BYD has unveiled a new electric-vehicle platform that it says will "end charging anxiety by matching the refuelling speeds of combustion-engined vehicles". Called Super e-Platform, the new architecture introduces a number of new technologies.
The platform achieves a charging power of one megawatt (1000kW), the highest peak charging speed for mass-production EVs. In practical terms, this means that Super e-Platform can add two kilometres of range per second, and a five-minute "flash charge" for 400km of driving range.
The architecture features a single power-motor output of 580kW, delivering a top speed in its two initial models, the China-market Han L sedan and Tang L SUV, of more than 300km/h. The high performance is achieved through a new motor that’s capable of running at up to 30,000rpm.
At a launch event in Shenzhen, Wang Chuanfu, chairman and president of BYD Group, said the new technology would help to wipe out the biggest remaining pain-point for EV users: “To completely eliminate users’ charging anxiety, our goal is to make EV charging as fast as refuelling a gasoline car.”
For this parity to be realised, charging needs to combine ultra-high voltage and high current. Super e-Platform features “all-domain kilovolt high-voltage architecture”, while enables kilovolt-level capacity across the battery, motor, power supply and air conditioning.
The Super e-Platform also introduces BYD’s Flash Charging Battery, which features an ultra-fast ion channel from the battery’s anode to cathode for a maximum charging current of 1000A and a maximum charging rate of 10C.
To support these rates, BYD has developed and mass-produced a new generation of automotive-grade silicon carbide (SiC) power chip with a voltage rating of up to 1500V.
Megawatt charging needs megawatt chargers
There's a catch of course, and it's one you've probably already guessed: the new ultra-rapid charging technology requires advanced charging stations to operate at full capacity.
BYD has also developed a full liquid-cooled megawatt flash-charging terminal system that can deliver a maximum output of 1360kW.
Looking ahead, BYD plans to build over 4000 megawatt flash-charging stations across China. But in addition to its own stations, BYD has also developed “dual-gun charging” technology that can instantly upgrade fast chargers to ultra-fast chargers and superchargers to flash chargers.
This “intelligent boost” technology, is intended to ensure compatibility with public charging stations.
