By John Q. Hosedrinker 
The BYD Yangwang U9 Track Edition, boasting a staggering 2,960 hp, has claimed the title of the world’s fastest EV by achieving a top speed of 293.5 mph, surpassing the Rimac Nevera’s previous record of 268.2 mph. This track-focused iteration of the U9 features a quad-motor powertrain, significantly outperforming the standard U9’s 1,287 hp and the Nevera’s 1,989 hp. While pricing details remain undisclosed, the Track Edition is expected to be more expensive than the $230,000 standard U9, but still potentially more affordable than the limited-production Nevera R.
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The Fastest EV In The World Is Now Chinese, and that’s not a recent development in the way you might think. The car itself has always been Chinese. What’s changed is the spotlight, the recognition, and the sheer fact that a Chinese-made vehicle now holds the title. It’s a significant achievement, a testament to years of strategic investment and focused development in the electric vehicle sector.
It is important to consider, that the Chinese have poured resources into electric motor technology for years, first for foreign companies and now for their own domestic manufacturers. You’d expect them to excel, given that experience. You can’t help but wonder what kind of performance the vehicle’s tamed racing driver will get around a track, even though this is primarily about top speed, not lap times or brutal acceleration.
The strategic vision and the financial backing from China have undeniably played a key role. They’ve been heavily subsidizing EVs, pouring money into technological innovation, and crafting a clear vision for their place on the global stage. It’s a cohesive approach, and regardless of your political views, you have to admire their commitment to execution. So, it’s not a surprise that they’ve achieved this milestone.
Considering that the NIO EP9 held the crown years ago, some might consider whether other factors play a part. It’s also worth noting the various metrics for a car’s success, which are far broader than just top speed. 0-60 times, 0-300-0 times, and the driving experience are all important. Lap times are all important too. The Nurburgring time is a common point of reference in the community.
The discussion of names brings up a fun observation. “Yangwang,” the brand name, does sound…well, it’s a matter of opinion. Regardless of that, history shows that names that might sound unusual initially can become commonplace over time. Hyundai and Kia were mocked, and now they are ubiquitous. The name of the car, the U9, is less of a conversation starter.
When discussing top speeds, the core limitation becomes the tires. Airplanes are a great example. The potential for going incredibly fast has always been there, but the technology and engineering of tires is what limits this.
The focus on top speed is not necessarily the most important. However, it is possible that the Chinese will learn this in the near future, after focusing on this specific metric of success. The point being, that many of the western automotive brands do not believe there is a significant market for high top speeds, or perhaps, the infrastructure and safety standards cannot keep up with what can be produced.
There’s also the question of verification, as mentioned. Has the speed been independently verified outside of China? This is a common question in the automotive world when establishing legitimacy in a new market.
The shift in the EV landscape is also interesting. While some Western supercar brands are seemingly stepping back from the race to produce ever-faster EVs, the Chinese manufacturers seem to be stepping up. The reasons are complex, including a focus on developing the internal market.
And while top speed is impressive, it’s worth pointing out the broader trends. The focus is now on the 0-60, the 0-400-0 times, and the overall driving experience. Also important is the ability to set lap times.
Also, Xiaomi set the fastest Nurburgring EV lap this summer with the SU7 Ultra. And given the evolution of technology, we can expect the Chinese brands to keep breaking new records.