BYD puts flash-charging Qin Max on sale in China from $14,720

BYD says the EV version of its new Qin Max sedan can move from 10% to 97% charge in nine minutes. The company launched the Qin Max on Thursday, pricing the new flagship of its Qin family from 99,900 yuan ($14,720) to 143,900 yuan, with both all-electric and DM-i plug-in hybrid versions available. The charging time is a manufacturer claim, and the EV range figures use the CLTC test cycle.

The EV version pairs BYD’s second-generation Blade Battery with flash charging, the company’s name for its ultra-fast charging technology. BYD says the system can deliver peak single-gun power of up to 1,500 kW. The battery can charge from 10% to 70% in five minutes, or from 10% to 97% in nine minutes. Buyers receive one year of free flash charging.

The Qin Max is a B-segment sedan positioned above the Qin L and aimed mainly at younger consumers. Its EV versions offer CLTC range of 530 km or 630 km, with acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in as little as 5.8 seconds. The DM-i version combines a 1.5-liter naturally aspirated engine with a 175 kW motor, delivering 320 km of all-electric range and 2,370 km of combined range.

The car also brings BYD’s LiDAR-based God’s Eye B system to some variants. It supports urban and highway navigation assist and all-scenario parking assist. BYD says it will cover parking-related losses and provide one year of coverage for urban navigation assist. A built-in AI agent called Didi Xia is included as well.

Concretely, the Qin Max puts flash charging and driver-assistance features into a sedan starting below $15,000 in China. It also gives BYD a new tool to repair a weakening core lineup: Qin sales fell 50.55% year-on-year in the January-July period, while July sales dropped 75.67%. The vehicle is on sale now, but the charging and range figures cited here come from BYD; no independent test is included.