• EXPLORE FURTHER: Electric vehicle brakes generate pollutants that are even more harmful than those from diesel engines.

Although electric vehicles may attract environmentally aware drivers, the concern over battery depletion before reaching one’s destination deters numerous potential buyers.

However, the Chinese EV manufacturer BYD asserts that their newest models will put an end to 'range anxiety'.

BYD claims that its latest charging system, known as the 'Super-E Platform,' can allow a vehicle to cover up to 250 miles (400 kilometers) with only five minutes of charging time.

This 1,000-kilowatt (kW) charger – double the power of its competitor Tesla Supercharger – able to replenish an electric vehicle’s battery in the same duration it takes to refuel a conventional car. petrol car with fuel.

Last year, BYD was the globe's second biggest producer of battery-operated electric cars just slightly behind Elon Musk's Tesla.

This recent advancement might propel the Chinese firm to the leading spot by attracting purchasers who are hesitant to abandon their traditional gasoline vehicles.

The BYD founder, Wang Chuanfu—who is frequently referred to as China 's Elon Musk , stated during a launch event in Shenzhen, China, that the brand's upcoming vehicles would reach 'fuel-parity' when it comes to refueling.

Mr Wang added: '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 refuelling time of petrol vehicles.'

BYD states that the new ultra-rapid charging tech will first be featured in two recently unveiled models: the Han L sedan and the Tang L SUV, both introduced this year.

Both the Han L sedan and the Tang L SUV start slightly cheaper than the typical cost of an electric vehicle in the United Kingdom , with prices ranging from 270,000 to 350,000 yuan ($37,300-$48,350 or £28,700-£37,300).

The company claims these cars' new battery architecture will allow drivers to add up to 1.20mile (2km) of range for every second of charging at peak rates.

Officially rated at '10C', this indicates that the vehicles can achieve a full charge in one-tenth of an hour, which equates to six minutes.

Rapid charging necessitates the transfer of substantial electrical power, implying the generation of both a significantly high voltage and a considerable amount of current concurrently.

The biggest barrier to increasing charging power is that big currents create a lot of heat which can be dangerous when it builds up in a large battery.

To address this issue, BYD claims it has succeeded in decreasing the internal resistance of the battery, which means that less heat is generated within the battery as current flows through it.

Moreover, the firm claims it has developed new silicon carbide power chips capable of withstanding increased voltage levels.

In a post on the Chinese social media platform Weibo, translated via Google Translate, the company says: ‘BYD officially releases flash charging battery with ultra-high voltage of 1000V, ultra-large current of 1000A and ultra-large power of 1000kW.'

At the launch event, Mr. Wang stated, "For the first time in our sector, we have reached the milestone of megawatts in terms of charging power."

This power level increases the capacity of most charging systems found in the UK and the US by two or three times.

Tesla's most recent batch of Superchargers can achieve up to 500 kW, whereas the majority of the older models do not have this capability. peak at somewhere from 250 to 400 kW.

A majority of Tesla's Superchargers in the United Kingdom can supply sufficient power for drivers to travel up to 172 miles (277 kilometers) following just 15 minutes of charging.

BYD states its intention to set up a network comprising 4,000 quick-charging stations throughout China.

Stronger charging stations need direct connection to the power grid along with specialized cooling systems to avoid overheating.

This implies that the new flash-charging system might necessitate building further infrastructure, such as constructing extra substations and transformers.

Nonetheless, BYD has not offered any details regarding the timeline for building these stations or how they intend to fund their construction.

Similarly, BYD states that the technology will first be accessible solely within China, and they have yet to confirm if they intend to deploy flash chargers in other locations.

Many industry experts view quicker charging times and improved driving ranges as crucial factors for transitioning away from vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines, which release contaminants.

According to a 2024 survey conducted by the management consultancy firm McKinsey & Company, 40 percent of potential electric vehicle (EV) purchasers aimed for a driving range exceeding 400 miles on a single battery charge—approximately equivalent to the typical distance a gasoline-powered car can cover with one full tank.

Similarly, 42 percent of participants indicated that charging speed is their primary concern.

Out of these individuals, 60 percent expressed their preference for charging times of 30 minutes or shorter.

BYD's advancement has been met with approval from global markets and could potentially assist them in surpassing their competitor Tesla over an extended period.

Following the announcement, BYD's shares surged to an all-time peak, rising by 4.1 percent on Tuesday to reach a value of HK$408.80 ($52.59) on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

Meanwhile, On Tuesday, Tesla's stock value fell by 5.5 percent. , adding another 4.8 percent drop from Monday.

Overall, Tesla's value has dropped by 44 percent throughout 2025 due to investor concerns about CEO Elon Musk's prominent association with Donald Trump.

Since Trump's election, The automotive company has experienced over $800 billion (£617bn) erased from its stock market value.

Read more