Bloomberg reported that BYD Co., a leading Chinese automaker, has introduced a groundbreaking battery and charging system for electric vehicles (EVs) that promises to revolutionize the industry. This innovative technology, unveiled by BYD's Chairman and Founder Wang Chuanfu, can charge an EV in just five minutes, offering a range of 470 kilometers (292 miles) – a feat that brings EV charging times remarkably close to the speed of refueling a traditional gasoline-powered car. The system was demonstrated on BYD's new Han L sedan, signaling its potential to reshape the future of electric mobility.
Video: China's BYD, originally a battery company, prides itself in fire-resistant batteries for cars
The company's new battery and charging technology, demonstrated on its Han L sedan, delivered an impressive 470 kilometers (292 miles) of range in just 5 minutes during tests. This leap forward, announced by BYD Chairman and Founder Wang Chuanfu at the company's Shenzhen headquarters, could sway hesitant drivers to switch to electric cars by eliminating the inconvenience of long charging stops.
The new system, dubbed the Super e-Platform, is set to power many of BYD's upcoming EV models, further solidifying its position as a global leader in the industry. Having already overtaken Tesla Inc. as the world's top EV seller, BYD's innovation could widen its edge. "This is BYD elevating the game to another dimension," said Lei Xing, an independent China autos analyst, as reported by Bloomberg. The technology outpaces Tesla's Superchargers, which provide up to 275 kilometers of range in 15 minutes, though Tesla boasts a vast network of over 65,000 chargers worldwide. In comparison, Mercedes-Benz Group AG's recently unveiled entry-level CLA electric sedan adds 325 kilometers in 10 minutes, still lagging behind BYD's reported speeds.
BYD's advancements extend beyond charging. Wang revealed that the Super e-Platform enables vehicles to accelerate from 0 to 100 kilometers per hour in a mere 2 seconds, a feat that underscores the company's focus on performance. This combination of speed, range, and rapid charging could turbocharge BYD's already stellar 2025 performance. Last month, the company sold over 318,000 passenger vehicles - all hybrids or fully electric - marking a 161% increase from the previous year, per Bloomberg. With a market share nearing 15% in China, the world's largest auto market, BYD reigns as the top carmaker there, bolstered by a 45% surge in its Hong Kong-listed shares this year.
Analysts see this technology as a catalyst for BYD's next growth phase. Joanna Chen, a China autos analyst with Bloomberg Intelligence, noted, "This could mark the beginning of a new wave of model rollouts, propelling BYD's battery-electric vehicle sales to catch up with hybrids after they fell behind in 2024." Indeed, while BYD's hybrid sales have soared, its pure electric models have lagged, a gap this system might close. The company's focus on affordability also shines through, as it integrates advanced driver-assistance features like lane-keeping and adaptive cruise control into even its cheapest models, a move announced earlier this year.
The Super e-Platform could also ripple through the EV supply chain, challenging competitors like Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd. (CATL), the world's leading EV battery maker. For instance, Li Auto Inc. uses CATL's latest batteries to achieve 500 kilometers of range in 12 minutes, a strong but slower performance compared to BYD's offering, as highlighted by Bloomberg. BYD's in-house innovation might reduce reliance on external suppliers, strengthening its competitive stance.
