Shanghai (ZXZC)- BYD's refreshed Tang EV is likely to carry the “blade battery”, a new type of new lithium iron phosphate battery (LFP battery) developed by BYD to largely increase the energy density of battery pack with greater safety, according to Autohome, which cited a person briefed on the matter.

The new EV model is expected to make its debut in August, said the local media outlet. Its exterior may adopts BYD's “Dragon Face 2.0” design language, which has been used in BYD Han. The signature “dragon mouth” grille will perhaps be abandoned, while a neatly-designed close-off chrome-plate grille will be adopted. Besides, the interior texture is said to be replaced with the suede-effect fabric.

(Existing Tang EV, photo source: BYD)

The “blade battery” is named according to its shape, which is more flat and elongated than traditional square batteries. It is virtually longer battery cell arranged together in an array and inserted into the battery pack like a “blade”.

As we know, each electric vehicle is equipped with one pack. Generally, a cluster of cells compose a module and a cluster of modules make up a pack. BYD's “blade battery” skips the process of forming module so that the space utilization rate of battery pack can be increased by over 50%. Thus the battery pack's energy density and the range are improved correspondingly.

Dispensing with module, the internal structure of the battery system becomes simpler, which results in more stable performance and lower failure rate than BYD's self-developed NCM NCM622 lithium-ion battery that powers the existing Tang EV.

Aside from the new Tang EV, BYD is ready to introduce the battery blade into the yet-to-be-launched new Qin EV, Qin Pro EV and Song Plus EV, according to MIIT's catalogues.

BYD Auto Industry Company Limited signed earlier this week a contract with the local Colombian car dealer MOTORES Y MAQUINAS S.A to authorize the latter to sell BYD's all-new Tang EV, the Yuan EV and the e-series models in the country. The first order includes 132 BYD electric vehicles, which are scheduled to be delivered from the second half of 2020 in such cities as Bogotá, Medellín and Cali.