Latest news with #BladeBattery
Auto Car
10 hours ago
- Automotive
- Auto Car
How BYD's Blade battery technology slices EV charging times
EV drivetrains and particularly batteries are developing at a remarkable pace compared with the combustion engine. As a result, range has increased but probably even more marked is the desire to bring charging times in line with ICE refuelling. BYD recently announced its Super e-Platform along with the latest 'flash-charge' version of its lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) Blade battery, which is promised to get close to ICE refuelling times by recharging in six minutes. The new platform is claimed to support charging at up to 1000kW, which seems incredible given the typical rapid-charge rate was 50kW just a few years ago. The name Blade describes the unusual design of the battery, where long, slim cells almost a metre in length make up the pack, rather than modules packed full of smaller pouch, cylindrical or prism cells. In that sense it's unusual, but its LFP chemistry isn't. The advantage of LFP lies in being economical, cobalt- and nickel-free and, above all, safer. LFP battery chemistry is often used in stationary battery systems (including domestic solar systems) and releases heat slowly and doesn't release oxygen if damaged. BYD has demonstrated that its Blade battery cell passes the nail penetration test without emitting fire or smoke, whereas a cell based on alternative chemistry like NMC (lithium, nickel, manganese, cobalt oxide) subjected to the same test reacts violently. While the basic chemistry of the LFP battery isn't extraordinary, achieving a charge rate of 10C for the BYD flash-charge battery is. The 'C' rate is the rate at which a battery charges relative to its capacity and illustrates how quickly a battery can accept and discharge energy.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Warren Buffett's billion-dollar EV play backed BYD, so why not Tesla?
Warren Buffett 's long-standing investment in China's BYD is emerging as one of his most consequential moves in the electric vehicle (EV) space, not only for its returns but also for what it says about the kind of electric future the billionaire believes in. As Tesla 's stock slides and sales weaken under intense global competition and political headwinds, Buffett's deliberate avoidance of Elon Musk 's high-profile EV giant, despite multiple public nudges from Musk himself, is telling. Buffett, known for his disciplined, value-based investing style, stunned markets back in 2008 when Berkshire Hathaway acquired a 9.9 per cent stake in BYD for about $230 million. More than 15 years later, that stake has ballooned in value to between $6 billion and $8 billion, even after Berkshire trimmed its holdings to under 5 per cent in 2024. The gradual reduction, seen by some as profit-booking rather than a loss of confidence, hasn't changed the core message: Buffett got it right, early. BYD surges ahead as Tesla stumbles In March 2025, BYD overtook Tesla in quarterly automotive revenue for the first time, a milestone that marks more than symbolic victory. It underscores a fundamental shift in global EV dynamics. BYD sold around 1.76 million battery-electric vehicles in 2024, just shy of Tesla's 1.79 million. But when plug-in hybrids are included, BYD's total New Energy Vehicle (NEV) sales soared to 4.27 million units, far eclipsing its American rival. In Europe, BYD outsold Tesla in battery EVs for the first time in April 2025, registering 7,231 units to Tesla's 7,165, according to data from JATO Dynamics. The company's appeal lies in practical design, lower costs, and its proprietary Blade Battery technology , which allows BYD to maintain margin flexibility amid a brutal price war. Tesla, on the other hand, is feeling the heat. The company saw its first drop in annual deliveries last year and reported a 13 per cent decline in Q1 2025. Analysts expect another year of contraction, citing factory halts, delayed model rollouts, and intensifying competition from Chinese rivals like BYD. In the first half of 2025, Tesla shares have fallen 21 per cent, while Shanghai-listed BYD stock is up 22.4 per cent. The price war that changed everything The global EV price war that began in early 2023, sparked by Tesla's initial price cuts, has become an all-out brawl. Chinese automakers, particularly BYD, responded aggressively, undercutting global rivals. As prices dropped, automakers saw profit margins shrink. BYD's ability to produce its own batteries and leverage vertical integration proved critical in maintaining profitability, even as entry-level models like the Seagull and Dolphin pushed EV prices below $30,000. In contrast, Tesla's margins have come under severe pressure, particularly in Europe and China. Market participants say buyers have also been put off by Elon Musk's growing political involvement and polarizing public persona, which has triggered protests and boycotts in the U.S. and abroad. Why Buffett said no to Tesla Buffett has long held that the auto industry is too capital-intensive and cyclical for consistent investment returns. At Berkshire's 2024 annual meeting, he reiterated that his late partner Charlie Munger had pushed strongly for the BYD investment. 