BYD Disrupts Electric Vehicle Battery Market with New Technology, Challenging Leading Brands

BYD has made its move! The electric vehicle battery market is facing a new competitor, impacting major brands like Chaowei, Tianneng, and A123. For a long time, lead-acid batteries produced by Chaowei and Tianneng dominated the market, while lithium batteries were primarily from A123. However, in May 2025, BYD disrupted the traditional EV battery landscape by introducing automotive-grade technology into the market, affecting the standard offerings from these established brands.

BYD has applied its blade battery structure to batteries for two-wheeled electric vehicles, effectively upgrading the technology to match that of new energy vehicles. This innovation means significant improvements in several areas:

• Long Lifespan: The lithium iron phosphate cells have a cycle life of 3000 times, theoretically allowing for up to 10 years of use, thereby synchronizing the lifespan of the vehicle and battery.
• Safety Redundancy: The blade battery architecture enhances the thermal runaway temperature of the battery, ensuring it does not catch fire or explode during puncture tests.
• Low-Temperature Performance: Even in environments as cold as -20°C, battery capacity remains above 85%.
• High Charging Efficiency: The battery supports BYD’s fast charging technology, eliminating the traditional 8-hour charging requirement.

The introduction of these two-wheeled vehicle-specific batteries not only upgrades battery technology but also fundamentally changes the competitive landscape for traditional lead-acid and lithium batteries.

Impact on Lead-Acid Batteries from Chaowei and Tianneng

Chaowei and Tianneng are leading brands in the lead-acid battery market, holding a significant share. However, BYD’s entrance has triggered five major impacts:

• Weight Reduction: Chaowei and Tianneng’s lead-acid batteries have an energy density of around 40Wh/kg, while BYD’s new specialized batteries achieve 180Wh/kg, making them 4.5 times denser. This reduction in weight not only enhances convenience but also increases the range for electric vehicles.
• Lifetime Battery Replacement: Standard lead-acid batteries require replacement every 1-2 years, even the high-end versions last only about 3 years. In contrast, BYD’s new battery could last up to 10 years, allowing for lifetime use without replacements.
• Winter Range Preservation: The performance of lead-acid batteries often declines in cold weather, with vehicles potentially losing 40% of their range. BYD’s battery, however, maintains capacity with only a 15% reduction even at -20°C.
• Improved Charging Efficiency: While lead-acid batteries typically require 8-10 hours to charge, BYD’s batteries can reach 80% charge in the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.
• Lower Average Costs: Although lead-acid batteries have a lower upfront cost, their shorter lifespan leads to higher average annual costs compared to BYD’s more durable batteries, making the latter more cost-effective in the long run.

Impact on A123 Batteries

A123 is a leading brand in the lithium battery sector, but the introduction of BYD’s new batteries has made their products less appealing. Here are some of the impacts on A123 batteries:

• Longer Lifespan: BYD’s batteries exceed 3000 cycles, while A123 batteries only offer about 1500 cycles, meaning BYD’s batteries have double the lifespan.
• Higher Safety Standards: Although A123 batteries hold a national 3C certification for safety, BYD’s design incorporates automotive-grade safety features that address lithium battery safety concerns comprehensively.

Conclusion

BYD is setting a new standard in the two-wheeled vehicle market by applying rigorous automotive industry standards. The result is lighter, more durable, and faster-charging lithium batteries. The effects are felt not only by Chaowei and Tianneng but also by A123, marking significant advancements for consumers who can now use electric two-wheelers with greater confidence and reliability.

Are you looking forward to BYD’s specialized batteries for two-wheeled vehicles? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments!