BYD Showcases EV with ‘Megawatt’ Five Minute Charging Time
Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD has introduced a new charging system that it claims could enable EVs to charge as quickly as it takes to refuel a petrol car.
Key Insights:
BYD's 1,000 kW charging system launched in April 2025 with the Han L sedan and Tang L SUV, featuring operational charging stations that can add 249 miles of range in just five minutes—twice as fast as Tesla's 500 kW Superchargers.
The first 500 megawatt charging stations became operational in early April 2025, equipped with energy storage systems to deliver consistent 1,000 kW power even where local grids cannot supply sufficient electricity.
The system uses dual DC charging plugs simultaneously to achieve 1,000 kW, with chargers capable of peak output up to 1,360 kW—though current vehicle battery management systems limit charging to 1,000 kW.
Live demonstrations showed vehicles charging from 7% to 50% in just 4.5 minutes, with the system reaching 1 MW within 10 seconds of connection.
The Announcement
The breakthrough technology featured in two BYD models will be capable of receiving up to 1,000 kilowatts (kW) of peak charging power, allowing them to cover 249 miles with just a five-minute charge - exceeding the previous record held by Hyundai Ioniq 5, with its 17-minute charging time.
A 1,000 kW (1 megawatt) charging speed would be twice as fast as Tesla's superchargers, which provide up to 500 kW, with BYD announcing plans to build 4,000 of its own "flash-charging stations" across China to support the new fast-charging technology.
The company rapidly delivered on this promise, with the first 500 charging stations operational by early April 2025, less than a month after the initial announcement. Fast-charging has been recognised as a crucial step to boosting EV adoption across the world - and this development marks a step-change in EV tech, and convenience.
The BYD Han L Concept - featuring 5 minute charging time
BYD's founder, Wang Chuanfu, livestreamed the announcement from the company’s Shenzhen headquarters on Monday, saying that: “To completely eliminate our users' charging anxiety, we’ve been working toward a goal to make EV charging times as short as refueling petrol cars." He also noted that this is the first time the industry has seen charging power at the megawatt level.
The Han L sedan and Tang L SUV officially launched in early April 2025 alongside the charging infrastructure, with prices starting from approximately £28,780. Both vehicles are currently available in China, with potential UK availability to be confirmed.
The BYD Tang L Concept - featuring 5 minute charging time
In 2024, BYD was the world’s second-largest producer of battery electric vehicles, just behind Tesla. Wang founded the business as a battery manufacturer in 1995 before branching into car production in 2003. This announcement reflects the evolving competitive landscape in the EV market.
Why Dual Plugs?
BYD's decision to use two charging plugs simultaneously addresses a fundamental challenge in ultra-fast charging: current limitations in existing charging connectors. A single plug cannot safely handle 1,000 amps, so BYD's system splits the load across two connectors. While this may seem less elegant than a single-plug solution, it enables immediate deployment using proven charging technology rather than waiting for new connector standards to be developed and adopted industry-wide.
Rapid Deployment: From Announcement to Reality
Infrastructure Rollout Complete
Following BYD's March 2025 announcement, the company moved with remarkable speed—deploying the first 500 megawatt charging stations by early April 2025, coinciding with the official launch of the Han L and Tang L vehicles. This rapid deployment demonstrates BYD's commitment to eliminating range anxiety through both vehicle technology and supporting infrastructure.
The charging stations feature integrated energy storage systems, enabling them to deliver consistent 1,000 kW charging power even in areas where the local electrical grid cannot supply sufficient electricity. This innovation addresses one of the key challenges in ultra-fast charging deployment: grid capacity limitations.
Technical Implementation Revealed
Live demonstrations of the technology have revealed important technical details about how BYD achieves such rapid charging speeds:
The system utilises two DC charging plugs simultaneously, as current charging connectors cannot safely handle 1,000 amps through a single plug
The charging stations can actually deliver peak output of 1,360 kW, though vehicle battery management systems currently limit charging to 1,000 kW for safety and battery longevity
Real-world testing showed the charging system reaching 1 MW within 10 seconds of connection
Vehicles charged from 7% to 50% battery capacity in just 4.5 minutes during demonstration events
Market Leadership
BYD's technology significantly surpasses current competitors in the ultra-fast charging space:
Tesla's V4 Supercharger: 500 kW
Xpeng's S5 charging system: 800 kW
BYD's megawatt charging: 1,000+ kW
This technological advantage positions BYD as the current leader in EV charging speed, potentially influencing consumer choice as charging convenience becomes an increasingly important factor in electric car adoption.
Leasing a BYD EV through The Electric Car Scheme
BYD’s Han L sedan and Tang L SUV are not yet available, but once they launch in the UK, you will be able to salary sacrifice these cars through The Electric Car Scheme. In the meantime, you can use our quote tool to enter your salary and preferred lease terms to receive a personalised quote for your chosen EV!
Last updated: 27/10/25
