The race to crown the world’s fastest electric vehicle has taken a dramatic turn. On August 8 in Germany, BYD’s luxury sub-brand Yangwang unveiled the U9 Track Edition, a hypercar that smashed speed records by reaching 293.54 miles per hour making it the fastest EV ever built.
This new benchmark surpasses the previous record of 272.6 mph, set by Japan’s Aspark Owl in 2024, and puts the U9 ahead of combustion-powered rivals as well. With nearly 3,000 horsepower on tap, the Track Edition proves that electric hypercars have moved beyond efficiency and sustainability.
At the heart of the U9 Track Edition is what Yangwang calls the “world’s first mass-produced” 1,200-volt ultra-high-voltage platform. This system enables colossal power output while keeping critical components cool through advanced thermal management.
Each of its four electric motors spins up to 30,000 rpm and produces roughly 744 horsepower. Together, they generate an astonishing 2,958 horsepower, placing the car among the most powerful production vehicles on Earth.
Yangwang also equipped the Track Edition with its DiSus-X Intelligent Body Control System, which allows for extreme handling feats such as hopping or even driving on three wheels. On the track, the system works with upgraded body posture control and millisecond-level torque vectoring adjusting power to each wheel 100 times per second for grip and stability at top speed.
Visually, the car has been tuned for performance: the rear wing has been removed for aerodynamic efficiency, while a carbon-fiber splitter reshapes airflow to maintain stability at nearly 300 mph.
To handle such blistering speeds, Yangwang partnered with Giti Tire to develop semi-slick, track-focused tires with a special tread and compound optimized for grip. These custom tires were key in pushing the U9 beyond its earlier attempt in 2023, when it reached 243 mph.
The U9’s new record outpaces both the Aspark Owl and Croatia’s Rimac Nevera (268.2 mph), leaving little doubt that the 300-mph milestone for EVs is within reach.