Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
Chinese auto manufacturer BYD has uncovered two new electric vehicle models, the Han L and Tang, featuring high-performance specs and cutting-edge charging capabilities on Tuesday.
Both models can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in under three seconds, with base versions producing over 650 horsepower and top-tier dual-motor variants exceeding 1,050 horsepower.
However, the most significant development is the new Super E platform, a 1,000-volt architecture that allows for rapid DC fast charging. According to BYD, a compatible charger can add hundreds of kilometers of range in under five minutes. While this technology could revolutionize EV charging, it remains unattainable in markets like Israel, where charging infrastructure lags behind.
The state of ultra-fast charging
Many Chinese automakers have already adopted 800-volt platforms, enabling super-fast charging, as has Hyundai. However, these systems have yet to reach Israel due to lingering old stock and local charging infrastructure that may not support such high-power charging.
Fast charging depends on both the car's battery capacity (measured in kWh) and its optimal charging voltage. Some EVs accept up to 70 kW, while others can take 150 kW. However, real-world charging speeds fluctuate as the battery fills, meaning a vehicle rated for 170 kW may see a drop in charging power as it nears full capacity.
Get the Ynetnews app on your smartphone: Google Play: https://bit.ly/4eJ37pE | Apple App Store: https://bit.ly/3ZL7iNv
In practice, fast chargers are not designed to bring a battery from 0% to 100%. Instead, a charge from 40% to 70% can be enough to reach a destination, with higher voltages reducing charging time. Charging stations also vary in power output, ranging from 50 kW to 350 kW. In Israel, no public stations exceed 400 kW.
BYD’s next-gen charging technology
The new BYD models feature LFP batteries with a capacity of 83.2 kWh, a relatively standard specification. The breakthrough lies in the charging technology — BYD claims its batteries can charge 10 times faster than those of competitors, allowing vehicles to draw power from 1,000 kW chargers. For comparison, even Tesla’s Cybertruck maxes out at 350 kW.
If BYD’s claims hold true, this would enable its vehicles to gain one kilometer of range per second — meaning a five-minute charge could provide several hundred kilometers of driving range, rivaling gasoline-powered cars.
However, achieving these speeds requires 1,000 kW chargers, which currently exist only in BYD’s ecosystem. The company has announced plans to deploy 4,000 ultra-fast chargers across China, though it has not specified a timeline.
Other Chinese automakers are also expanding charging networks: NIO operates about 2,700 fast chargers in China. Li Auto (not sold in Israel) has 1,900 chargers. Zeekr plans to install 2,000 fast-charging stations by 2026.
A China-first innovation
While BYD’s charging technology is impressive, it is only relevant in China for now. In markets like Israel and the U.S., ultra-fast charging stations rarely exceed 400 kW, making 1,000 kW charging impractical.
Still, if BYD successfully rolls out its charging network, gasoline-powered cars could become obsolete in China, as EV drivers would no longer face range or charging concerns.