BYD’s groundbreaking fast-charging technology could revolutionize electric vehicle refueling, offering charging speeds twice as fast as Tesla’s superchargers.
BYD Unveils New Fast-Charging System Capable of Charging as Quickly as Filling Up a Tank
Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker BYD has unveiled a new charging system that it claims can charge its cars as quickly as it takes to refill with petrol. The so-called ‘super e-platform’ is capable of peak charging speeds of 1,000 kilowatts (kW), enabling cars that use it to travel 400km on a five-minute charge.
BYD, or Build Your Dreams, is a Chinese multinational company that specializes in electric vehicles (EVs), rechargeable batteries, and other clean energy technologies.
Founded in 1995 by Wang Chuanfu, BYD has become one of the world's leading EV manufacturers.
The company's headquarters are located in Shenzhen, China.
BYD's product lineup includes passenger cars, buses, trucks, and motorcycles, all powered by electric or hybrid powertrains.
A New Standard for Fast Charging
Charging speeds of 1,000 kW would be twice as fast as Tesla‘s superchargers, whose latest version offers up to 500 kW charging speeds. This technology has been seen as key to increasing EV adoption, but it will be unwelcome news for already struggling Tesla.
Tesla‘s stock has plunged in recent weeks due to Elon Musk‘s championing of hard-right causes in Europe and his slashing of federal workforce as part of his work with the Trump administration. Since December, when Tesla‘s market value hit a record high of $1.5tn, it has fallen by almost half.
Elon Musk is a South African-born entrepreneur and business magnate.
He co-founded PayPal, which was later sold to eBay for $1.5 billion.
Musk then went on to found SpaceX, aiming to reduce space transportation costs and enable the colonization of Mars.
He also founded Tesla, Inc., revolutionizing electric vehicles with innovative designs and technologies.
Additionally, Musk is involved in The Boring Company, working towards reducing traffic congestion through underground tunnels.
BYD’s Charging Ambitions
BYD‘s founder ‘Wang Chuanfu‘ stated that the company aims to make charging time for electric vehicles as short as refuelling time for petrol vehicles. The new charging architecture will be initially available in two new EVs – Han L sedan and Tang L SUV priced from 270,000 yuan ($37,330).
The company plans to build more than 4,000 ultra-fast charging piles across China to match the new platform. However, BYD did not specify the time frame or how much it would invest in building such facilities. To date, BYD owners have largely relied on other automakers’ charging facilities or public charging poles run by third-party operators.
A New Era for Electric Vehicle Charging
Electric vehicle charging technology has undergone significant advancements in recent years.
Level 1 charging, which uses a standard household outlet, provides 4-5 miles per hour of charge.
Level 2 charging, using a 240-volt charger, charges at 10-25 miles per hour.
DC Fast Charging, introduced in 2010, can charge to 80% in under 30 minutes.
As of 2022, over 100,000 public charging stations are operational worldwide, with many countries investing heavily in expanding their networks.
BYD‘s move marks a significant step forward in electric vehicle charging technology. The company’s smaller Chinese peers, such as Nio, Li Auto, Xpeng, and Zeekr, have also been investing extensively in building charging facilities for years.
‘ With Reuters ‘
