“Range anxiety” has been a common worry for electric vehicle owners. Many people also fret about how long it takes to charge their cars. BYD, a major player, announced a super-fast charger that promised to ease these concerns. Naturally, many tech watchers and car enthusiasts were skeptical.
Now, a video test provides solid proof. A standard BYD vehicle gained more than 400 kilometers of range in a mere five minutes. This new 1-megawatt charging system is the fastest in the world. It is already rolling out in China and will soon arrive in Europe. International media outlets are getting their first look, confirming its impressive speed.
During a charging session documented by EV.com, the system reached peak power over 1000 kilowatts. These figures were once just theoretical. Many thought such rapid speeds were simply not achievable. Yet, BYD appears to have delivered on its promise. They recharged a vehicle to gain over 400 km of range in just five minutes.
The automotive media group used a Tang L EV for their test. This electric SUV comes with a 100-kilowatt-hour LFP battery. It is built on BYD’s new Super E platform. This design allows for incredibly fast charging. Crucially, it does this without needing extra liquid cooling or experimental solutions.
The tests took place in real-world conditions. Ambient temperatures were nearly 40 degrees Celsius. Even in this heat, the system maintained strong charging power. It held around 1000 kW of power while the battery charged from 6% to 25%. During that stretch, the car added 2 kilometers of range every second. The battery reached 70% charge in only six minutes. As often happens, the power then slowly decreased. It stabilized between 600 and 850 kW. Even these slower speeds far outpace most chargers available today.
BYD’s Two-Port Power Play
This charging system offers more than just incredible speed. It features two fast-charging ports. This means a car can connect to two chargers simultaneously. In theory, this could double the charging power even further.
BYD assures users that its batteries remain healthy. This is true even with the aggressive charging and discharging. A smart thermal system prevents them from wearing out too soon. This means the battery keeps the same warranty as other BYD models.
This cutting-edge technology is now launching in China. BYD plans to set up 500 stations in this first phase. Currently, only a handful of car models can fully use these powerful chargers. Still, seeing this technology in action truly sparks hope. Ultra-fast charging makes electric mobility far more appealing. Slow charging has always been one of the biggest hurdles for electric vehicles.
Stella Li, BYD’s Vice President, shares a clear vision. She believes the true key to electric vehicle success is not how far they can drive. Instead, it is how quickly you can recharge them.