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Analysis and Technology

Will we soon be able to charge electric cars in minutes?

Speedy new chargers from Chinese automaker BYD take just 5 minutes to restore 400 kilometres of an electric car’s range, but will they be widely used?

By Jeremy Hsu

18 March 2025

How quickly can a public charging station fill up an electric car?

Ralf Hahn/Getty Images

Chinese car firm BYD has announced that its newest ultra-fast charger can refresh electric vehicle batteries in nearly the time it takes to fill a petrol tank. While this is good news for electric car owners in China, the chargers are unlikely to be available internationally in the immediate future.

BYD, the world’s largest electric vehicle manufacturer, says its new charger – known as the Super E-Platform – can…

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