BYD to deploy first 500 MW chargers in April
The company plans to build a network of 4,000 one-megawatt (MW) charging stations in total, although no timeline has been given for their installation. They will be fitted with BYD’s Megawatt Flash Chargers, which can provide peak charging of up to 1,360kW.
According to Car News China, BYD’s Brand General Manager Li Yunfei said: “Some people still don’t believe it or have doubts. But BYD’s style has always been – mass production as soon as it is released. 500 units of 1,000 kW charging stations will be available in April.”
The chargers provide more than double the output of Tesla’s new 500 kW V4 Cabinet Supercharger, with a stated charge time of 5 minutes for 400 km of range. They also come fitted with energy storage systems to ensure delivery of the stated 1 MW charging power in areas where the local grid may not fully support it.
Despite the stated higher charging rates of 1,360 kW, the only vehicles that can currently take advantage of the chargers are the upcoming flagship EVs the Han L and the Tang L, which can handle up to 1,000 kW of power using two charging plugs simultaneously.
The Han L and Tang L are built on BYD’s new ‘Super e-Platform’, which uses redesigned blade batteries to support up to 1,000 volts and charging currents of up to 1,000 amps. This gives them a 10C charging rate – the highest of any currently mass-produced battery. In a live demonstration of the megawatt chargers, Car News China showed that both vehicles can reach the 1MW charging level in 10 seconds.
Additionally, the ‘Super e-Platform’ features a high-performance 580kW electric motor as well as next-generation silicon carbide power modules (1,500V). What this means in practice is that the motor can achieve up to 30,511 revs per minute – topping the performance of V12 ICE. BYD states that this means the Han L can reach 100 kph in 2.7 seconds with a top speed of 305 kph – while the Tang L can get there in 3.9 seconds with a top speed of 257 kph.
The two vehicles are set to be the new flagship BYD models and will officially launch in April. Presale prices start at 270,000 yuan (approx. €34,000).
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