BYD has unveiled its latest electric-vehicle platform, the Super e-Platform, which it claims will revolutionise EV charging speeds and match the refuelling convenience of petrol and diesel vehicles. The new architecture introduces record-breaking charging capabilities, high-performance motors, and new battery technology. 

At the heart of the brand’s Super e-Platform is a completely overhauled electric powertrain, featuring an upgraded motor, electronic control system, and battery. The platform’s standout feature is its megawatt (1,000kW) charging capability, allowing it to add 1.2 miles of range per second. This results in an industry-first five-minute charge time for 250 miles of driving range—a figure that dramatically reduces EV charging downtime and could help eliminate one of the biggest remaining barriers to widespread EV adoption.

However, drivers outside China are unlikely to benefit from the technology thanks to the current limitations of charging hardware. In Europe, all new EVs and rapid chargers are now equipped with CCS (Combined Charging System) connectors and plugs. The current specification for CCS limits the maximum power to 500kW (1000 Volts x 500 Amps). At present, only a handful of cars equipped with 800 volt architecture can get close to that with theoretical maximums of 400kW. In practice, most manufacturers limit the maximum charge to much lower figures to ensure long-term battery health. The vast majority of electric cars use a 400 volt electrical system that can achieve a theoretical maximum speed of 200kW on a 500A charger.  

The first two models to be built on the new platform, the China-market HAN L and TANG L, will also deliver blistering performance, with a single-motor output of 778bhp and a top speed of more than 186mph. This has been made possible by a new motor design capable of spinning at 30,000rpm, setting yet another industry benchmark, according to BYD.

BYD’s new architecture integrates the world’s first mass-produced 1,000 volt automotive electrical system. At the core of this system is BYD’s new Flash Charging Battery, which features an ultra-fast ion channel and can handle 1,000A of current. 

Supporting these unprecedented charging speeds is a new silicon carbide (SiC) power chip capable of operating at 1,500V. This new component enhances efficiency while ensuring the platform remains robust under extreme power loads.

Megawatt charging needs megawatt chargers

To allow its new megawatt-capable cars to charge, BYD has also had to design a compatible charger. The new units, described as full liquid-cooled megawatt flash-charging terminal system are capable of delivering 1,360kW of power. To help the roll-out of the new tech, BYD has committed to deploying over 4,000 of these charging stations across China, helping to establish the necessary ecosystem for its new technology.

​However, BYD’s ambitions go beyond its own network. The company has developed an innovative “dual-gun charging” system, which allows existing public chargers to be instantly upgraded to support its ultra-fast charging rates. This “intelligent boost” technology ensures greater compatibility with current infrastructure, removing barriers to adoption and making high-speed charging more accessible. However, given the 500A limit of current CCS connectors, it will likely require the adoption of a new third-generation CCS before European drivers will be able to benefit.