Chinese automaker BYD has pushed the limits of electric car performance, with its Yangwang U9 Xtreme reaching 503.17 km/h (312.3 mph) during a high-speed test in Abu Dhabi. The run set a production car speed record and was also recognised as the fastest speed achieved by a production electric car in a single direction.

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German racing driver Marc Basseng drove the electric supercar during the test on November 1, on a closed stretch of the Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed International Road (E11) in Abu Dhabi's Al Dhafra region. The record attempt took place on a specially secured 7-kilometre straight, with a 10-kilometre section of the highway closed for the test.

The record was achieved over two days of testing. Basseng first reached 490 km/h before the team made adjustments to the car's rear wing, suspension and tyre pressure. The changes helped the driver reach the final speed of 503.17 km/h on his second attempt.

Representatives of the FIA and Guinness World Records confirmed the result. 

The Yangwang U9 Xtreme is a track-focused version of BYD's flagship electric supercar. It is equipped with four electric motors, each delivering 555 kW, taking the combined output to 2,220 kW, or more than 3,000 horsepower.

The motors can spin at speeds of up to 30,000 revolutions per minute. The car also uses a 1,200-volt electrical architecture and a track-focused version of BYD's Blade battery. Special semi-slick tyres developed with Giti Tire were used during the record attempt.

BYD plans to produce only 30 units of the Yangwang U9 Xtreme, with each car priced at approximately $3 million.