New energy vehicle (NEV) manufacturer BYD has launched new “super e-platform”, which it claims can deliver peak charging speeds of up to 1 megawatt (MW) .
BYD founder Wang Chuanfu was cited by Reuters as saying that in a livestream from the company’s Shenzhen headquarters that the platform enables compatible vehicles to gain enough power for a 400km (249 miles) journey after just a five-minute charge.
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This new charging capability is set to be twice as fast as Tesla’s superchargers, which currently offer up to 500kW charging speeds.
Chuanfu said: “In order to completely solve our user’s charging anxiety, we have been pursuing a goal to make the charging time of electric vehicles as short as the refuelling time of petrol vehicles.
“This is the first time in the industry that the unit of megawatt (charge) has been achieved on charging power.”
The new super-charging technology will be initially available in two of BYD’s new EV models, the Han L sedan and the Tang L SUV, with starting prices at 270,000 yuan ($37,328.91).
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By GlobalDataTo support this technology, BYD has committed to constructing over 4,000 ultra-fast charging piles across China.
Chuanfu was quoted by CNBC as saying: “The ultimate solution is to make charging as quick as refuelling a gasoline car.”
However, the company has not disclosed the investment amount or the timeline for this infrastructure project.
BYD has experienced substantial growth in sales, predominantly from plug-in hybrids, reaching 4.2 million units last year.
The company is aiming to sell between up to six million units this year.
In February 2025, BYD introduced an advanced autonomous driving system named God’s Eye, which is expected to be equipped on all its car models, including the affordably priced Seagull at 69,800 yuan ($9,555).
