Chinese automaker BYD has grown by leaps and bounds over the past couple of years, coming very close to overtaking Ford in terms of global sales through 2024. BYD continues to expand to various global markets including Europe and Mexico, and as such, is also looking to beef up its production footprint. However, at the same time, the EV-heavy automaker is also working on developing new, faster charging solutions for EVs, and just unveiled the latest fruit of that labor.
According to The Guardian, BYD has unveiled what it calls the “super e-platform,” a system that is reportedly capable of delivering peak charging speeds of 1,000 kilowatts – double that of current Tesla Superchargers. This is good enough to add a whopping 249 miles of range in just five minutes, and will debut in two models first – the Han L sedan and Tang L SUV. BYD will also build around 4,000 new ultra-fast charging stations across China to support this upgrade, though it’s unclear when that might happen.
“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,” said BYD founder Wang Chuanfu. “This is the first time in the industry that the unit of megawatt (charge) has been achieved on charging power.”
Reportedly looking at Germany as the site of its potential third European plant, BYD is already building production facilities in Turkey and Hungary, though it’s facing some controversy in Brazil, where labor authorities claim that they found 163 Chinese nationals working in “slavery-like conditions” – allegations Chinese contractor Jinjiang Group has denied. Regardless, Ford CEO Jim Farley has long seen BYD as a major threat to the company’s business, which is precisely why The Blue Oval is working to play catchup in various ways.
Comments
This is a game changer. If it really works as advertised, being able to charge up in 5 minutes changes the entire industry dynamic. For years, the Chinese stole our best ideas. Now they are creating better ideas. I wonder what role AI played in the development?
“For years, the Chinese stole our best ideas. Now they are creating better ideas.” BINGO
We lost…
What happens when the alleged 200% tariffs on these vehicles still leaves BYD in a position to sell EV’s competitively in the U.S.?
They have superior technology, superior economics of scale and superior ‘lean’ engineering and cost-cutting advantages. We lost. Everyone loses when they’re being heavily subsidized by their government.