Tesla Short Sellers Bag $16.2 Billion On Stock Plunge as BYD Soars

BYD hit a record-high market cap of nearly $160 billion following its latest innovation, while a sharp decline in the share price of Tesla has enriched short sellers by $16.2 billion.

BYD’s Blade cells utilize iron-based LFP chemistry, which is more durable than the nickel-heavy NMC cells found in other EVs. I Photo: BYD Facebook

Musk’s political stance appears to be hurting his business since “it’s not people with cowboy boots who buy Teslas,” Christiaan Hetzner reported for Fortune.

Tesla bulls are struggling. After suffering an unprecedented stock price plunge, short sellers have profited $16 billion, while rival BYD celebrated an all-time high. Shares of the Chinese EV manufacturer surged after unveiling two new models from its Dynasty series, namely the Han L executive sedan (5 meters long), and the Tang L SUV.

These vehicles feature BYD’s new "Super-e Platform," an advanced 1,000-volt electrical system—higher than even the 900V found in the Lucid Air. The platform supports a 1-megawatt DC fast charging system, allowing the new BYD models to add 400 kilometers of range in just five minutes, according to CnEVPost.

Fast charging can typically degrade battery life due to microscopic lithium metal needle formations that increase short-circuit risks.

However, BYD’s Blade cells utilize iron-based LFP chemistry, which is more durable than the nickel-heavy NMC cells found in other EVs. Following the announcement, BYD’s U.S.-traded American Depository Receipts (ADRs) rose 2.6%, hitting a new high of $102.70 per share.