Chinese automaker BYD has set a new benchmark in electric vehicle performance with its luxury EV model, the Yangwang U9. The car achieved a verified top speed of 472.41 km/h (294 mph) during an engineering test at Germany's ATP proving grounds, making it the fastest production-based electric vehicle in the world. The Yangwang U9 features a 3,019-horsepower powertrain, an 80 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery, and supports charging speeds up to 500 kW. The model was launched on February 25, 2024, with a price tag of approximately CNY 1.6 million (USD 234,528). Meanwhile, in the United States, the expansion of fast-charging infrastructure is enabling longer electric vehicle road trips. Despite reductions in EV incentives under the Trump administration, the number of fast chargers is expected to triple over the next four years. A recent 1,600-mile drive in an electric SUV demonstrated that such trips are now feasible without range anxiety, although the journey required about 10 charging stops compared to fewer stops for gasoline SUVs. However, charging availability remains limited in many national parks, posing challenges for EV drivers on extended trips.