BYD’s Megawatt EV charging – 400km range in just five minutes

Has electric vehicle (EV) charging technology finally reached the point where it rivals traditional refueling times? BYD certainly seems to think so. The Chinese automaker has unveiled a megawatt charging system that can deliver up to 1,000kW of power, slashing charging times to just five minutes for 250 miles (400 km) of range.

At the heart of this breakthrough is BYD’s Super e Platform, which leverages:

• Next-gen silicon carbide (SiC) power chips

• A high-speed motor spinning at 30,000rpm

• An upgraded three-core electrical system

This results in charging speeds that double the power output of Tesla’s latest Superchargers. However, before you get too excited, there’s a catch—not every EV can handle such insane speeds.

To take advantage of this technology, vehicles must be equipped with a 1,000V electrical architecture, complete with advanced batteries, motors, and thermal management systems. BYD has already upgraded its China-exclusive Han L and Tang L EVs to support this ultra-fast charging. These models feature a new battery design with 50% less internal resistance, allowing energy to flow more efficiently and reducing heat buildup.

By dramatically reducing internal resistance and doubling power delivery, BYD’s Super e Power system achieves near-instant recharging—a feat previously thought impossible. However, drawing such a massive amount of energy from the power grid raises concerns about infrastructure readiness. After all, pulling a full megawatt of power is like turning on millions of kettles at once—a challenge that will need to be addressed.

BYD’s chairman, Chuanfu Wang, summed up the company’s ambition:

“Our goal is to make EV charging as fast as refueling an ICE vehicle.”

With megawatt-level charging and kilovolt-powered cars on the horizon, the EV industry could be on the cusp of a revolution in charging speeds. But is the grid ready for it? And will more automakers follow suit? What do you think—are we finally at the tipping point for EV charging?