BYD's Megawatt Charging: Full Charge in the Time It Takes to Refuel

Chongqing - Imagine charging a huge battery the way you might fill a water tank. Regular chargers are like using a garden hose—they take time. BYD's megawatt charger is like turning on a fire hose—it delivers a massive flow of energy in a short burst.

“For gasoline vehicles, refueling takes 5–8 minutes for roughly 500 kilometers of range; now, with megawatt charging, you can achieve the same range in 5–8 minutes—charging speed now matches refueling time,” said Wang Chuanfu, Chairman and President of BYD at the Super e-Platform launch event on March 17.

On March 17, Wang Chuanfu, Chairman and President of BYD, introduced megawatt charging at the Super e-Platform launch event. (Photo/BYD)

Charging anxiety—stemming from long charging times and inconvenient access—has long plagued EV users. Wang explained that shortening charging time to rival refueling is key to easing this concern, which requires achieving both high voltage and large current to deliver fast charging power.

The newly launched Super e-Platform features a cutting-edge 1000V high-voltage system that connects the battery, motor, power supply, and air conditioning into one efficient unit. This design enhances energy transmission for faster performance. Additionally, its advanced high-speed ion channel cuts battery resistance by 50% and boosts the charging current to 1000A, enabling quicker and more efficient charging.

Thanks to its capability to handle 1000V and 1000A, the Super e-Platform can deliver up to 1 megawatt of charging power, significantly speeding up the charging process. In a demonstration video featuring the Han L model with this platform, the peak charging speed reached 2 kilometers per second — adding roughly 400 kilometers of range in just 5 minutes.

Wang stated that to enhance charging convenience and support its fast-charging technology, BYD has developed 1-megawatt charging piles and plans to install over 4,000 of these high-power stations across the country. Additionally, BYD aims to share its megawatt charging technology with the industry to improve overall charging efficiency.

In addition to expanding its charging infrastructure, BYD is maximizing the use of existing charging resources by employing its dual-gun charging technology. This technology doubles the charging power using the vehicle’s existing power control system, allowing, for example, a 250-kW public charging pile to deliver up to 500 kW.

The Han L model equipped with the Super e-Platform can add approximately 400 kilometers of range in just 5 minutes of charging. (Photo/BYD)

Wang mentioned that the Super e-Platform will debut in the Han L EV and Tang L EV models. The Han L EV is priced between 270,000 yuan (about 37,344 USD) and 350,000 yuan, while the Tang L EV ranges from 280,000 yuan to 360,000 yuan.