BYD, on Tuesday at a launch event in Shenzhen, revealed the Super e-Platform, which the company claims can charge at rates of up to 1,000 kw—enough to add 400 kilometers of range, or nearly 250 miles, in five minutes of charging.
There aren't many charging stations that can deliver charging rates that high, but BYD plans to roll out some of its own. The company said it plans to build over 4,000 charging stations across China, delivering rates of 1,000 kw or more. BYD also said it has developed a liquid-cooled charger that can deliver a maximum rate of 1,360 kw.
The key to the high-speed charging is the Super e-Platform's 1,000-volt electrical architecture and silicon carbide power chip with a voltage rating of up to 1,500 volts. Fellow Chinese automaker Nio has come close with its 900-volt setup in the ET9, while Volkswagen Group is readying a high-performance EV platform with a 980-volt electrical architecture, though it isn't expected to be ready until late this decade. It is being developed by Porsche and will also be used by Audi, Bentley, and Lamborghini.