BYD reveals new Qin Max EV with Flash Charging aimed at young buyers
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- BYD previewed the Qin Max EV for the first time via Ocean series GM Lu Tian's Weibo page on Sunday, calling it a 'completely different B-segment fast-charging sedan' aimed at young buyers and positioned above the Qin L.
- BYD's Blade Batteries 2.0 with Flash Charging technology can recharge vehicles from 10% to 97% in nine minutes, or from 10% to 70% in just five minutes — the core selling point driving hype on Chinese social media.
- The Qin Max was previously approved for sale by China's MIIT, measuring 4,866 mm long with a 2,790 mm wheelbase — slightly larger than a Tesla Model 3 (4,720 mm) but with a shorter 2,875 mm wheelbase.
- The EV variant will offer 160 hp (120 kW) or 321 hp (240 kW) electric motors paired with 52.868 kWh or 64.315 kWh Blade Batteries, delivering CLTC ranges of 330 miles (530 km) and 391 miles (630 km) respectively.
- BYD's Qin L EV, the smaller sibling launched last year starting at 119,800 yuan ($17,500), sold over 10,000 units in its first week — a benchmark the larger Max model with Flash Charging will need to beat.
- The Qin Max will also be available in a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain, though BYD has not yet revealed pricing or a specific launch date.
Why it matters: BYD's nine-minute Flash Charging claim directly targets charging-time anxiety — historically Tesla's strongest moat in China — and the Qin L's 10,000-unit first-week sales show BYD's pricing power (~$17,500) could make the larger Max a volume hit if priced competitively. BYD still hasn't announced pricing or a launch date, leaving Tesla and other Chinese EV makers racing to match Flash Charging specs.
