BYD’s battery system announcement kicks off the week with a jolt

Most drivers hesitant about switching to electric vehicles (EVs) are concerned about one major factor: charging. The availability of chargers, the range of the vehicles themselves, and the length of time it takes to charge them are all legitimate concerns. Major strides are being made to address them, as companies and governmental organizations around the world race to expand charging infrastructure and manufacturers – seemingly on a daily basis – boast about new battery technology with range to leave all others in the dust.

Chinese EV manufacturer BYD, however, takes the prize for charging-related announcement of the month, or perhaps of the year. As reported by Reuters, the company unveiled what it is calling a super e-platform that will allow EVs to charge in no more time than it takes to pump gas. At an event livestreamed from company headquarters, founder Wang Chuanfu claimed the platform will be capable of peak charging speeds of 1,000kW, allowing EVs to travel 400km (249 miles) after charging for a mere five minutes. This is twice the speed of Tesla superchargers, which currently offer peak charging speeds of 500kW.

The super e-platform will initially be available in two new EVs, the Han L sedan and the Tang L SUV, both slated to hit the market in April. In addition, BYD says it will build more than 4,000 charging units across China to accommodate the platform, though no time frame has been given for building the network.