BYD announced increased investment and research and development efforts to design motorcycle-specific batteries.
FinDreams, a wholly owned subsidiary of BYD specializing in batteries, reported on its commitment to manufacture reliable and safe batteries for the two-wheeler segment.
According to a review by We Are Electric, this effort will include collaborations with external partners to develop batteries suitable for indoor use, with the stated goal of allowing people to use these batteries without concerns.
High Safety Standards
BYD’s announcement comes against a backdrop of concern about the safety of electric scooters, especially after a fatal fire in a residential building in Yuhuatai District, Nanjing, last February 23, which claimed the lives of 15 people and left 44 injured.
Although the investigation into the exact cause is ongoing, the fire appears to have started in an area where two-wheeled vehicles were stored, which has sparked a national debate in China about the safety of these vehicles and has led several cities to ban their storage inside buildings.
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The number of fires involving electric two-wheelers in China was 21,000 in 2023, up 17.4% from the previous year, according to data from the National Fire and Rescue Bureau. In 2022, 18,000 such fires were reported, marking a 23.4% increase over 2021.
BYD’s expertise in the electric motorcycle sector is already underway. In July 2023, the company signed an agreement with Scorpio Electric, a Singapore-based two-wheeler brand, to assemble its X1 electric scooter in Shenzhen, destined for the Chinese market.
Although the X1 is manufactured at BYD’s facilities, it uses a Samsung battery pack instead of BYD’s LFP battery.
