BYD Unveils Ultra-Fast Charging Technology, Outpacing Tesla
Chinese car manufacturer BYD has introduced a groundbreaking new electric vehicle charging system, claiming it can replenish batteries as quickly as filling a gasoline tank. The ambitious ‘Super e-Platform’ boasts charging speeds up to 1000kW, or 1 megawatt, positioning it as a leader in the burgeoning electric vehicle (EV) market.
BYD’s new technology
This new technology offers twice the charging speed of Tesla’s latest 500kW superchargers. According to BYD, this translates to a five-minute charge adding 600km of driving range – approximately 2km of range per second – mirroring the time it takes to refuel a conventional gasoline vehicle.
BYD founder Wang Chuanfu, who live-streamed the announcement from the company’s headquarters, stated that the faster charging capability results from improved ion transfer within the electrolyte and reduced resistance in the battery’s diaphragm. To support this new technology, BYD plans to install 4,000 flash chargers across China, alongside nearby electricity storage solutions to ensure charging availability even during periods of high energy demand.
“In order to completely solve our users’ charging anxiety, we have been pursuing a goal to make the charging time of electric vehicles as short as the refuelling time of petrol vehicles,” Wang said.
The new flash-charging technology will debut in the Han L sedan and the Tang L SUV, the first models to utilize the Super e-Platform. While these models’ availability in Australian showrooms is unconfirmed, the new charging system will certainly be a key selling point.
BYD, the world’s second-largest battery maker (behind CATL), holds a significant advantage in EV development. The company plans to introduce its next-generation Blade 2 lithium-ion phosphate (LFP) batteries, offering up to 1000km on a single charge, potentially allowing a Sydney-to-Melbourne journey without needing to stop.
With the introduction of flash charging, BYD aims to reduce the charging time to equal those of gasoline vehicles, perhaps enticing buyers on long drives with a single stop. BYD aims to decrease the cost of its Blade 2 batteries, as the battery pack is the single most expensive component in an EV.
The intense competition in battery technology has also seen car makers also working on solid-state and semi-solid-state batteries with claims of up to 1200km range on a single charge. BYD is also set to introduce its premium Denza brand to Australian showrooms in 2025.
