This week, BYD, a Chinese automobile manufacturer, garnered attention with the announcement that its new Han L sedan could extend its range by up to 248 miles in just five minutes. Despite the excitement, the company provided limited information and did not respond to TechCrunch’s request for further clarification. Consequently, additional research was conducted to understand how BYD has seemingly achieved a recharging speed comparable to refueling a gasoline-powered car.
The findings generally support BYD’s claims, with some exceptions. The Han L’s rapid charging capability is primarily attributed to its internal electrical infrastructure, particularly its battery. According to CarNewsChina, which referenced regulatory documents, the vehicle is equipped with an 83.2 kWh lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery operating at 945 volts. For promotional purposes, the company rounds this up to 1,000 volts.
The battery chemistry significantly contributes to the fast charging ability of the vehicle. LFP batteries are considered stable and safe, with a lower risk of catching fire compared to nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) batteries. Additionally, certain electrochemical properties in the cathode-anode design of an LFP cell enable faster charging. BYD has a longstanding experience with LFP technology, and its latest battery architecture, Blade 2.0, is anticipated to be used in the new model, offering engineers insights into optimizing both the battery and electrical systems.
The battery pack is supported by a high-voltage electrical system running at 945 volts. Automakers are increasingly adopting higher voltage systems to reduce heat generation, thereby allowing safe and efficient power delivery. Companies like Lucid use a 900-volt architecture, while Hyundai, Kia, and Porsche vehicles typically operate at 800 volts. Tesla’s vehicles have varying systems, with the Cybertruck running at 800 volts, and others around 400 volts depending on the model.
The Han L can charge at a rate of up to 1 megawatt, or 1,000 kilowatts, far exceeding the 350-kilowatt capability of the fastest widely available EV chargers in the United States. Nonetheless, charging 1 megawatt generates significant heat, necessitating exceptionally thick cables. Standard fast charging cables, like those on 350 kW chargers, are already bulky due to liquid cooling.
To enhance manageability, BYD has implemented a “dual gun” approach, equipping the vehicle with two charging ports, each capable of connecting to a 500 kW charger simultaneously, collectively delivering one megawatt.
BYD claims this allows the Han L to add 248 miles of range in five minutes. However, this figure is based on the CLTC, the Chinese equivalent to the EPA test cycle, which tends to be optimistic by about 35%, according to InsideEVs. In reality, drivers are likely to gain around 160 miles with a five-minute charge and approximately 280 miles with a full battery.
Charging from 16% to 80% takes approximately 10 minutes, and from 16% to 100% takes 24 minutes, reflecting substantial speed regardless of the calculation method.
The charging speed’s effectiveness relies heavily on charger availability. BYD has committed to installing over 4,000 new stations across China, each necessitating significant grid upgrades due to the potential strain a 1-megawatt power draw could impose on current infrastructure.
The BYD Han L’s arrival in the United States is uncertain, given the existing 100% tariff on Chinese-made EVs, which significantly inflates prices. Nevertheless, this does not indicate that similar rapid charging technologies will remain inaccessible in the U.S. Current cars already achieve 20% to 80% charging in 18 minutes, suggesting a likely reduction in charging times in the near future.