'Charlie twice pounded the table … and said, 'Buy BYD.' He was right — big time,' Buffett said. While Musk has publicly suggested Buffett should invest in Tesla, the Oracle of Omaha has shown little interest. Tesla doesn't match Buffett's investment criteria: stable leadership, durable competitive advantages, and predictable returns on invested capital. Buffett has also consistently avoided U.S.-based EV startups like Lucid and Rivian, citing high burn rates and unproven scalability. BYD, by contrast, combines mass manufacturing, a cost advantage, and global reach, all underlined by disciplined expansion and consistent product evolution. Global shift, strategic patience While Tesla has concentrated on markets in North America and Europe, BYD is moving swiftly into Latin America, Southeast Asia, and even Europe, often via local partnerships and manufacturing. This approach helps it bypass tariffs and offer localized, price-sensitive EV models, a strategy well-suited to emerging markets. Despite phasing out subsidies in regions like China and changing tax credit rules in the U.S., BYD's pricing edge remains intact. It continues to gain share in cost-sensitive segments where Tesla's premium brand and higher prices are harder to justify. Buffett's investment in BYD also complements his broader bet on the green energy transition. Through Berkshire Hathaway Energy, the billionaire has backed solar, wind, and grid infrastructure, reinforcing his support for a low-carbon economy from multiple angles. Buffett once said, 'We only swing at pitches we like.' His early swing on BYD, and his steadfast refusal to follow the hype around Tesla, is a textbook display of his principles in action. It's not that he missed Tesla, it's that he made a different, arguably smarter, play. As EVs redefine the global auto industry, Warren Buffett's legacy now includes helping shape its direction. In a sector full of hype, his investment in BYD remains a model of clarity, conviction, and long-term thinking.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Buffett's BYD bet outshines Tesla slump, Berkshire's China play defies EV price war and hype, value over volatility drives EV future
Warren Buffett's calculated, long-horizon investment in China's BYD is proving to be one of his most consequential bets in the electric vehicle (EV) industry — not just in terms of returns, but in how clearly it contrasts with his conscious avoidance of Elon Musk's Tesla. While Tesla grapples with a global slowdown, Buffett's BYD stake is becoming a case study in value investing outlasting market hype. Back in 2008, Berkshire Hathaway stunned markets with its $230 million investment for a 9.9% stake in BYD. More than 15 years later, even after trimming its holdings below 5% in 2024, Berkshire's position is now worth between $6 billion and $8 billion. The gradual reduction is widely viewed as profit-booking, not a retreat — the underlying message is clear: Buffett was right early, and he's still winning. BYD races ahead of Tesla In March 2025, BYD surpassed Tesla in quarterly automotive revenue for the first time, signaling a deep shift in EV industry leadership. BYD sold 1.76 million battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) in 2024, nearly matching Tesla's 1.79 million, and far outpaced its rival in total new energy vehicle (NEV) sales — including plug-in hybrids — reaching 4.27 million units, according to an ET report. In Europe, BYD edged past Tesla in April 2025 BEV sales for the first time, according to JATO Dynamics, buoyed by strong demand for practical, cost-efficient models built around its proprietary Blade Battery technology. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo BYD's approach to vertical integration and low-price offerings like the Seagull and Dolphin has helped it maintain margins in a brutal price war. Tesla, meanwhile, reported a 13% year-on-year drop in Q1 2025 deliveries — the first full-year decline came in 2024. The company is struggling with factory delays, increasing competition from Chinese rivals, and growing discomfort with Elon Musk's political controversies, which have sparked consumer backlash in key markets. The EV price war and Buffett's prudence The EV price war, triggered by Tesla's early 2023 price cuts, turned into an all-out battle. Chinese automakers — BYD foremost among them — slashed prices, sacrificing margin for market share. Unlike Tesla, BYD had a cost