Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer BYD has announced a breakthrough in charging technology, claiming that its latest system can deliver 400 kilometres (approximately 249 miles) of range in just five minutes. The innovation aims to eliminate long charging times, positioning EV charging on par with refuelling conventional petrol vehicles.
BYD’s announcement, made at a company event in China, signals a major leap forward in EV infrastructure. Wang Chuanfu, the company’s founder, emphasised BYD’s commitment to improving charging speeds.
“To completely solve users’ anxiety over charging, our pursuit is to make the charging time for EVs as short as the refuelling time for fuel vehicles,” Wang said.
Charging as Fast as Refueling. 400 km in Just 5 Minutes.
— BYD (@BYDCompany) March 18, 2025
Introducing BYD Super e-Platform. The world’s first mass-produced full-domain 1,000V high-voltage architecture.
⚡ Megawatt Flash Charging delivers 2 km of range per second
⚡ 1,000 kW (1 MW) power enables 400 km in… pic.twitter.com/5s1OW9c6eU
4,000 ‘flash-charging stations’ planned across China
The new charging system relies on ultra-high voltage and large current to achieve its unprecedented speed. It works in tandem with BYD’s proprietary Blade lithium-ion phosphate battery, known for its safety and efficiency.
To support this breakthrough, BYD plans to install 4,000 “flash-charging stations” across China, although specific investment figures and timelines have not yet been disclosed.
With a peak charging power of 1,000 kilowatts (kW), BYD’s system far surpasses Tesla’s superchargers, which currently provide up to 500 kW. This puts the Chinese automaker ahead in the race for faster and more efficient EV charging.
Upcoming models and market impact
The Han L sedan and Tang L SUV will be the first models equipped with this rapid-charging capability, with prices starting at 270,000 yuan (approximately €36,000). The announcement has already had an impact on the stock market, with BYD’s Hong Kong-listed shares rising 4.1% to reach an all-time high of 408.80 Hong Kong dollars.
Industry analysts suggest that this move could further consolidate BYD’s position as a global EV leader, especially as it competes with established players like Tesla.
BYD challenges Tesla’s dominance
BYD’s latest innovation comes at a time of increasing competition in the EV market, particularly with Tesla, which has long dominated the high-performance EV segment. While Tesla has focused on expanding its global network of superchargers, BYD’s new technology could redefine industry standards by cutting charging times in half.
The rapid-charging system directly addresses “range anxiety,” one of the biggest concerns among EV buyers. By eliminating long waits at charging stations, BYD’s development could accelerate consumer adoption of electric vehicles.
In almost every country where both brands are available, Tesla’s cheapest car costs at least $11,000 more than BYD’s https://t.co/yVQZbnQs0r pic.twitter.com/I17A4PbhpH
— Rest of World (@restofworld) March 12, 2025
Tesla, which has recently faced declining sales, particularly in Europe, and investor pressure, may now be forced to respond with improvements to its own battery and charging technology. Although Tesla’s Supercharger network remains a key advantage, BYD’s expansion of flash-charging stations in China could give it a significant edge in the world’s largest EV market.
The battle for EV supremacy is heating up, and BYD’s five-minute charging technology could be a game-changer in the industry’s future.
