BYD, China’s largest new energy vehicle (NEV) manufacturer, has officially opened the country’s first all-terrain circuit designed exclusively for NEVs in Zhengzhou. The facility, which will be followed by new tracks in Hefei and Shaoxing, represents a major step in cultivating a homegrown NEV racing culture while showcasing BYD’s advanced technologies.
A Playground for NEVs
Unlike conventional race tracks with limited driving scenarios, the Zhengzhou All-Terrain Circuit brings together eight distinctive experience zones. These include an indoor sand dune, low-friction ring, kick-plate, wading pool, dynamic paddock, race track, off-road park, and even a camping area. The result is a one-stop venue for both professional drivers and the wider public to explore the full spectrum of NEV capabilities.
The circuit is anchored by record-setting features. Its indoor sand dune, constructed with 6,200 tons of sand to mimic the Alxa Desert, has been certified by Guinness World Records as the highest and largest dune-climbing facility for car testing. Meanwhile, the 70-meter water-crossing pool, designed for BYD’s flagship YANGWANG U8, allows visitors to watch the SUV maneuver underwater through observation glass—a real-time demonstration of the brand’s e⁽⁴⁾ platform safety systems.
Safety Meets Performance
Beyond thrills, BYD is positioning the circuit as a live testbed for safety innovation in extreme environments. The Kick Plate recreates icy-road conditions, enabling drivers to experience sudden loss of control in a controlled setting. The Low-Friction Circle, China’s first 44-meter-diameter circular track built from 30,000 basalt bricks and coated with water, lets drivers test NEV stability and drift handling with BYD’s millisecond-level electronic response and intelligent body control.
The facility also houses a 1,758-meter race track featuring nine curves and a 550-meter straight acceleration stretch, along with a dynamic paddock for slalom, moose tests, and automated parking. To broaden accessibility, the off-road section offers 27 terrains ranging from beginner to expert, ensuring even urban SUVs can participate.
Shaping China’s NEV Racing Culture
Looking ahead, BYD plans to expand this model with new facilities in Hefei and Shaoxing, where the latter will feature a 2,000-acre off-road area situated 500 meters above sea level. These efforts align with BYD’s collaboration with the Federation of Automobile and Motorcycle Sports of China (CAMF) under the “New Track Scheme,” which aims to introduce racing culture to a wider audience, target one million users, and nurture 100 professional NEV racers.
“BYD Circuits will accelerate the professionalization of China’s NEV racing events and reshape China’s automotive culture,” said CAMF President Guojun Zhan.
A Cultural Shift for NEVs
The launch of the Zhengzhou circuit is more than just an infrastructure project, it reflects BYD’s broader philosophy of “Technology for All.” By blending advanced NEV technologies with immersive driving scenarios, BYD is creating spaces that bring professional racing, safety testing, and consumer fun under one roof.
In doing so, the company is not only setting benchmarks for NEV performance but also shaping a cultural shift, where electric mobility is associated with excitement, innovation, and community.