advantage: its in-house battery production and localized supply chains made it more resilient. Tesla's margin erosion has been sharpest in Europe and China. Observers say Musk's increasingly political public persona has hurt the brand's appeal, particularly among environmentally conscious consumers and those wary of executive overreach. Buffett's decision not to invest in Tesla aligns with his time-tested principles. At Berkshire's 2024 annual meeting, he credited the late Charlie Munger with championing BYD: 'Charlie twice pounded the table and said, 'Buy BYD.' He was right — big time.' Buffett has always been wary of the automotive sector's capital intensity and cyclicality. Tesla's high volatility, lack of steady cash flows, and dependence on market sentiment do not meet Buffett's threshold for a durable competitive moat. Global strategy: Tesla contracts, BYD expands While Tesla has largely focused on the US and Europe, BYD is aggressively expanding into Latin America, Southeast Asia, and parts of Europe through local partnerships and manufacturing bases. This allows the Chinese automaker to avoid tariffs and offer price-sensitive models in developing markets. Even as subsidies taper in China and US tax incentives become harder to access, BYD's cost structure allows it to remain competitive in segments where Tesla's premium branding is less effective. BYD is now better positioned to ride the next wave of global EV adoption — especially in the mass-market space. Buffett's early conviction in BYD also complements his broader green energy strategy. Berkshire Hathaway Energy has committed billions to renewable infrastructure, creating a portfolio that spans solar, wind, and grid assets. The BYD investment adds depth to this long-term bet on a low-carbon economy. As Buffett once said, 'We only swing at pitches we like.' He didn't miss Tesla — he chose a better pitch. In a sector now saturated with hype, BYD stands as a testament to the power of patient capital, and Buffett's legacy in the EV revolution looks more prescient than ever. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Time of India
31-05-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
EV maker Olectra Greentech Q4 PAT up 39%
Electric vehicles (EV) manufacturer Olectra Greentech Limited (OGL), part of the Megha Engineering & Infrastructures group, posted a 39% jump in profit after tax ( PAT ) for the fourth quarter, at ₹20.69 crore compared to ₹14.89 crore in the corresponding quarter of the previous fiscal year. This was on a 55% rise in revenue for Q4FY25 at ₹448.92 crore. The company attributed the surge in revenue to a 67% jump in deliveries during the quarter at 219 EVs as against 131 EVs delivered during Q4FY24 . The company has delivered 2,718 EVs to date and has orders of 10,022 buses on hand. Till March 31, the company clocked a 77% jump in PAT at ₹139 crore from ₹78.65 crore in FY24. This was on a 56% rise in revenues at ₹1802 crore in FY25. Olectra Greentech Limited chairman & managing director KV Pradeep said the company continues to focus on increasing its manufacturing capacities and enhancing technology capabilities, as part of which the company unveiled the Blade Battery technology at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025. "With its cutting-edge design and exceptional energy density, the Blade Battery promises not only longer ranges but also faster charging time, enhancing performance, safety, and reliability," he said.
Time of India
30-05-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
EV maker Olectra Greentech Q4 PAT up 39%
Hyderabad: Electric vehicles (EV) manufacturer Olectra Greentech Limited (OGL), part of the Megha Engineering & Infrastructures group, posted a 39% jump in profit after tax (PAT) for the fourth quarter, at Rs 20.69 crore compared to Rs 14.89 crore in the corresponding quarter of the previous fiscal year. This was on a 55% rise in revenue for Q4FY25 at Rs 448.92 crore. The company attributed the surge in revenue to a 67% jump in deliveries during the quarter at 219 EVs as against 131 EVs delivered during Q4FY24. The company has delivered 2,718 EVs to date and has orders of 10,022 buses on hand. Till March 31, the company clocked a 77% jump in PAT at Rs 139 crore from Rs 78.65 crore in FY24. This was on a 56% rise in revenues at Rs 1802 crore in FY25. Olectra Greentech Limited chairman & managing director KV Pradeep said the company continues to focus on increasing its manufacturing capacities and enhancing technology capabilities, as part of which the company unveiled the Blade Battery technology at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025. "With its cutting-edge design and exceptional energy density, the Blade Battery promises not only longer ranges but also faster charging time, enhancing performance, safety, and reliability," he said.
