BYD Shares Hit Record High After Unveiling Ultra-Fast Charging Technology

Chinese electric vehicle (EV) giant BYD saw its shares surge to an all-time high on Tuesday after unveiling groundbreaking battery technology that could revolutionize EV charging. The company introduced its Super e-Platform, a cutting-edge battery and charging system capable of charging an EV in the same time it takes to refuel a petrol car.

Super e-Platform: A Game-Changer in EV Charging

At the launch event on Monday evening, BYD’s founder Wang Chuanfu emphasized the company’s goal of eliminating “charging anxiety” among EV users. The Super e-Platform boasts peak charging speeds of 1,000 kW, allowing a vehicle to travel 470 kilometers (292 miles) after just five minutes of charging.

“Our pursuit is to make the charging time of electric vehicles as short as the refueling time of fuel vehicles,” Wang said, positioning BYD ahead of rivals in the fast-evolving EV sector.

BYD Shares Surge, Outpacing Tesla

Following the announcement, BYD’s Hong Kong-listed shares jumped more than six percent, reaching a record high before trimming some of the gains. The breakthrough in charging speeds puts BYD ahead of Tesla, whose Superchargers currently max out at 500 kW—only half the capacity of BYD’s latest system.

The company also launched two new EV models that will feature this advanced charging technology—the Han L sedan and the Tang L SUV—both of which are expected to set new standards in the industry.

Massive Expansion of Charging Infrastructure

To support its new technology, BYD announced plans to build over 4,000 ultra-fast charging stations across China. This ambitious expansion is expected to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles and further solidify BYD’s dominance in the market.

BYD’s Sales Boom, Tesla’s Slump

BYD’s aggressive growth strategy is paying off. In February, the company’s sales soared 161%, with more than 318,000 EVs sold. Meanwhile, Tesla faced a staggering 49% decline in Chinese sales, underscoring BYD’s rising influence in the world’s largest EV market.

Nio and CATL Bet on Battery Swapping

In a separate development, Chinese EV maker Nio announced a strategic partnership with battery giant CATL to expand its battery swap network—an alternative to ultra-fast charging. CATL will invest up to 2.5 billion yuan ($346 million) to enhance the infrastructure for battery swapping, a concept that allows drivers to replace depleted batteries with fully charged ones in minutes.

However, battery swapping faces significant challenges, including high infrastructure costs and the need for standardization across manufacturers. Despite this, Nio and CATL’s collaboration signals a push for diverse charging solutions in the evolving EV landscape.

The Future of EV Charging

BYD’s latest innovation marks a major leap forward in EV technology, potentially reshaping the industry’s approach to charging infrastructure. As competition intensifies, the coming months will reveal whether ultra-fast charging or battery swapping becomes the dominant solution for EV users worldwide.