Charging Speed vs Range on the BYD Seal electric car lease

The BYD Seal electric car lease - Charging Speed vs Range

The future of EVs is still hard to predict. Each manufacturer is having different results and successes; and let's face it, not all of it is positive. The difficulty for the electric automotive transition is that the rationale behind the purchase / lease will vary from customer to customer.

This is even more obvious in business vs personal transactions. Regardless of the underlying finite motivations, there is at least a need for practical and usable motoring solutions. The reality is that some customers who "aren't there yet" have set strict parameters on what they want.

For example, you will often hear the need for a car with a 300 mile+ range, 15 minute charging times and a price parity with like for like petrol / diesel vehicles. Back in 2019 / 2020 when mass-adoption started, this was an almost impossible submission. But is this really the case in 2026?

BYD have fast become a truly recognisable and valuable proposition in the UK leasing market. In truth, 2025 was the year that the BYD group became the Tesla of 2019 - 2024, with market leading products and technology.

But even Chinese superbrands have limits and frailties, with recent competition at home in China, as well as the UK and Europe, from brands like Chery, Geely, Omoda and Changan have essentially diluted their scope and influence. The specification and aesthetics these competitive vehicles offer far outweigh their price-point, which has enabled many UK motorists to more affordably go into EV and PHEV cars. 

However, BYD are not a company to rest on their laurels and the big news from last week (2 March 2026) was the Blade 2.0 update for all new BYD EVs coming to the UK and beyond.

The Blade Battery is the infrastructure of the BYD fleet and the Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) setup is known as the world’s safest and most robust battery. With amazing manufacturing, resources and technology within the company, their inception to delivery is very difficult to rival by any other brand.

However, customers want more; especially those still sitting on the fence when it comes to making the move into BEV.  The Blade 2.0 battery could be the answer to the problem, with this next-generation battery offering higher density, lower degradation and some considerable ultra-fast charging.

As the BYD news highlights, this “breaks down final barriers to electrification”. When connected to the BYD FLASH chargers, which offer 1500kW charging, the vehicle can go from 10 - 70% in just 5 minutes. Moving from 10 - 97% would take around 10 minutes.

Effectively, the new BYD Blade 2.0 is allowing an electric car to charge in the same amount of time that a petrol or diesel vehicle would take at the forecourt. BYD have really put their new battery through some tests, with charging carried out at a -30C. With colder weather so key to reducing battery performance and charging, the fact that this is still possible is resoundingly positive news.

To bolster this, the group are suggesting that Chinese CLTC efficiency tests have proved the  BYD battery can allow some 600 miles of range . 

However, range is not our focus in this review - charging speed of the EV is. As BYD have set out, the consumer needs to have confidence that their car can charge quickly and robustly if they are to place their faith into this motoring option.

This is why the investment into the battery and FLASH charging has been paramount. The “FlashPass” Ion system allows the battery to be pushed to the next level. The group have also devised their FLASH chargers (some 4,239 across China) to deliver the experience. Some 20,000 have been planned for 2026! Capable of up to 1,500kW, this is what is allowing the breakthroughs, as charging is determined by the battery and the charger.

For European customers, the DENZA Z9GT will be introduced into the networks to help achieve these robust experiences.

Speed of charge is almost certainly essential, with sub 15 minute experiences likely to provide confidence to potential EV drivers on the completeness of the electric car solution. Yet the UK network has some catching up in order to match the engineering quality of the BYD 2.0.

Many of the rapid charging solutions in the UK differ, with a mix of 50kW / 150kW / 250kW DC options. As our charge point solutions partner Zap Map set out, there were 3,381 Rapid and Ultra-Rapid options added to the UK network in 2025.

The biggest concentration was on the Ultra-Rapid options, which Zap Map define as 150kW DC+. But to keep up with the increasing demand and supply of BEVs, along with increasing technology, there needs to be more. The reality is that this isn’t a cheap or easy exercise with various stakeholders needing to support this endeavour.

Cars like the BYD Seal will be receiving the Blade Battery 2.0 upgrade in the near future. While awaiting the battery upgrades the 2026 Seal did have a mid-life update to modernise the car with extra tech, storage capacity and some extra colour choices.

The new version will get updated 19” alloys, BYD logo stitched into the headrests, a new Driver Monitoring System, Dynaudio 12-speaker sound system, front seats which are electrically adjustable / heated / ventilated, Bluetooth key and HUD. The team have added 85 litres to the boot and a further 19 litres to the frunk, to make this even more family friendly. With a 6 year (or 93,750 mile warranty) the BYD are proud of their product.

How does the 2026 BYD Seal EV perform? 

Prices start at £45,730 for the Design and this offers:

This RWD will have an 82.5 kWh usable battery which will offer 0 – 62 times of 5.9 seconds, 112 mph top speeds and 230 kW (or 308 hp). Expect a combined winter range of 260 miles with warmer weather allowing for 345 miles. A combined 295-mile range. On charging, the 11 kW AC max will allow 9 hour 0 – 100% charging times with the 150 kW DC maximum allowing 36 minute 10 – 80% times.

A cargo volume of 428L is available with this car. It has a vehicle fuel equivalent of 145 mpg. This option can tow 750kg (Unbraked) and 1000kg (Braked). The heat pump is standard with the car. The EV will have Bidirectional charging, with a V2L / Vehicle-to-Load capability of 3.3 kW AC via an exterior Type 2 outlet.

Prices start at £48,730 for the Excellence and this offers:

This AWD will have an 82.5 kWh usable battery which will offer 0 – 62 times of 3.8 seconds, 112 mph top speeds and 390 kW (or 532 hp). Expect a combined winter range of 235 miles with warmer weather allowing for 315 miles. A combined 275-mile range. On charging, the 11 kW AC max will allow 9 hour 0 – 100% charging times with the 150 kW DC maximum allowing 36 minute 10 – 80% times.

A cargo volume of 428L is available with this car. It has a vehicle fuel equivalent of 135 mpg. This option can tow 750kg (Unbraked) and 1500kg (Braked). The heat pump is standard with the car. The EV will have Bidirectional charging, with a V2L / Vehicle-to-Load capability of 3.3 kW AC via an exterior Type 2 outlet.

Want to know more about going into BYD?

Head to our dedicated BYD special offers section or speak to our experts directly on 01942 910 001 or by emailing us at [email protected]