Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD has unveiled a battery and charging system that it claims can recharge EVs at speeds comparable to refuelling a petrol car. The system, tested on BYD’s new Han L sedan, was able to provide 400km of range in just five minutes, according to chairman and founder Wang Chuanfu, speaking at an event on 17 March. The technology will be rolled out in April with the launch of BYD’s latest models.
A major obstacle to EV adoption has been lengthy charging times. The ability to recharge an electric car in the time it takes a petrol vehicle to refuel could sway hesitant drivers towards electric mobility. The new system is expected to underpin BYD’s future EV models, providing a significant competitive advantage as it challenges Tesla for global dominance in the sector.
BYD has surged ahead to rival Tesla as the world’s largest EV manufacturer. Meanwhile, Tesla’s China sales slumped by 49% in February, with just 30,688 vehicles shipped—the lowest monthly figure since July 2022.
To support its next-generation EVs, BYD has committed to building over 4,000 charging stations across China. While the company has not provided a timeline or cost estimate, it recently raised $5.6 billion through a share sale to fund expansion efforts.
BYD’s ultra-fast charging speeds significantly outpace Tesla’s Superchargers, which can add 275km of range in 15 minutes. Meanwhile, Mercedes-Benz’s new CLA electric sedan unveiled last week achieves 325km in 10 minutes.
Beyond charging speed, BYD’s new EV platform promises unparalleled acceleration, with its cars capable of reaching 100km/h in just two seconds, Wang Chuanfu announced at the Shenzhen event.
The first models to feature the ultra-fast charging system will be the Han L sedan and the Tang L SUV, priced at 270,000 yuan (£30,000) and 280,000 yuan (£31,000), respectively. Sales will commence in April.
“This is BYD elevating the game to another dimension,” said Lei Xing, an independent China auto analyst.
BYD has had a stellar start to 2025, selling over 318,000 passenger vehicles in February—a 161% increase from the previous year. It now holds nearly 15% market share in China, the world’s largest automotive market.
BYD’s Hong Kong-listed shares have surged by 45% in 2025, reflecting investor confidence in its technological advancements and market dominance.
Industry analysts believe BYD’s rapid technological advancements could further drive demand for its battery-electric vehicles.
“This could mark the beginning of a new wave of model roll-outs, propelling BYD’s BEV sales to catch up with hybrids after lagging in 2024,” said Joanna Chen, an auto analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence.
BYD is also expanding into advanced driver-assistance technology, incorporating features like lane-keeping and adaptive cruise control in some of its most affordable models.
Meanwhile, BYD’s Super e-Platform may pose a competitive challenge to Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL), the world’s largest EV battery producer. Li Auto, for example, is using CATL’s latest battery to enable 500km of range in 12 minutes of charging.
With ultra-fast charging technology, next-generation powertrains, and a rapidly growing market share, BYD is reinforcing its position at the forefront of the global EV revolution.
