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BYD Co., a Chinese automaker, is making waves in the electric vehicle (EV) industry with its announcement of a new electric-vehicle platform that promises to revolutionize charging times. The company claims that this new platform, dubbed the Super e-Platform, will allow drivers to charge their EVs in roughly the same amount of time it takes to refuel a gasoline car. This ambitious goal, if achieved, could significantly accelerate the adoption of EVs by addressing one of the major concerns holding back widespread acceptance: charging anxiety. The claim is bold, positioning BYD to compete more aggressively with legacy automakers and direct rivals like Tesla. The announcement centers around the Super e-Platform, which features flash-charging batteries, a high-speed 30,000 RPM motor, and new silicon carbide power chips. According to BYD, this combination allows for a charging power of one megawatt and a peak charging speed of two kilometers per second. The company asserts that this makes it the fastest system of its kind for mass-produced vehicles, enabling a 400-kilometer range to be added in just five minutes of charging. This claim, if verified, represents a significant leap forward in charging technology, potentially eliminating the long wait times currently associated with EV charging. The company also emphasizes its "all liquid-cooled megawatt flash charging terminal system" as a crucial component. Furthermore, to match the ultra-high power charging, BYD says it developed a next-generation automotive-grade silicon carbide power chip. The chip boasts a voltage rating of up to 1500V, purportedly the highest in the car industry to date. Along with this, BYD also launched its flash-charging battery. From positive to negative electrode, the cell contains ultra-fast ion channels, reducing the battery’s internal resistance by 50%, according to BYD. Finally, there is a mass-produced 30,000 RPM motor that significantly boosts a vehicle’s speed and reduces the motor’s weight and size, enhancing power density. The speed and capacity of the charging system are key elements of the development. The company specifically cites its liquid-cooled megawatt flash charging terminal system to explain the speed. In addition to this, the company claims the self-developed, next-generation automotive-grade silicon carbide power chip allows a voltage rating up to 1500V, the highest to date in the car industry.
While BYD's claims are impressive, it's important to compare them to existing charging technologies and the efforts of other automakers. Tesla's Superchargers, for example, can currently provide 275 kilometers of range in 15 minutes, according to Tesla’s website. Mercedes-Benz’s new entry-level CLA sedan EV, can achieve 325 kilometers in 10 minutes. While BYD is claiming faster rates, Tesla and Mercedes-Benz are demonstrating high charging speeds in existing vehicles. BYD also faces competition from other Chinese automakers. Li Auto Inc., for example, uses a battery from Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd. (CATL) in one of its vehicles that offers 500 kilometers of range from a 12-minute charge. This highlights the intense competition and innovation occurring within the Chinese EV market. BYD cites its innovative technology as the factor differentiating it from the competition. BYD also asserts that the capabilities of the Han L, one of the EVs using the new Super e-Platform, is now comparable to a Formula E racing car. Safety and reliability are key considerations with super-fast charging technologies. As Tsinghua University professor Ouyang Minggao notes, super-fast charging can impact the safety and lifespan of a battery. Older batteries may not be suitable for such rapid charging, and large charging currents can lead to severe overheating. Furthermore, the upgrade of an EV from a 400-volt to an 800-volt architecture may cost around 4,000 yuan ($550) per vehicle, according to Guotai Junan Securities Co. BYD’s new platform goes up to 1,000 volts, powering the battery, motor, air conditioning, and other components, increasing the cost. Grid capacity is another potential issue. The existing electricity grids may not be able to handle the load from such high-intensity charging, requiring specialized energy-storage units at charging stations to manage the power demand. Some EV makers, such as Xpeng Inc., are already utilizing such units at their charging stations. The impact on the grid will be a major factor in the expansion of fast-charging EV stations.
The rollout and availability of BYD's new charging system are currently limited to China. The first models to feature the Super e-Platform will be the Han L and Tang L, which have officially started pre-sales and are scheduled to launch in April. BYD Chairman Wang Chuanfu acknowledges that "charging anxiety" remains a major concern for potential EV buyers. This anxiety stems from concerns about long charging times and the availability and reliability of charging infrastructure. BYD’s ultra-fast charging technology is intended to address these concerns and make EVs more appealing to a wider range of consumers. The development of ultra-fast charging infrastructure raises questions about the value of battery swapping, especially for carmakers with closed ecosystems like Nio Inc. Battery swapping involves physically replacing a depleted battery with a fully charged one, offering a potentially faster alternative to charging. Nio has already built out over 3,200 swapping stations globally, primarily in China. The company claims that solid-state batteries would be safer than traditional lithium-ion batteries, because they use a solid electrolyte instead of liquid or gel. There’s a lower risk of dendrite formation – needle-like lithium metal structures that can form over time and pierce the separator between electrodes, causing short circuits. Solid-state batteries operate more safely at higher temperatures, reducing the risk of overheating, and there’s less risk of leakage, limiting the risk of hazardous chemical exposure. However, solid-state batteries are much costlier to manufacture, leading to issues with scalability and mass production, and several prototypes still experience cracking and degradation due to repeated charging cycles. Solid-state cells also have limited performance at low temperatures, making them problematic in colder areas during winter. The Han L starts from 270,000 yuan, while the Tang L sport utility vehicle starts from 280,000 yuan. Both also boast the company’s latest God’s Eye smart-driving features. These technological achievements come with a higher price tag.
Source: How BYD’s five-minute charges compare with competitors