In a landmark achievement for electric mobility, BYD’s luxury sub-brand Yangwang has shattered the global EV top-speed record. The Yangwang U9 Track Edition reached an astonishing 472.41 km/h (293.54 mph) during a run at the ATP Automotive Testing track in Papenburg on August 8, 2025, becoming the fastest road-legal EV ever recorded.

Record Highlights:

Professional driver Marc Basseng, who held the previous EV speed record, was behind the wheel during this run.

The U9 Track Edition features a potent quad-motor configuration, generating over 2,958 horsepower. Each motor outputs 555 kW, supported by a 1,200-volt ultra-high-voltage platform and advanced thermal management.

Road & Track

Built on BYD’s e4 platform, the vehicle incorporates DiSus-X intelligent body control, real-time torque vectoring, and semi-slick tires co-developed with Giti Tire to withstand extreme speeds.

The previous EV speed record of 268 mph held by Rimac Nevera R was decisively eclipsed.

Why It Matters:

This extraordinary record cements BYD’s standing as a pioneer in EV performance, rivaling benchmark hypercars from traditional automakers. Hitting nearly 300 mph places the U9 within close proximity to internal combustion legends like the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+ (490 km/h), and shows that electric hypercars can compete on the highest stage.

This breakthrough also underscores China’s rapidly rising prominence in the global EV space, with BYD leading in both production scale and tech innovation.