BYD Revolutionizes EV Charging with Megawatt Technology
BYD, a prominent player in the electric vehicle (EV) market, has unveiled its innovative ‘Super e-Platform,’ incorporating groundbreaking battery and charging technology poised to redefine the EV charging experience. The new platform, coupled with the ‘Megawatt Flash Charger,’ boasts the capacity to deliver unprecedented charging speeds.
The ‘Super e-Platform’ and Flash-Charge Batteries
At the heart of BYD’s innovation lies its new ‘Super e-Platform’. This platform utilizes redesigned blade batteries, referred to as ‘flash-charge batteries,’ designed for accelerated ion transfer and reduced resistance. According to CN EV China, these enhancements translate to faster charging times. BYD states that the new batteries are capable of supporting up to 1,000 volts and charging currents reaching 1,000 amps, allowing charging power to reach up to one megawatt.
During the presentation, BYD emphasized its achievement in the global mass production of megawatt flash charging technology, citing a peak charging speed of just one second for a range of 2 kilometers, a feature designed to alleviate range anxiety among EV drivers. The 10C charging rate offered by the platform’s batteries surpasses any other mass-produced battery currently available. The ‘C’ rating signifies the relationship between the battery capacity and supported charging power.
For instance, a battery with an 80 kWh capacity can be charged at 80 kW with a 1C rating. Consequently, at a 5C rate, the same battery could potentially receive power at up to 400 kW.
Initial Models and Availability
BYD announced this 1,000-volt platform back in early March, with plans to incorporate this new technology into the Han L and Tang L models. Pre-orders for these models have already commenced in China, with the official market launch scheduled for early April. The starting price for these models is set at 270,000 yuan, equivalent to approximately 34,000 euros.
BYD’s website indicates that the Han L EV will support charging rates up to 10C, whereas the Tang L EV can achieve up to 8.4C. With the 8.4 C charging rate the Tang L EV can add up to 370 kilometers within five minutes, while the Han L EV can add an additional 400 kilometers in the same period.
Beyond the Battery: A High-Performance System
The ‘Super e-Platform’ extends beyond its innovative battery technology. The platform also features a high-performance 580 kW electric motor on the rear axle and new-generation silicon carbide power modules (1,500V). The electric motor achieves up to 30,511 revolutions per minute, surpassing the performance of V12 fuel engines, according to BYD. According to Car News China, this setup enables the EV to accelerate from zero to 100 kph in about 2 seconds. The carmaker’s website reports that the Han L EV takes 2.7 seconds and the Tang L EV 3.9 seconds to achieve 100 kph. The Tang L EV’s top speed is 257 kph, while the Han L EV can reach speeds of up to 305 kph.
The ‘Megawatt Flash Charger’
Complementing the ‘Super e-Platform,’ BYD has presented an ultra-fast charging station, the so-called ‘Megawatt Flash Charger,’ which supports charging power exceeding one megawatt (some media outlets have reported 1,000 kW, but BYD suggests a capability of up to 1,360 kW). This charger supports 10C charging, enabling the aforementioned EVs equipped with the 1,000V system to recharge up to 400 kilometers in just five minutes.
During a live demonstration, the ‘Megawatt Flash Charger’ reached the 1 MW charging level in just 10 seconds while charging a Han L EV and a Tang L EV, as noted by Car News China. BYD plans to install over 4,000 of its new ‘Megawatt Flash Chargers’ and, when necessary, will incorporate stationary energy storage units to ensure an adequate power supply.
Comparison with Competitors
For context, Tesla anticipates increasing charging speeds to up to 500 kW with its V4 Supercharger. Xpeng’s S5 offers 800 kW, but similarly, no mass-produced cars can yet support that level of charging power. Moreover, grid limitations present another consideration.
Currently, the first Chinese EVs are already available with 5C batteries. Examples are the Li Mega from Li Auto and the current version of the Zeekr 001. These vehicles are equipped with batteries from CATL, which should be able to charge up to 500 kilometers in twelve minutes; nonetheless, they can only support maximum charging power for a brief period.
Sources
carnewschina.com, cnevpost.com, byd.com (Han L EV), byd.com (Tang L EV)
