BYD's new battery: Another DeepSeek moment for China?

China’s leading electric vehicle (EV) maker BYD unveiled a new battery and charging system this week that is widely considered a technological breakthrough, as it promised to drastically cut charging time close to refueling the tank of a gasoline car.

The system can provide a 400-kilometer range with just five minutes of charging – the fastest charging speed for any production EV to date, the company claimed. BYD Chairman Wang Chuanfu proudly said at a launch event that the new battery will get rid of “recharge anxiety” for EV users, as it will take five to eight minutes for both EV or gasoline car owners to wait at a refuel station for similar range.

The news has drawn widespread attention around the globe, with well-known tech website Axios.com comparing it to another “DeepSeek moment.” It has been only a few months since Chinese company DeepSeek shook the world with its powerful AI model that is believed to be able to challenge established giants like OpenAI with a much smaller cost.

Neil Beveridge, a senior analyst at research firm Bernstein, told the Financial Times that BYD’s charging system is the fastest on the market and if this technology is widely adopted, it could eliminate range anxiety, one of the biggest barriers to EV adoption. How significant is BYD’s new charging technology? What did the international media and experts say about it? Here are some key points to share.

How does it compare to competitors?

Axios suggests that this development could mark a DeepSeek moment for the EV industry, as a Chinese company is breaking down adoption barriers with significantly more efficient technology.

Comparisons made by Reuters with Tesla highlight the leap, saying BYD’s 1,000 kW charging speed is twice as fast as Tesla’s Supercharger network, which currently maxes out at 500 kW.

According to The Guardian, Tesla is facing growing competition from more affordable EVs, particularly from BYD and other Chinese manufacturers.

Meanwhile, Chinese automakers such as Nio, Li Auto, Xpeng and Zeekr have been aggressively expanding their charging infrastructure and may soon introduce similar fast-charging innovations. Zeekr, a premium EV brand under Geely, launched an 800-volt platform last year, enabling its Zeekr 007 sedan to charge from 10 percent to 80 percent in about 10 minutes. Similarly, Li Auto and Xpeng offer technology that can deliver over 400 km of range with just a 10-minute charge.

How did BYD achieve this ?  

The challenge of ultra-fast charging lies in delivering high voltage and large current without overheating the battery. BYD says it overcame these hurdles with several innovations:  

– Reduced battery internal resistance, enabling faster charging without excessive heat buildup.  

– New-generation silicon carbide power chips to handle ultra-high voltages.  

– A 10C charging multiplier, meaning the battery can be charged at 10 times its capacity per hour. 

– Ultra-fast chargers supporting 1,000 kW of power, significantly higher than existing industry standards.  

Potential challenges and concerns

Despite its technological edge, some media reports say BYD’s new system still needs to deal with a few hurdles.

- Energy costs: Reuters said that widespread fast-charging adoption could strain power grids, requiring significant infrastructure upgrades. BYD plans to address this by integrating energy storage units with its fast chargers, though this may increase costs.

- Battery degradation: Frequent fast charging can accelerate battery wear, potentially reducing overall lifespan – an issue still being studied with high-voltage systems, according to The Guardian.

Is it likely to be adopted soon?

The first models featuring this technology, the Han L sedan and Tang L SUV, will start at 270,000 yuan ($37,330). To support the rollout, BYD plans to install 4,000 ultra-fast charging stations across China, mirroring Tesla’s Supercharger network.  

However, mass adoption could take time:  

- Premium brands may adopt it first, while budget EVs focus on lower battery costs rather than extreme charging speeds.  

- Home chargers remain sufficient for many EV owners, reducing the urgency for ultra-fast public charging.  

- Infrastructure needs to scale – not all regions have the grid capacity to support the fast charging.

  (Cover via VCG)