The electric vehicle game just got real. Chinese automaker BYD, often called Tesla’s biggest rival, is shaking things up with the release of two new EVs that can charge in just five minutes. Yes, five.
The new Han L sedan and Tang L SUV are the first vehicles to feature BYD’s recently announced Super E-Platform, a cutting-edge system designed to crush long charging times, one of the biggest complaints among EV owners. According to BYD, a quick five-minute pit stop at a high-powered charging station will get drivers up to 400 kilometers (about 249 miles) of range. That’s nearly a full tank of driving power in less time than it takes to grab coffee.
For comparison, Tesla’s fastest Superchargers top out at 250kW, while BYD’s Super E-Platform pushes a jaw-dropping 1,000kW charging speed; four times faster.
Even better? The price.
The base model Han L sedan starts around $30,100, more than $10,000 cheaper than the least expensive Tesla Model 3. The Tang L SUV begins roughly $32,700, making both models a very attractive option for budget-conscious EV buyers.
When BYD first unveiled its supercharged platform last month, the company made it clear: it wants to eliminate what it called “range anxiety.” That’s the fear many drivers have about running out of battery power before they can find a charger. With this kind of charging speed, BYD says it’s creating a future where refueling an EV is just as quick, and convenient, as filling up a gas tank.
One thing’s for sure: Elon Musk is praying the BYD car doesn’t make it to the USA.
