The Chinese EV brand unveiled two new models that will give a 400 km range with just five minutes of charging time.
18 Mar 2025 | 3409 Views | By Sreejith Rajan
In a move that could fundamentally transform electric vehicle adoption orldwide, Chinese auto giant BYD has unveiled a breakthrough charging platform capable of adding nearly 250 miles of range in just five minutes—a quantum leap that brings EV refueling times remarkably close to traditional gasoline vehicles.
The "Super E-Platform," ...
This is an Autocar Pro Plus article. Subscribe to continue reading.
In a move that could fundamentally transform electric vehicle adoption orldwide, Chinese auto giant BYD has unveiled a breakthrough charging platform capable of adding nearly 250 miles of range in just five minutes—a quantum leap that brings EV refueling times remarkably close to traditional gasoline vehicles.
The "Super E-Platform," announced by BYD founder and chairman Wang Chuanfu on March 17, 2025, during a livestreamed event from the company's Shenzhen headquarters, represents what industry observers are calling the most significant advancement in charging technology since Tesla introduced its Supercharger network over a decade ago.
BYD's new architecture operates at an unprecedented 1,000 volts with charging speeds of up to 1,000 kilowatts (1 megawatt), dramatically outpacing current industry leaders. For comparison, Tesla's latest V4 Superchargers max out at 500kW, delivering approximately 171 miles of range in 15 minutes—three times longer than BYD's system for comparable range.
Because of this, BYD can achieve charging rates of 10x the battery capacity per hour. In other words, it can charge a battery in 1/10th of an hour, or 6 minutes. While this may not actually be the case -- because charging speeds drop significantly once the battery is charged to about 80% -- it is enough to deliver 70-80% charge at close to the peak rate -- say within 5 minutes -- even if achieving the full 100% charge takes 15 minutes or more.
In comparison, most fast chargers around the world charge at 150-350 kW -- or about 15-35% speed compared to BYD's new system. This is because of technical challenges to do with the heat generated in the battery during charging.
Higher charging voltages and currents (like BYD’s 10C charging rate) generate immense heat. Most lithium-ion batteries—whether using NMC (Nickel Manganese Cobalt), LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate), or other chemistries—risk thermal runaway, degradation, or reduced lifespan if charged too quickly without advanced cooling and cell design.
In comparison, BYD’s Blade Battery, an LFP-based design, has been reengineered for the Super E-Platform. Its prismatic, flat structure offers better heat dissipation and structural stability compared to cylindrical or pouch cells used by many competitors (e.g., Tesla’s 4680 cells or LG’s pouch cells). BYD claims a 10C charging multiplier (charging at 10 times the battery’s capacity per hour), which suggests significant advancements in electrode design, electrolyte composition, and cooling systems. Others haven’t matched this because their battery designs prioritize energy density or cost over extreme charging rates.
Tesla’s 400-volt systems (upgrading to 800V in Cybertruck) and Porsche’s 800-volt Taycan can achieve 200-350 kW charging, adding 200-300 km of range in 15-20 minutes. These are fast but fall short of BYD’s 400 km in five minutes, likely due to less aggressive thermal management or chemistry optimization.
Moving to a 1,000-volt system also requires redesigning the entire EV powertrain—wiring, inverters, motors, and onboard chargers. Higher voltages reduce current (and thus cable size and weight), but they demand better insulation, more robust components, and stricter safety standards, all of which increase complexity and cost.
BYD has an advantage in that it has vertically integrated its supply chain, producing its own batteries, chips, and power electronics. This control allows them to tailor the Super E-Platform holistically for 1,000V, from the battery to the motor. Their experience with high-voltage systems in buses (BYD has supplied electric buses globally) likely aided this transition.
In comparison, most automakers use 400-volt systems (e.g., Tesla Model 3/Y, Hyundai Ioniq 5 pre-2025) because they’re cheaper and compatible with existing charging infrastructure. Porsche, Hyundai (post-2025 Ioniq models), and Lucid have adopted 800-volt systems, but scaling to 1,000V requires overcoming cost barriers and ensuring component reliability—hurdles many haven’t prioritized yet.
Recognizing that revolutionary charging technology requires matching infrastructure, BYD announced plans to deploy over 4,000 ultra-fast charging stations across China. This massive infrastructure investment, estimated to cost several billion dollars, demonstrates the company's commitment to creating a complete ecosystem around its new platform.
While details about international expansion remain limited, BYD's growing presence in Europe, Southeast Asia, and Latin America suggests the technology will eventually reach global markets, though likely at higher price points reflecting import duties and market positioning.
BYD will debut the technology in two premium models: the Han L sedan and Tang L SUV, priced from 270,000 yuan (Rs 30 lakhs) and 280,000 yuan, respectively. Both vehicles feature advanced driver assistance systems including roof-mounted LiDAR sensors and acceleration times rivaling luxury sports cars.
The Han L boasts a 0-60 mph time of approximately 2.7 seconds, positioning it against the Tesla Model 3 Performance, while the seven-seat Tang L SUV accelerates to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds.