If EVs Could Charge In 5 Minutes, Would You Switch?
Chinese firm, BYD, has officially unveiled its Super e-Platform, a groundbreaking EV architecture that promises to deliver the fastest charging speeds in the world. With a 1,000-volt electrical system and the ability to handle 1,000 kW of charging power, BYD's latest innovation could make EV charging times nearly as quick as filling your tank with gas.
Key Points
- The new 1,000-volt architecture supports 1,000 kW charging, making it the fastest-charging EV platform in the world
- Vehicles built on this platform can add 400 km (249 miles) of range in just 5 minutes, nearly matching the speed of refueling a gas car
- The Han L sedan and Tang L SUV, featuring up to 1,084 hp and 0-62 mph times as low as 2.7 seconds, will be the first models to use this technology, with pre-orders open in China
Vehicles built on BYD's Super e-Platform will be able to add 249 miles (400 km) of range in just 5 minutes, a rate of 1.2 miles per second. This leap forward in charging technology surpasses even the fastest-charging EVs on the market, which typically peak at 800 to 900 volts.
To support this new platform, BYD plans to install 4,000 ultra-high-power charging stations across China. However, these 1,000 kW chargers require extensive infrastructure upgrades and cannot simply be installed at existing public charging stations due to their high energy demands.
BYD has already announced two vehicles built on the Super e-Platform, the Han L sedan and Tang L SUV. These models will be the fastest-charging EVs in the world and boast class-leading performance.
The company's new high-performance motors can spin at over 30,000 rpm and generate outputs of up to 777 horsepower from a single motor. Single-motor rear-wheel drive vehicles built on BYD's new platform will deliver 671 hp, while dual-motor vehicles will use a smaller 308 hp motor to drive the front wheels for a combined output of 1,084 hp. Everything will be controlled through a new generation of silicon carbide power chips.
The Super e-Platform could eliminate one of the biggest drawbacks of EVs—long charging times—while offering some of the most powerful electric vehicles ever built. If you could charge an EV jut as fast as it takes to fill your tank with fuel, would you make the switch?
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An experienced automotive storyteller and accomplished photographer known for engaging and insightful content. Michael also brings a wealth of technical knowledge—he was part of the Ford GT program at Multimatic, oversaw a fleet of Audi TCR race cars, ziptied Lamborghini Super Trofeo cars back together, been over the wall during the Rolex 24, and worked in the intense world of IndyCar.
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Imagine what happens with 1000 volts cables are every street corner
I'd be ok with 10 minute charge time but only with a 350+ mile range