BYD Showcases EV with ‘Megawatt’ Five Minute Charging Time
Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD has introduced a new charging system that it claims could enable EVs to charge as quickly as it takes to refuel a petrol car.
The Announcement
The breakthrough technology featured in two BYD models will be capable of receiving up to 1,000 kilowatts (kW) of peak charging power, allowing them to cover 249 miles with just a five-minute charge - exceeding the previous record held by Hyundai Ioniq 5, with its 17-minute charging time.
A 1,000 kW (1 megawatt) charging speed would be twice as fast as Tesla's superchargers, which provide up to 500 kW, with BYD announcing plans to build 4,000 of its own "flash-charging stations" across China to support the new fast-charging technology.
Although the company did not provide a timeline or investment details for the project - fast-charging has been recognised as a crucial step to boosting EV adoption across the world - and this development marks a step-change in EV tech, and convenience.
The BYD Han L Concept - featuring 5 minute charging time
BYD's founder, Wang Chuanfu, livestreamed the announcement from the company’s Shenzhen headquarters on Monday, saying that: “To completely eliminate our users' charging anxiety, we’ve been working toward a goal to make EV charging times as short as refueling petrol cars." He also noted that this is the first time the industry has seen charging power at the megawatt level.
The new charging system will first be available in BYD’s Han L sedan and Tang L SUV, with prices starting from approximately £28,780, although the cars will only be available in China to start.
The BYD Tang L Concept - featuring 5 minute charging time
In 2024, BYD was the world’s second-largest producer of battery electric vehicles, just behind Tesla. Wang founded the business as a battery manufacturer in 1995 before branching into car production in 2003.
This announcement highlights the growing competition Tesla faces, especially as its stock continues to drop, and Tesla comes under pressure from investors to deliver on its promises of autonomous vehicles. The company also faces increased competition from more affordable EV options, including those from BYD and other Chinese automakers.
Leasing a BYD EV through The Electric Car Scheme
BYD’s Han L sedan and Tang L SUV are not yet available, but once they launch in the UK, you will be able to salary sacrifice these cars through The Electric Car Scheme. In the meantime, you can use our quote tool to enter your salary and preferred lease terms to receive a personalised quote for your chosen EV!
Last updated: 21.03.25
