BYD has launched new 10C ‘megawatt’ EV chargers capable of recharging an EV battery to around 250 miles of range in just five minutes. That’s right, the 1,000-volt EV platform can charge as fast—or perhaps faster—than a trip to the gas station.
BYD’s Super e-Platform can deliver a peak power of 1,000kW, which is twice the power of the latest-generation Tesla Supercharger. In reality, though, it’s probably triple the industry standard, as the vast majority of chargers can only reach about 350kW, with many of them—in the U.S., at least—usually in the 200s.
The Tech Behind BYD’s Super e-Platform
To achieve a peak power delivery of 1,000kW, BYD’s Super e-Platform uses “a new generation of automotive-grade silicon carbide power chips,” a single-module motor capable of 30,000 rpm, and a comprehensively upgraded three-core electrical system. The 10C rate adds 2 kilometers (1.24 miles) of range per second.
Before you get too carried away, it’s worth noting that not every car is manufactured to support such speeds. In other words, you can’t plug in your Chevy Bolt and hope for the best, as you’d melt your charging cable for starters.
In the “kilovolt era,” as BYD calls it, vehicles will need 1000-volt architecture with batteries, motors, and heat management capable of supporting such lightning charging speeds. That’s why it has upgraded its premium, China-exclusive Han L and Tang EV sedans with all the latest features.
The upgrades also include a new battery designed to reduce internal resistance by 50 percent. Achieving this feat involves an ultra-high-speed ion channel running from the anode to the cathode.
That’s truly impressive—internal resistance in a battery increases over time and slows down the charging rate. BYD claims its Super e-Platform can provide nearly 250 miles of range in a mere five minutes by doubling the power delivery and halving internal resistance.
Wang Chuanfu, CEO of BYD, said: “In order to completely solve users’ charging anxiety, our goal is to make the charging time of electric vehicles as short as the refueling time of ICE vehicles.”
BYD Wants to Build a Charging Network
BYD plans to set up over 4,000 ultra-fast charging stations across China to support future models with these industry-leading charging speeds. However, the timeline for this rollout has not been disclosed.
Analysts have cautioned that widespread adoption of fast-charging technology could strain power grid capacity, requiring significant investments and efforts to upgrade the infrastructure. BYD has stated that it plans to address this challenge by equipping each fast charger with an energy storage unit, though analysts note that this could make such facilities much more expensive.
How-To Geek’s Take
There are no ifs or buts about it—BYD’s debut of the Super e-Platform marks a significant milestone for the EV industry. On paper, BYD has created and delivered platform architecture that is the best in the world.
Granted, this tech is designed in China and intended for the Chinese market—at least for now—but it has proven that charging speeds can now rival the convenience of a gas station visit. Hopefully, it will also go some way to encouraging EV adoption.
For far too long, charging times have been a major barrier to widespread EV adoption. News like this shatters a key obstacle for the industry and offers a glimpse into a future where EVs can recharge quickly, removing one more argument from the critics.
Source: BYD via Weibo
