A 5-Minute Charge for This EV Battery Gives You 250 Miles of Range, China's BYD Says

Chinese auto manufacturer BYD has announced a new technology that can significantly reduce electric vehicle (EV) battery charging times to just 5 minutes. According to BYD, this rapid charging method can provide nearly 250 miles of driving range at a staggering charging rate of 1,000 kilowatts.

The announcement was made during a livestream by BYD's CEO Wang Chuanfu on Monday, leading to an increase in the company's stock prices. The charging technology that BYD is promoting is set to allow drivers to recharge their EVs at twice the speed of Tesla's Supercharger stations.

BYD intends to roll out this innovative charging infrastructure in China, and the first vehicles equipped with these fast-charging batteries will be two new models—a sedan and an SUV. However, the company has not specified when this infrastructure will be established or when the new vehicles will be available for purchase.

Reducing Range Anxiety

If BYD's claims prove to be true, this technology could effectively address one of the main obstacles faced by potential EV buyers in the U.S.—range anxiety. Most EVs currently have an average range of about 200 to 300 miles per charge, making long trips heavily reliant on the availability of charging stations. Recent uncertainties surrounding the future expansion of charging networks, including Tesla's Supercharger stations, have only heightened this concern.

Chinese EV companies, including BYD, are rapidly expanding and aiming to gain traction in markets traditionally dominated by Tesla. Beyond just charging speed, the new technology aims to make the process of recharging an EV as quick and convenient as refueling a gasoline car, potentially leading to faster turnover at existing charging stations and reduced wait times for EV owners.

According to Ryan Rohrman, the CEO of Rohrman Automotive Group, the implications of BYD's announcement could have a significant impact on the EV industry. "If BYD's announcement is accurate, it could significantly boost the adoption of EVs," Rohrman stated. He added that while eliminating range anxiety is crucial, the next challenge will be ensuring sufficient charging stations are available to support widespread use of these vehicles.

EV, BYD, charging