Man tries out BYD's new 1,000kW Megawatt EV charger to see if it's faster than filling up with gas
Published on Aug 05, 2025 at 10:08 AM (UTC+4)
by Callum Tokody
Last updated on Aug 05, 2025 at 3:31 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Kate Bain
A new BYD EV charger has set a new benchmark for fast charging.
In a live demonstration, the charger added 400 km of range in just five minutes, faster than any public charger currently available.
BYD already has 500 of these chargers operating in China and plans to expand that number significantly.
The technology works, but whether it fits into daily EV use is the next big question.
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BYD’s EV charger hits 1,000kW in live test
At a BYD facility in Shanghai, the company connected its megawatt EV charger to a Tang EV fitted with a 100kWh Super E battery.
The charger instantly reached 999kW and briefly exceeded the 1,000kW mark.
In that initial phase, the EV charger was adding roughly 2 km of range every second.
The BYD charger maintained this peak output until the battery hit 25 percent charge, after which the speed started to taper.
Even at 35 percent capacity, it was still delivering between 600kW and 700kW, which remains well above current public charging standards.
In total, the EV charger added about 500 km of range in six minutes, taking the vehicle from six percent to 70 percent charge.
BYD has rolled out 500 of these chargers across China and is targeting 3,000 units as part of its infrastructure expansion.
The company’s aim is to address range anxiety by offering EV fast charging solutions that match or exceed petrol station convenience.
The Super E battery platform also enhances performance, with models like the Han L capable of accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in 2.7 seconds.
Despite these aggressive charging and performance figures, BYD states that the battery lifespan is unaffected, matching the warranty of its Blade battery lineup.
To increase flexibility, new BYD vehicles feature dual charging ports, allowing them to connect to two chargers simultaneously if megawatt charging is not available.
What this means for EV charging in the real world
The BYD charger shows what is possible, but it also highlights a gap.
Most electric vehicles on the road today cannot accept charging speeds of 1,000kW, which means the BYD charger is ahead of what current EVs can utilize.
The expansion of such technology also brings practical challenges.
Grid capacity, installation costs, and charging fees will all play a role in determining how widespread these EV fast charging stations can become.
For consumers, the idea of removing range anxiety with a five-minute charge is compelling, but the economics will be a critical factor.
BYD’s efforts to expand its BYD charger network could set a new standard for EV fast charging if other manufacturers align their vehicle technology to match.
For now, BYD is proving that long charging stops are no longer an unavoidable part of EV ownership.
The test in Shanghai has shown that with the right EV charger infrastructure, range anxiety does not have to be part of the conversation anymore.
The focus now is on making this technology accessible beyond demonstration sites and into everyday EV charging stations.
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Callum Tokody is a content writer at Supercar Blondie, where he covers the latest in the automotive world with a focus on design and performance. Callum has a background in automotive journalism and has contributed to a range of publications in Australia and the UK. Outside of work, he’s a design enthusiast with a soft spot for anything with a V8 and a good story.
