state battery technology.
NIO already offers a 150kWh battery in some of its premium EVs, 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 EVs 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 has not identified the model.
What We Know About the Yangwang Sedan
The camouflaged sedan features a long and 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 EV technology.
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