BYD turned the script over with an EV charging. The Chinese automaker has introduced a new fast charging system that can add a 249-mile range in just five minutes.
Tesla has been leading charging with fast charging for a long time, but BYD has come for the Crown along with what it describes as a super e-platform capable of offering peak charging power of up to 1,000 kW. The new BYD battery system allows the EV to speed up with gas refueling, reducing wait times to just a few minutes.
The company is rolling out the technology with its upcoming Han L Sedan and Tang L SUVs, with pre-orders already open in China. But it doesn’t stop there. BYD plans to install more than 4,000 ultra-fast charging stations across China to support its growing fleet.
“BYD’s new battery and charging system was able to provide a range of approximately 400 kilometers (249 miles) in five minutes in testing the new HanL sedan,” reported Bloomberg.
Surge in stock and impact on the market
The announcement rose more than 6% on BYD’s Hong Kong listed stocks to a record Hong Kong $408.80 on March 18, 2025.
For years, Tesla’s supercharger network has been one of its biggest selling points. The company’s V3 supercharger peaked at 250 kW, and it took about 15 minutes to add the same 249 mile range. BYD’s claim that the time was reduced to two-thirds could change consumer expectations, especially for those who hesitate to use EVs due to waiting times charging.
As one observer said, “The line will appear on the charging station. If you are on the interstate, you won’t be able to stop even if you wait the next time.” BYD founder Wang Chuanfu made that clear. His company wants to eliminate the charges of anxiety based on the speed at which gasoline vehicles are refueled. If it’s delivered, Tesla is in development, but may have no choice but to accelerate its own V4 Supercharger Rollout, which has no clear launch date.
BYD’s global expansion
BYD is not just superior to Tesla’s charging technology. The company took the top spot in global EV sales in 2024, moving 1.78 million battery-powered EVs compared to Tesla’s 1.77 million. The gap is growing.
China is BYD’s home turf and dominates with a 32% share of the new energy vehicle market. Sales in February 2025 skyrocketed at 318,000 units from 161%, while Tesla’s sales in China fell 49% to 30,688. What is the main reason? BYD is lowering Tesla on prices. The compact EV, Dolphin, starts at $15,000, while the Tesla Model 3 costs $40,000, a tough selling in price-sensitive markets.
However, BYD has not stopped in China. The company is pushing deeper into Europe by expanding production in Hungary, Turkey and potentially Germany, avoiding EU tariffs. This year, it aims to sell 186,000 in the region, banking a lineup ranging from budget-friendly options such as dolphins to high-end models such as the Cerion 7 SUV.
Tesla still retains its advantages in North America, where US tariffs are hampered. But the real battle could be in Europe, Asia and emerging markets. There, price and availability often outweigh brand loyalty.
How does this hit Tesla?
BYD’s charging breakthrough attacks one of Tesla’s greatest advantages: Speed. Tesla’s supercharger network remains the best in terms of coverage and reliability, but BYD is building its own infrastructure at least in China.
That raises the important question: Can BYD’s technical scale be globally? Tesla’s superchargers have been tested and widely deployed. BYD’s ultra-fast charger is new and we still don’t know if it will work as advertised outside of controlled conditions.
Beyond charging, Tesla still has a few cards. Its fully autonomous driving (FSD) software, regular over-the-air updates, and a customer base like cults give BYD a competitive moat that hasn’t cracked yet. Tesla also makes money outside of batteries, solar energy and AI cars, but BYD is still primarily an automaker.
But numbers don’t lie. Tesla sales in China are slipping, and BYD is expanding rapidly. If BYD’s five-minute charging technology and charging network prove to be reliable, you can lower your price to Tesla or speed up your own innovation cycle.
Byd and Tesla were trapped in a tough race for the EV dominance.
According to InsideEvs, Tesla maintained a small lead in 2024 EV sales, delivering 1.79 million vehicles just before BYD’s 1.76 million. The thin margin of razors highlights growing competition between the two automakers, indicating a change in the industry as BYD continues to bridge the gap.
However, BYD led the EV production in the fourth quarter of 2023, surpassing Tesla for the first time. This marks a major moment in the global EV market, highlighting how quickly BYD scales operations.
Beyond electric vehicles, BYD has gained evidence by selling a combination of plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) and battery EVs. The company sold 2.49 million PHEVs in 2024, an increase of 72.8% from the previous year. This strategy, offering both hybrid and pure EVs, has helped to gain a wider customer base, especially in regions where charging infrastructure is still developing.
As BYD grows at this rate, Tesla faces pressure to maintain its lead while protecting its base in dominant markets such as North America. It will determine whether Tesla will be able to hold its position for the next few years, or whether BYD will advance in the global EV race.
Beyond EV
BYDs don’t just innovate charging. The company suggests plans to integrate DJI’s drone technology into the vehicle, allowing future models to launch drones for exploration or security. BYD’s approach is unique as Tesla has not shown interest in similar ones.
On the other hand, in the stock market, global trends are unpredictable. In another market development, five major Japanese traders rose 2.5% to 3.6% after Berkshire Hathaway increased its stocks. The movement had nothing to do with BYD, but it highlights how dynamic the global auto and investment markets are now.
What’s next?
The 5-minute charging capacity of BYD could rebuild EV expectations. Brand loyalty, infrastructure and software cushion the mask empire, and a combination of affordable prices, aggressive expansion and technical improvements gives the mask empire some cushion.
One thing is clear. Racing isn’t just about who makes the best car. It’s about who can build the fastest, cheapest, and most convenient charging ecosystem. Now, BYD makes a strong argument that Tesla may need to rethink its next move.
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