China has dominated the global electric vehicle (EV) market recently. The latest record-breaking feat comes from BYD’s high-end sub-brand, YANGWANG, with its U9 Track Edition. On the ATP Automotive Testing Papenburg circuit in Germany, the car achieved a top speed of 472.41 km/h (293.5 mph), officially labeling it the fastest EV in the world. This is more than previous champions like the Rimac Nevera R, setting a new benchmark for electric supercar performance.
The race for the fastest EV title has never been more fierce. High-performance EVs have long dominated European manufacturers, but China is now showing it can combine speed, tech, and cost-effectiveness. BYD, the world’s largest EV producer by volume, has shown that the fastest EV does not necessarily come from traditional supercar brands
The YANGWANG U9 Track Edition is built upon the e4 Platform and the DiSus-X core technical architecture, shared with the standard U9 sold in China. On top of this, it introduces the world’s first mass-produced 1200V ultra-high-voltage vehicle platform, optimized for extreme thermal conditions. This technical combination elevates the Track Edition’s performance to unprecedented levels, delivering a record-setting fastest EV experience.
Achieving world records requires unshakeable strength and instant stability. The e4 Platform features the world’s first quad-motor system, utilizing high-performance motors hitting 30,000 rpm, producing 555 kW per motor and an overall system output of over 3,000 PS. This equates to a staggering power-to-weight ratio of 1,217 PS per tonne, putting it among the best in global automotive performance. Every design choice ensures the title of quickest EV is not just a number, but a reflection of engineering prowess.
The quad-motor independent torque-vectoring system continuously monitors road feedback, adjusting torque to all wheels at ultra-high frequency—over 100 times per second. At high speeds, too, the car maintains total control over its body attitude, without ever experiencing wheel slip or loss of traction. Combined with the DiSus-X Intelligent Body Control System, which independently adjusts each corner’s suspension, the U9 Track Edition suppresses pitch and roll while optimizing tyre contact. These innovations ensure that the fastest EV is also one of the safest and most stable high-performance vehicles ever built.
The aerodynamic design of the YANGWANG U9 Track Edition is also optimized for extreme speeds. Optional carbon-fiber front splitters and mass-produced aerodynamic enhancements reduce drag, improving both speed and efficiency. To complement this, YANGWANG collaborated with Giti Tire to develop track-focused semi-slick tyres with custom compounds and tread designs, while innovative rim knurling reduces torque loss and tyre wear. These specs ensure that the fastest EV maintains performance and reliability in the toughest conditions.
The base U9 amazed enthusiasts with its dual-motor 1,287 hp powerplant, reaching 62 mph in just 2.36 seconds. The Track Edition takes performance one step further, combining advanced aerodynamics, torque vectoring, four motors, and the DiSus-X suspension system. The result is a vehicle that dominates the fast EV conversation in 2025.
Price is another area where the Yangwang U9 Track Edition stands out. While Rimac’s Nevera R costs around $2.5 million, the standard U9 is priced at approximately $230,000. Even at twice the price, the Track Edition would still be much cheaper than European rivals and offer unprecedented speed without costing an arm and a leg. That combination of performance and price is redefining standards for the fastest EV.
China’s claim of the world’s fastest EV shows a bigger change. Chinese EVs are no longer just about being affordable. They now compete with the best models in acceleration, top speed, and technology. BYD has surpassed Tesla in production numbers and is now leading in high performance. The YANGWANG U9 Track Edition reflects this shift. It proves that the fastest EV in the world can be from China by blending advanced technology, great engineering, and clear vision.
The impressive record run was completed by German driver Marc Basseng, who set the EV speed record in 2024. His experience, along with BYD’s technology, shows that the fastest EV can achieve high speeds consistently and safely.
Engineering is the basis for the fastest EV. The quad-motor system produces impressive torque. The battery and thermal management systems ensures the conversion of over 3,000 PS into kinetic energy. The use of aerodynamics and suspension settings means that the U8 Track Editon has stability at high speed. Each system is optimized so the fastest EV is more than just speed; it is the safety and management as well.
Experts predict that the U9 Track Edition’s record may only be the beginning. Ongoing advancements in battery chemistry, motor technology, lightweight materials, and aerodynamics could allow even faster EVs to be built in the not so distant future. If China continues on this trajectory, it is possible that it will hold the record for the fastest EV for many years to come.
For both enthusiasts and consumers, it is clear that the fastest electric vehicle is Chinese. It is powerful, uses advanced technology, and is designed for performance. With the YANGWANG U9 Track Edition, BYD has set a new standard for electric supercars by focusing on speed, stability, and safety.
From peak velocity to torque distribution, temperature management to suspension evolution, the YANGWANG U9 Track Edition has shown what the future of fast EVs can do. China has established a new benchmark and reshaped the world’s vision of electric supercars. It is no longer Europe that has the fastest EV, but one that is Chinese, driven by and designed for the world.
The U9 Track Edition has shown that BYD are producing sustainable, fast electric vehicles that can produce records and remain attainable. The fastest electric vehicle has become a symbol of technology, ingenuity, and China’s increasing mammoth size on the global electric vehicle stage.
As global car manufacturers scramble to react, the battle for the fastest EV will continue to drive innovation, efficiency, and extreme performance. China has raised the bar, and with the YANGWANG U9 Track Edition, the fastest EV title is not going anywhere.
YANGWANG U9 Track Edition: Technical Highlights
| Feature | Specification / Detail | Impact on Fastest EV Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Top Speed | 472.41 km/h (293.5 mph) | Officially makes it the fastest EV in the world |
| Platform | e4 Platform + DiSus-X core architecture | Optimized for high-speed stability and precise control |
| Motor Layout | Quad-motor system, 30,000 rpm high-performance motors | Combined output: 3,000+ PS, max torque distribution for superior acceleration |
| Power-to-Weight Ratio | 1,217 PS per tonne | Among the highest globally, enhancing performance and agility |
| Suspension | DiSus-X Intelligent Body Control System | Independent corner adjustments for pitch/roll suppression and optimized tyre contact |
| Aerodynamics | Enhanced optional carbon-fiber front splitter, sealed panels | Reduced drag, increased high-speed efficiency |
| Tyres | Track-focused semi-slick tyres by Giti Tire | Custom compound & tread, knurling reduces slippage, ensures grip at extreme speeds |
| Driver | Marc Basseng (Professional German driver) | Ensures controlled and safe record-breaking runs |
| Battery / Voltage | 1200V ultra-high-voltage platform | Optimized thermal management for extreme conditions, continuous high-power delivery |
| Acceleration | 0–62 mph in seconds (quad-motor) | Combines instant torque with stability, redefining high-speed EV performance |
| Global Record | ATP Automotive Testing Papenburg, Germany | Sets new benchmark for electric supercars worldwide |
| Design Philosophy | “Body posture control” for track scenarios | Balances performance, safety, and comfort in ultra-high-speed conditions |
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