The long wait at a charging station could be over, according to BYD.
The Chinese automotive giant has unveiled its latest electric vehicle (EV) platform, which it says will make EVs as quick and easy to recharge as a combustion-powered vehicle is to refuel.
The new Super E-Platform features a 1000-volt architecture, up from the 800-volt underpinnings of some current BYD models, with cars based on the new technology able to take a DC charging rate of up to 1000kW, or 1MW.
For context, some 800-volt based EVs such as the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Porsche Taycan can charge at up to 350kW (provided supporting chargers are available), while the Australian-market BYD Seal – still running on a 400-volt platform – can only be charged at up to 150kW.
Of course, there aren’t any EV chargers currently available which can provide the 1000kW charge rate, but BYD is planning to roll out more than 4000 ultra-fast charging units in China to complement its Super E-Platform models.
Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now.
According to BYD CEO Wang Chuanfu, a five-minute charge at 1000kW can provide an extra 400km of range, or more than one kilometre per second on charge.
This is the closest EV technology we’ve seen yet to matching petrol and diesel vehicle filling times, though the relative scarcity of the 1000kW chargers and related cars means it’ll be a while before this is a feature commonly available on the mass market.
BYD claims tests on the new Han L electric sedan showed five minutes on the 1MW charger gave it an additional 470km of range.
-
BYD Han L
In addition to the Han L sedan, the Super E-Platform will also make its debut in the Tang L SUV, and orders for both EVs have now opened in China.
The Han L starts from 270,000 Yuan ($58,465) with a 500kW rear electric motor and an 83.2kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery, while an all-wheel drive version with 810kW and a 0-100km/h sprint time of 2.7 seconds can be ordered for 350,000 Yuan ($75,780).
BYD’s entry-level Han L is only slightly more expensive than the range-topping Seal, which is priced from 239,800 Yuan ($51,925) in Chinese showrooms.
-
BYD Tang L
Meanwhile, the seven-seat Tang L SUV features the same motors as the Han L, but is fed by a larger 100.5kWh battery. Prices start from 280,000 Yuan ($60,630) and get as dear as 360,000 Yuan ($77,950).
Unfortunately it may be a while before we see any of BYD’s Super E-Platform EVs in Australia, or chargers capable of supporting the 1MW charge rate.
According to PlugShare, there are fewer than 40 charging stations in Australia capable of providing up to 350kW.
