BYD’s U9: China’s Answer to High-Performance Electric Supercars

BYD, a Chinese automaker, is developing an electric supercar with a powerful 1,305 horsepower engine and a 0-60 mph acceleration time under 2 seconds
The vehicle will be powered by a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery

Which country is currently the most active in the development of electric vehicles? Surprisingly, the answer is China. China’s electric vehicle industry is booming, fueled by its relatively weak internal combustion engine technology and the government’s subsidies for the transition to electric vehicles. China has developed the most electric vehicle models among all nations.

Chinese companies have been developing electric supercars for quite a while. This shows just how invested China is in the electric vehicle industry. Recently, BYD registered information with Chinese authorities about its upcoming electric supercar, the U9, to launch in 2024. According to the registration, the vehicle will have an LFP battery.

Maximum output of 1,305 horsepower
0-60 mph acceleration in under 2 seconds

BYD’s U9 supercar will have four electric motors, generating a maximum output of 1,305 horsepower. Furthermore, it is said that the 0-60 mph acceleration time will be under 2 seconds. The vehicle’s top speed is expected to reach 300km/h (186 mph).

The vehicle will feature a Desus suspension, touted as one of the industry’s most advanced chassis control systems worldwide. This system allows for independent control of all four suspensions. BYD has even demonstrated the vehicle’s ability to lift off the ground and drive with only three wheels.

Equipped with a lithium iron phosphate battery
Estimated range of approximately 435 miles

Interestingly, the U9 will be powered by a LFP battery. Electric supercars typically use higher energy-density batteries due to their high-performance requirements. Therefore, the use of LFP batteries in this vehicle is entirely unexpected.

However, considering that the manufacturer is BYD, this choice makes sense. BYD has consistently developed electric vehicles using LFP batteries and has accumulated years of expertise in this area. Given this, it may not be surprising that the supercar U9 has an LFP battery.

The vehicle’s estimated range is approximately 700km (435 miles). However, it should be noted that China’s standards for electric vehicle ranges are pretty generous compared to other countries. If we convert this to the South Korean Ministry of Environment standards set, the range would likely be around 500km (310 miles).

The rapidly advancing
Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers

The pace of development of Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers is quite astonishing. The image of Chinese cars being cheap knockoffs or low-quality vehicles has completely vanished. These manufacturers consistently introduce highly advanced electric vehicles that are competitive in the European market.

Not only this, but they are also steadily developing supercars, which can be considered the epitome of automotive technology. Remarkably, BYD has introduced an electric supercar equipped with an LFP battery. The significance of the U9 may lie in this. What impact will BYD’s electric supercar, the U9, have on the global electric supercar market?

By. Yong Hyun Cho