BYD Unveils Fast-Charging System Rivaling Gas Refueling Speed.
Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker BYD has unveiled a groundbreaking fast-charging system that could make EV charging as quick as refueling with petrol. Additionally, the company announced plans to build a nationwide charging network across China for the first time.
The innovative “super e-platform” will deliver peak charging speeds of 1,000 kilowatts (kW), enabling EVs to gain a 400km (249-mile) range in just five minutes, according to founder Wang Chuanfu. Speaking at a livestreamed event from BYD’s Shenzhen headquarters on Monday, Wang highlighted the platform's ability to significantly improve charging efficiency. Charging at 1,000 kW is twice as fast as Tesla’s latest Superchargers, which offer up to 500 kW. The development marks a major step forward in fast-charging technology, seen as a key factor in accelerating EV adoption.
The news comes at a challenging time for Tesla, whose stock has been struggling. On March 10 alone, Tesla shares dropped 15%, exacerbating a months-long downward trend. Since reaching a market value of $1.5 trillion in December, Tesla’s valuation has nearly halved due to missed sales targets and growing investor concerns over its delayed autonomous vehicle technology. The company also faces intensifying competition from Chinese EV makers like BYD, which offer more affordable models. On Wall Street, Tesla stock fell another 4.8% on Monday, marking its eighth consecutive weekly decline, according to Barron’s.
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“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 refueling time of petrol vehicles,” Wang said.
“This is the first time in the industry that the unit of megawatt (charge) has been achieved on charging power,” he added.
The new charging system will first be available on BYD’s Han L sedan and Tang L SUV, priced from 270,000 yuan ($37,330). To support this technology, BYD plans to install more than 4,000 ultra-fast charging stations across China.
The company has not specified a timeline or investment amount for the network rollout. Until now, BYD owners have primarily relied on public charging stations operated by third-party providers or charging facilities from other automakers.
Tesla introduced its Supercharger network in China in 2014, while other Chinese EV makers such as Nio, Li Auto, Xpeng, and Zeekr have been investing heavily in their own charging infrastructure.
BYD remains a dominant force in the EV market, with sales reaching 4.2 million units last year, largely driven by plug-in hybrids. The company has set an ambitious target of selling 5-6 million vehicles in 2024.
The introduction of BYD’s ultra-fast charging technology could be a game-changer for the EV industry. By significantly reducing charging times, it addresses one of the main concerns potential buyers have—range anxiety. With more reliable and accessible charging infrastructure, consumers may feel more confident switching to electric vehicles, boosting EV adoption worldwide.
As more automakers follow BYD’s lead, this advancement has the potential to reshape the future of sustainable transportation, making EVs a more practical and appealing option for drivers everywhere.
