Electric vehicle (EV) charging has long been a major concern for potential buyers, with many hesitant to switch due to the lengthy time required to fill up. However, Chinese company BYD is leading the charge in addressing this issue with its new high-power chargers that can replenish batteries at an astonishing five minutes.
BYD’s latest EV chargers boast twice the power of Tesla’s latest supercharger and can handle 1,000 volts of electricity. This allows drivers to add 249 miles of range to their vehicles in a fraction of the time it takes with traditional charging methods. The company plans to deploy 4,000 of these new chargers across China, providing an unprecedented level of infrastructure for EV owners.
According to experts, China’s strong industrial policy support and innovative companies like BYD have enabled rapid advancements in EV battery technology. In contrast, the US is lagging behind due to restrictive policies, such as Trump’s anti-EV stance. Volkswagen and BMW, known for their slow innovation pace, claim it will take five years or more to integrate new charging platforms into their systems.
Meanwhile, researchers argue that China’s streamlined process of installing chargers, facilitated by a single state-owned power company, has enabled faster deployment of high-powered chargers. This could have unintended consequences on the electric grid if not managed correctly. However, experts suggest that with careful planning and management, fast charging can become an integral part of the EV ecosystem.
With China’s EV sector leading the charge, it is likely that the country will develop innovative solutions to manage the demands placed on its grid. As BYD continues to push the boundaries of EV technology, it remains to be seen how this will impact the US and other countries struggling to keep up with the pace of innovation in the industry.
Source: https://www.fastcompany.com/91303128/chinas-new-evs-can-charge-in-5-minutes