BYD Unveils 1,000 kW Battery: 500 km Range in 5-Minute Charge

Chinese vehicle manufacturer BYD has developed a new charging platform that it claims can reduce charging duration to the same speed as refueling a petrol vehicle. The company also claimed that plans for constructing a network of fast-charging stations throughout China were underway, which indicates a dramatic change in their paradigm of EV infrastructure. Super e-Platform, as it was named by Wang Chuanfu, the company's founder, was presented at a conference remotely held from headquarters BYD in Shenzhen on Monday per Reuters news. 
 
The platform enables peak charging speeds of 1,000kilowatts (kW) which means that electric vehicles can cover 400km (249miles) of distance in 5 minutes. Additionally, this achievement responds to one of the biggest hindrances in the way of people accepting electric vehicles - charging time. The company made known earlier that they intended to build an excess of 4,000 ultra fast charging stations to assist the new platform. No anticipated budgetary amount has been disclosed along with a set timeframe for the project. 

Tesla’s latest Superchargers at 500 kW are half as fast as this new technology can offer and they are currently the fastest available. It's possible that this is the latest advancement in how we approach EV charging systems.

New owners of BYD vehicles have networked on third party charging solutions provided by Tesla, Nio, Li Auto, Xpeng, Zekr, and other companies. New EV models will feature super e-platform as well. 

The Han L sedan alongside the Tang L SUV will be the first two BYD models to receive the new charging platform integrated into the e-Platform 3.0 alongside other electric technologies. The expected cost of these vehicles will sit at around 270,000 yuans which translates to nearly $37,400 dollars. The newer platform from BYD also includes: 

Blade battery tech By which the platform consists of BYD’s Blade Battery – a lithium iron phosphate battery. This battery has gone through rigorous safety examinations, such as the nail penetration test which aims to replicate a worst scenario. BYD claims the batteries are more stable than conventional lithium-ion batteries at lower temperatures.  

8-in-1 electric powertrain: designed to enhance energy efficiency, which the company claims reaches 89 per cent.  

Aerodynamic improvements: vehicles with longer wheelbases paired with a reduced height to improve energy efficiency and range.  

With the automaker claiming that it is possible for the battery to charge at an 80% capacity from 10% in under 10 minutes, it is now likely to exceed a driving range of over 1,000 km (621 miles) on a single charge.

BYD vs Tesla: Who takes the lead in EV charging?

In the realm of plug-in hybrids, BYD has outdone itself by recording sales of 4.2 million vehicles in 2024 with a goal of five to six million for 2025. The company has given indications of investing in its own charging infrastructure, which shows a clear shift towards self-sufficiency in China's EV sector, where car manufacturers have always depended on external charging networks. 

Tesla has been making use of its Supercharger network in China since 2014, but with competitors like Nio and Xpeng coming onto the scene, there has been an investment arms race when it comes to charging infrastructure including battery swap stations. 

Having charging times as a detriment is one of the biggest barriers to widespread EV acceptance, but BYD ultra-fast charging technology could help. Their success will rely heavily on the speed of infrastructure development and real world performance. There has been no indication given by the company about when the new clamored charging stations will be available, or if they will be accessible to non-BYD EVs. 

BYD’s advances could help foreign expansion; however, Tesla and other competitors are on the rise, and having a dependably extensive charging infrastructure puts them at a huge advantage.

At the same time, Tesla's stock is experiencing some strain and fell over 4 percent on Monday as the company continues to try and mitigate their ongoing market slump.