How BYD's patient 20-year battery strategy overtook Tesla and outlasted Western startups
By
Christopher Chico
If you only eat one bagel today, this is the bagel.
Summary
BYD, led by founder Wang Chuanfu, has become the world's top battery energy storage system integrator, surpassing Tesla in 2025. The article contrasts BYD's patient, long-term strategy (spanning 20+ years) with Western battery startups that raised over $20 billion but saw at least 14 bankruptcies in the last 15 months. BYD's success is attributed to its willingness to endure years of losses and slow growth, treating battery development as a marathon rather than a sprint, while competitors sought rapid returns.
Key quotes
· 3 pulledThe difference between BYD and them was patience.
BYD treated ever...
Western battery startups raised more than $20 billion over the past decade. I counted at least 14 of them going under in the last 15 months.
You might also wanna read
BYD Surpasses Tesla as World's Largest Electric Vehicle Seller
BYD, a Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer, has surpassed Tesla to become the world's biggest seller of electric vehicles. The article dis
The Verge·4mo ago
BYD Introduces World's Largest 14.5 MWh DC Energy Storage System
Chinese EV manufacturer BYD has launched the 'HaoHan' energy storage system, which features the world's largest single-unit DC battery capac
ess-news.com·8mo ago
BYD Surpasses Tesla as World's Leading Electric Vehicle Seller
Chinese automaker BYD has overtaken Tesla as the world's top electric vehicle seller for the first time, with Tesla's sales dropping 16% in
bbc.com·5mo ago
BYD's EV Strategy Succeeds as Rising Fuel Prices Drive Electric Vehicle Adoption
BYD, the Chinese automaker that stopped producing internal combustion engine vehicles in 2022, is experiencing increased electric vehicle sa
electrek.co·2mo ago
BYD Achieves 2025 Sales Target of 4.6 Million Vehicles, Likely Surpassing Tesla as World's Largest EV Maker
BYD Co. achieved its 2025 sales target of 4.6 million vehicles, likely surpassing Tesla to become the world's largest electric vehicle maker
bloomberg.com·5mo ago
BYD Introduces Five-Minute Charging for EVs in China
BYD has introduced a groundbreaking 'megawatt charging' technology in China, allowing for a five-minute EV charge, addressing a major concer
spectrum.ieee.org·1y ago