BYD, one of the world’s largest electric vehicle manufacturers, has announced a groundbreaking charging platform that could dramatically reduce charging times for EV owners. The new system, capable of peak charging speeds of 1,000 kilowatts (kW), promises to recharge an EV battery in just five minutes — comparable to the time it takes to refuel a gasoline-powered vehicle.
The announcement came during a live-streamed event from BYD’s Shenzhen headquarters, where company founder Wang Chuanfu detailed the technology's potential. “In order to completely solve our users’ charging anxiety, we have been pursuing a goal to make the charging time of electric vehicles as short as the refueling time of petrol vehicles,” Wang stated.
Twice as fast as Tesla’s superchargers
BYD's new charging platform boasts speeds twice as fast as Tesla’s latest superchargers, which offer up to 500 kW. This marks a significant leap forward in EV charging technology, addressing one of the biggest hurdles to widespread EV adoption — charging convenience. With a five-minute charge, BYD’s system can provide up to 400 km (249 miles) of driving range, potentially revolutionizing the EV ownership experience.
The new platform will debut in BYD’s Han L sedan and Tang L SUV, both priced from approximately $37,330. These models will be the first to benefit from the company's high-speed charging capabilities.
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Building a charging network to support expansion
To complement this new technology, BYD also announced plans to build a network of 4,000 ultra-fast charging stations across China. This marks the first time the automaker has committed to developing its own charging infrastructure, a move reminiscent of Tesla’s approach. Until now, BYD vehicle owners have primarily relied on third-party charging stations or those operated by competing automakers.
Despite the ambitious announcement, BYD has yet to disclose the timeline or investment required for rolling out its charging network. However, with China being the world’s largest EV market, the expansion of such infrastructure could solidify BYD’s dominance and set a new standard for charging convenience.
Market reactions and the competitive landscape
The announcement boosted BYD’s stock price by 4.1%, reaching a record high on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Investors see the new technology as a major competitive advantage, strengthening BYD’s position against rivals like Tesla, Nio, and Li Auto.
Meanwhile, Tesla is facing increased scrutiny amid declining sales and mounting investor concerns. The company’s stock has plummeted by 44% in 2025, exacerbated by CEO Elon Musk’s controversial political engagements and struggles to deliver long-promised autonomous vehicle technology. BYD’s new supercharging capabilities could further intensify the pressure on Tesla, which has been the global leader in EV fast-charging infrastructure since 2014.
Final thoughts
If BYD’s five-minute charging technology proves successful on a large scale, it could mark a turning point for electric vehicle adoption worldwide. By removing one of the biggest obstacles — lengthy charging times — EVs could become even more appealing to consumers, further accelerating the global shift away from gasoline-powered vehicles. Whether other automakers will follow suit remains to be seen, but for now, BYD is making a strong case for the future of ultra-fast EV charging.
