A five-minute charge to go 250 miles? This Chinese EV giant claims it can offer just that

Illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on CNN or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: Chinese EV giant BYD has unveiled a new “Super E-Platform” charging system that can add 250 miles of range in just five minutes
• To support the innovation, BYD (See sustainability performance) plans to build 4,000 ultra-fast charging stations across China
• The announcement intensifies competition in the world's largest auto market, especially against Tesla

🔭 The context: Tesla’s Superchargers take about 15 minutes to provide 200 miles of range, making BYD’s new technology a potential game-changer
• BYD also launched pre-orders for models equipped with this technology, with deliveries set to begin next month
• Meanwhile, Tesla (See sustainability performance) started free trials of its Full Self-Driving (FSD) service in China, despite ongoing regulatory and technical hurdles

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Faster charging times could accelerate EV adoption by reducing range anxiety and making EVs more convenient
• BYD’s rapid expansion of charging infrastructure supports a shift away from fossil fuel-powered vehicles
• The innovation also increases pressure on global automakers to advance clean energy solutions

⏭️ What's next: If successful, BYD’s new charging system could set a new industry standard, pushing competitors like Tesla to improve their own charging speeds
• Tesla faces additional hurdles in China, including regulatory challenges and declining market share
• BYD's continued dominance in China’s EV market suggests it may expand its lead over Tesla in innovation and sales

💬 One quote: “Our goal is to make EV charging as fast as refueling a gasoline car.” — Wang Chuanfu, BYD Chairman

📈 One stat: BYD held a 32% market share of China’s new energy vehicle sales in 2024, while Tesla accounted for only 6.1%

See here detailed sustainability performance of companies like BYD and Tesla, Inc.

Click for more news covering the latest on battery tech