Chinese Electric Vehicle (EV) giant BYD Co. has unveiled a game-changing battery system that can charge EVs in just 5 minutes. This breakthrough was first shown in the company’s Han L sedan. This groundbreaking technology can change the face of the EV industry by solving one of consumers’ most significant concerns with purchasing EVs – charging speed.
Imagine, charging your EVs as fast as refueling a traditional gasoline car. This is the future that everyone wants to see and BYDs new battery solution is making it true. During trials, the brand-new battery and charging technique facilitated a remarkable 470km (292 miles) range in simply 5 minutes. This technological innovation could be a turning point for those hesitant to develop an EV as a result of time-consuming charging.
The technology will then be offered in BYD’s Han L sedan and Tang L sport utility vehicles (SUVs) when they arrive in the market in April. The Han L will start at 270,000 yuan ($37,338) and the Tang L will be 280,000 yuan. This improvement solidifies BYD’s position as the top player in the EV market, where it is already keeping pace with Tesla for the number one spot.
BYD vs Tesla: A Battle for Supercharging Supremacy
Tesla Superchargers, which currently add up to 275 kilometers in 15 minutes have long been the benchmark for fast-charging infrastructure. However, BYD’s last breakthrough long surpasses Tesla’s technology. It is possible to achieve nearly double range and that is achieved in about a third of the execution time.
While Tesla keeps an impressive global network of over 65,000 Superchargers, BYD has put forward its aim to construct more than 4,000 charging stations all across China to back its ultra-fast charging system. If the company can build out its infrastructure fast, it could be a threat to Tesla in the EV charging business.
Ford and BYD CEOs Agree China’s EVs Are 3 to 10 Years Ahead of Competitors
Beyond the speed of charging, BYD’s new EV platform offers unmatched performance. According to the chairman and founder of BYD Wang Chuanfu, vehicles that utilize the new technology will be able to accelerate from 0 to 100 kilometers per hour in as little as two seconds. This places BYD among the fastest electric cars in the world, rivaling high-performance EVs from brands like Tesla, Porsche, and Rimac
China’s rapidly growing automaker has now gained its position as the number one manufacturer in the world’s biggest vehicle market. Passenger vehicle sales alone at BYD surpassed 318,000 in February – a rise of 161 percent from the same period in 2022. By having a market share of almost 15 percent, BYD is getting ever nearer to further eclipsing the EV market.
The Competitive Landscape: CATL and Li Auto
BYD’s Super e-Platform not only challenges Tesla but even the world’s largest EV battery maker Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd (CATL). CATL’s new battery tech supports charging that gets you 500 km on a 12-minute charge time — impressive, but still slower than BYD’s.
Li Auto, a rising challenger, is using the latest offerings from CATL for its EV performance improvement as well. If BYD’s technology is scalable and cost-effective, it can become the new benchmark for the EV industry, and create competitive pressure on competitors, who must speed up their own innovation in battery technology.
