Chinese EV Maker BYD Launches EV Charging System
Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD has introduced an innovative charging system that aims to revolutionize the EV charging experience, potentially allowing vehicles to charge as quickly as it takes to fill up a petrol tank. Additionally, the company announced its plans to develop a comprehensive charging network throughout China.
The newly unveiled “super e-platform” boasts peak charging speeds of 1,000 kilowatts (kW), which means cars utilizing this technology could travel 400 kilometers (249 miles) after just a five-minute charge. This exciting development was presented by founder Wang Chuanfu during a live-streamed event from BYD’s headquarters in Shenzhen on Monday.
On the same day, BYD’s announcement seemed to impact Tesla, causing the U.S. electric vehicle maker’s stock price to drop by 4.8%. In conjunction with this news, BYD also initiated pre-sales of its upgraded Han L and Tang L models.
Based on the launch, BYD Founder Wang Chuanfu emphasized the need for ultra-high voltage and large current to maximize charging speed.
“To completely solve users’ anxiety overcharging, our pursuit is to make the charging time for EVs as short as the refueling time for fuel vehicles,” Wang said. In fact, this is the first time in the industry that the unit of megawatt (charge) has been achieved on charging power,” he added.
However, the company did not disclose details regarding the timeline or the investment needed for establishing the charging facilities. Until now, BYD vehicle owners have primarily depended on charging stations provided by other automakers or public charging points operated by third-party companies.
