BYD has unveiled a 1000-volt "Super E-Platform" that can charge 400 kilometres in 5 minutes

China's BYD has unveiled the "Super e-Platform", which has a 1000-volt architecture and supports charging up to 1MW. In fact, this triples the existing industry standard, as most fast chargers for passenger cars can only reach around 200-350kW. This means that under optimal conditions, BYD electric cars will be able to get an additional 400 kilometres of mileage in just 5 minutes.

Here's What We Know

The BYD Super e-Platform includes a new "instant charging" battery (Flash Charge). The company has not yet disclosed its capacity and weight, but claims to have achieved a 10C charging ratio, allowing it to theoretically fully charge in just six minutes. The system supports charging with a voltage of 1,000 volts and a current of 1,000 amperes, providing 1MW (megawatt) of power.

BYD Super e-Platform specifications. Illustration: BYD / Weibo

In tests, the new system maintained 600kW of charging power even when the battery reached 90 per cent charge, a major breakthrough for the industry. BYD has developed a new 1000-kilowatt charging station to handle it. In comparison, the latest Tesla Supercharger V4 has a peak power output of 500kW.

To promote the adoption of its battery technology, BYD plans to build more than 4,000 next-generation fast charging stations across China.

Source: Autocar