BYD, a Chinese automotive manufacturer, has announced a groundbreaking new battery technology poised to significantly reduce electric vehicle (EV) charging times. The company claims its new Super E-Platform offers charging speeds comparable to the time it takes to fill a gasoline tank.
The new technology boasts 1,000kW charge speeds, surpassing the 250kW charging rates currently offered by Tesla Superchargers. With these speeds, drivers could potentially add up to 400km (249 miles) of range in just five minutes of charging.
During a live stream event held at BYD’s headquarters in Shenzhen, China, company representatives stated that this new technology would “completely solve users’ range anxiety when travelling.” The first vehicles to incorporate this ultra-fast charging system will be BYD’s latest Han L and Tang L models. Initially, these models will only be available in the Chinese market.
Demand for electric vehicles in China has surged in recent years, leading to over 20 million battery-powered cars currently on the road. BYD has emerged as the best-selling brand in the country, capturing approximately one-third of all EV sales within China. Last year, BYD surpassed Tesla to become the world’s largest EV manufacturer. Despite this achievement, BYD’s market presence outside of China remains relatively modest, particularly in Europe, and it has yet to establish a presence in the U.S.
Data from the International Energy Agency (IEA) indicates a global shift in the automotive market. The IEA’s figures reveal a decline in the demand for combustion engine cars as electric vehicle sales have risen. In 2023, electric cars represented 18 percent of all new car sales worldwide, a notable increase from 14 percent the previous year.
Meanwhile, sales of combustion engine cars decreased by a quarter, from 83.7 million to 62.8 million, between 2018 and 2023. This data suggests that global sales of polluting vehicles may have already peaked.
BYD’s latest innovation is expected to further drive demand for EVs. However, this flash-charging system will require specialist charging ports to achieve the most efficient charging times. During the livestream, BYD’s founder, Wang Chuanfu, mentioned that the Han L and Tang L models are expected to be priced starting around $40,000.
