The Chinese electric hypercar that holds the world record for top speed by an electric vehicle has crashed during a test run. The BYD Yangwang U9 Track Edition, reportedly worth $3 million, hit one barrier, spun across the road and slammed into the barrier on the other side, according to BroBible, which shared footage of the crash.
The Yangwang U9 Track Edition set the EV top speed record of 293.5 mph last year, beating the previous electric record by more than 25 mph. The record for production vehicles still belongs to the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+, which reached 304.8 mph in 2019. The crash took place in China on Nov. 2, according to reports, though the exact location has not been shared.
The car was reportedly trying to reach 311 mph when it crashed, which would have put it past the Bugatti’s mark. However, it is unclear how fast the hypercar was actually traveling at the moment of impact. Parts flew off as it struck the barriers, and the rear axle was reportedly torn off, leaving the record-setting car badly damaged.
The video shows the driver bracing for impact before the hypercar spins
The crash footage, which was shared by the YouTube channel CarNewsChina, shows the driver bracing for impact as the car veers into the left barrier. The hypercar then spins across the road before hitting the barrier on the opposite side. Later in the clip, the driver can be seen receiving medical attention, though no details about the driver’s condition have been shared.
The Yangwang U9 Track Edition runs on BYD’s e4 Platform, which uses four motors with a combined output above 3,000 PS. BYD’s press release for the record run also said the car has a power-to-weight ratio of 1,217 PS per tonne. The company credited that setup for the speed record, as the four motors are designed to deliver steady power at very high speeds.
BYD has not released a statement about the crash, and its plans for the damaged car are not known. The company would likely need to rebuild the hypercar to its test specifications before attempting another run at 311 mph. The crash comes in the same year that BYD overtook Tesla in EV sales to become the world’s top electric vehicle seller.
This is not the first time a Yangwang U9 has been in a crash this year. In January, a U9 collided with a Zeekr 009 in China, and no serious injuries were reported. Social media users pointed out at the time that the U9 did not suffer a battery fire after the impact, which drew attention as the hypercar carries a large battery pack.
The record run that made the Track Edition famous took place last year, when the car hit 293.5 mph and set a new mark for electric vehicles. BYD promoted the result as proof of its e4 Platform. The crash footage now shows the same model badly damaged after a run in which the company was reportedly aiming even higher than its own record.
The Yangwang brand is BYD’s luxury line, and the U9 has been one of its most publicized models, known for promotional videos that show its suspension system making the car jump over obstacles. However, the Track Edition is a track-focused version of that car, and it is not built for everyday driving on public roads.
If BYD does rebuild the Yangwang U9 Track Edition, another attempt at 311 mph could put the electric hypercar back in the race for the overall top speed record.
Published: Nov 4, 2026 11:15 am