BYD’s New EVs Boast Ultra-Fast Charging Capabilities
Chinese automaker BYD has unveiled two new electric vehicle models, the Han L and Tang, equipped with high-performance specifications and groundbreaking charging capabilities. Both models are capable of accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in under three seconds. Base versions produce over 650 horsepower, while top-tier dual-motor variants exceed 1,050 horsepower.
However, the most significant development is the new Super E platform, a 1,000-volt architecture that enables rapid DC fast charging. According to BYD, this technology allows compatible chargers to add hundreds of kilometers of range in less than five minutes. While this advancement could revolutionize EV charging, its implementation in markets like Israel, where the charging infrastructure lags behind, remains a challenge.
The State of Ultra-Fast Charging
Many Chinese automakers, including Hyundai, have already adopted 800-volt platforms, which enable super-fast charging. However, these systems have yet to be widely adopted in regions like Israel due to older infrastructure and potentially insufficient support for high-power charging.
Fast charging performance depends on both the car’s battery capacity (measured in kWh) and its optimal charging voltage. Some EVs can accept up to 70 kW, while others can handle 150 kW. However, charging speeds can fluctuate as the battery fills. For instance, a vehicle rated for 170 kW may experience a drop in charging power as it nears full capacity.
In practice, fast chargers are not designed to charge a battery from 0% to 100%. Instead, a charge from 40% to 70% may be sufficient to reach a destination, with higher voltages leading to reduced charging times. Charging stations vary in power output, ranging from 50 kW to 350 kW. In Israel, no public stations exceed 400 kW.
BYD’s Next-Gen Charging Technology
The new BYD models feature LFP batteries with an 83.2 kWh capacity, which is relatively standard. The breakthrough lies in the charging technology. BYD claims its batteries can charge ten times faster than competitors, drawing power from 1,000 kW chargers. For comparison, even Tesla’s Cybertruck maxes out at 350 kW.
If BYD’s claims prove true, its vehicles could gain one kilometer of range per second. This would mean a five-minute charge could provide several hundred kilometers of driving range, rivaling gasoline-powered cars.
However, achieving these speeds requires 1,000 kW chargers. Currently, these are only available within BYD’s ecosystem. The company has announced plans to deploy 4,000 ultra-fast chargers across China but has not specified a timeline.
Other Chinese automakers are also expanding their charging networks. NIO operates approximately 2,700 fast chargers in China, while Li Auto (not sold in Israel) has 1,900 chargers. Zeekr plans to install 2,000 fast-charging stations by 2026.
A China-First Innovation
While BYD’s charging technology is impressive, its immediate impact is limited to China. In markets like Israel and the United States, ultra-fast charging stations rarely exceed 400 kW, making 1,000 kW charging impractical.
Nevertheless, if BYD successfully rolls out its charging network, gasoline-powered cars could become obsolete in China. EV drivers would no longer need to worry about range or charging times.
