Chinese automaker BYD has unveiled a groundbreaking electric car charging system, the ‘Super e-Platform,’ boasting speeds of up to 1000kW – an astonishing 1 megawatt. This technology is designed to make recharging an electric vehicle as quick as refueling a petrol car. Damion Smy reports on this advancement.
BYD Claims Faster Charging Than Tesla
BYD’s new system charges at twice the speed of Tesla’s latest 500kW superchargers, making it the fastest charging battery technology available. The company claims that with this technology, a five-minute recharge can add 600km of driving range – approximately 2km of range every second, comparable to the time it takes to fill a typical petrol-powered car.
According to BYD, this rapid charging capability is achieved through faster ion transfer within the electrolyte and reduced resistance in the battery’s diaphragm.
The Future of EV Charging
To support this new charging technology, BYD plans to install 4,000 flash chargers across China, according to founder Wang Chuanfu.
“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. He also noted that BYD is the first in the industry to achieve a megawatt-level charging power.
The Han L sedan and Tang L SUV, the first models to utilize the Super e-Platform, are expected to launch in April 2025.
BYD, the world’s second-largest battery maker, behind CATL, already holds a significant advantage in electric car development. The company is also set to release its next-generation Blade 2 lithium-ion phosphate (LFP) batteries, promising up to 1000km on a single charge. The flash charging technology and extended battery range could enhance the appeal of electric vehicles for people looking to take longer trips without long stops underway. BYD is also targeting a 15 per cent cost reduction for its Blade 2 batteries, making electric vehicles more affordable.
Competition in battery technology remains fierce, with brands such as Toyota, Honda, and Mercedes-Benz developing solid-state and semi-solid-state batteries. These advancements are expected to allow ranges of up to 1200km on a single charge.
BYD plans to bring its premium Denza brand to Australian showrooms in 2025. Further details regarding BYD’s new charging system and latest battery technology are expected at the launch of the Han L sedan and Tang L SUV in April 2025.
