Chinese electric-vehicle makers are racing to cross the 1,000-km range threshold on the CLTC test cycle, and the list of production models that have achieved it is growing fast. According to a roundup by the Chinese automotive outlet First Electric (第一电动), at least seven battery-electric models already on sale or in delivery claim CLTC (China Light-Duty Vehicle Test Cycle) ranges of 1,000 km (about 0 km WLTP est.) or more, with BYD's sub-brands dominating the pack.
BYD's blade battery powers the leaders
The current production record for a pure-electric sedan belongs to the Denza Z9S, launched on September 23, 2026. Priced from 275,800 yuan (about $38,800) as a Chinese guide price before taxes and incentives, the fastback uses a 122.5 kWh second-generation blade battery to deliver a CLTC range of 1,100 km. It charges from 10% to 97% in 9 minutes on BYD's 1,000-volt flash-charging platform, and from 10% to 70% in just 5 minutes. The Z9S sits alongside the Denza Z9GT, which went on sale in March 2026 with a 1036-km CLTC range and the same charging capability; the Z9GT sold 5,949 units in May, topping China's luxury GT segment.
BYD's own flagship Han EV, launched October 13, 2026, is the brand's first D-class electric sedan. The rear-drive version packs a 102.3 kWh second-generation blade battery for a 1008-km CLTC range, with a drag coefficient of 0.197 and standard dual-chamber air suspension and rear-wheel steering. It is priced from 235,900 to 275,900 yuan (about $33,200 to $38,900), undercutting rivals with D-class dimensions at a 230,000-yuan price point.
The Yangwang U7, BYD's million-yuan flagship, joined the club in 2025 and its 2026 update uses a 150.01 kWh blade battery for 1006 km CLTC. It supports 9C megawatt flash charging, filling 10% to 70% in 5 minutes and 10% to 97% in 9 minutes, even in -30°C conditions.
Pioneers and upcoming challengers
The first production EV to break 1,000 km was the AION LX Plus Qianli Edition, launched in January 2022 with a 144.4 kWh sponge-silicon anode battery and a 1008-km CLTC range. Its high price of 469,600 yuan (about $66,100) limited sales, but it proved the technology's feasibility. The Zeekr 001 also offered a 1,032-km CLTC option in 2023 via a 140 kWh CATL Qilin pack, though that limited 1,000-set option has since been retired.
Nio's ET7 takes a different route: its 150 kWh semi-solid-state battery, with 360 Wh/kg energy density, offers a 1050-km CLTC range and is available through a flexible upgrade rental rather than outright purchase. CEO William Li drove 1,044 km on a single charge in a December 2023 test.
Looking ahead, the Denza N8 SUV, now in pre-order, will bring a 1003-km CLTC range to the family SUV segment. BMW's next-generation i3 long-wheelbase sedan, to be built by BMW Brilliance, targets over 1,000 km CLTC with a 108.7 kWh large-cylinder battery and 800-volt architecture. Dongfeng's eπ007 solid-state version, using a semi-solid battery, claims over 1,000 km CLTC and is already in small-batch production. Chery's Exeed ES8, the first vehicle to use its all-solid-state battery, aims for over 1,500 km but won't reach mass production until after 2027.
As battery technology matures, the 1,000-km range is shifting from a technical benchmark to a practical option for Chinese consumers, with BYD's blade battery leading the way and semi-solid and solid-state chemistries poised to push even further.
