The Chinese automaker introduces a revolutionary system that charges vehicles to 400km in just five minutes.

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD has introduced a groundbreaking new battery technology, enabling electric cars to charge as quickly as refuelling a petrol tank. The innovative ‘Super E-Platform’ can achieve a rapid 1,000 kW charging speed, which is four times faster than Tesla’s Superchargers, which operate at 250 kW.

This new system allows vehicles to gain up to 400 km (249 miles) of range in just five minutes of charging. During a live broadcast from its Shenzhen headquarters, BYD announced that this advancement would eliminate “range anxiety” for users, particularly when travelling longer distances.

The first vehicles to feature the Super E-Platform will be BYD’s Han L and Tang L models, which will initially be available exclusively in China.

In recent years, electric vehicle sales have soared in China, with BYD leading the market, holding approximately one-third of the country’s EV sales. The company surpassed Tesla in 2024, becoming the world’s largest manufacturer of electric cars, despite its limited presence in Europe and no current sales in the United States.

Global sales of electric vehicles have significantly increased, with electric cars accounting for 18% of all new car sales in 2023, according to the International Energy Agency. In contrast, sales of combustion engine vehicles have dropped substantially by a quarter from 2018 to 2023, indicating that the peak of fossil fuel-powered car sales may have passed.

While BYD’s fast-charging technology is set to fuel further growth in the EV sector, the new system will require special charging stations to optimise charging times. Wang Chuanfu, the company’s founder, indicated that the price of the Han L and Tang L models would likely start at around $40,000.