The BYD Han L sedan leaves all other electric vehicles behind in terms of charging capabilities, yet it remains more affordable than a Tesla Model 3.
- BYD is introducing two electric vehicles with "Megawatt" charging capabilities, able to add approximately 250 miles of range within just five minutes.
- Both models are even more affordable than anticipated, with their pricing beginning at around $28,544.
- As chargers aren’t capable of delivering a megawatt of power, the Han L and Tang L models feature dual charging ports for concurrent rapid charging.
Chinese giant BYD stunned the electric vehicle sector with its announcement of Megawatt-level charging for future cars. . While U.S. market EVs top out at around 350 to 400 kilowatt when charging, BYD said its new cars will be able to charge at over double that rate, drawing Quick responses from other advanced Chinese companies pledging their upcoming ultra-rapid charging technologies. This new technology would cut charging times down to as little as 5 minutes for 248 miles of range, effectively rendering gas obsolete in the long term Now, BYD has disclosed the pricing details, and surprisingly, the cost is even more affordable than originally anticipated.
The world's largest EV maker says its Han L sedan will start at 209,800 yuan, equivalent to $28,544 at today's exchange rates. That's way lower than the originally announced starting price of 270,000 yuan ($36,737). While you can't just convert the price to get a full picture—as tax differences, purchasing power parity differences and plenty of other caveats apply—the new price is still an extraordinary value. A Tesla Model 3 begins at 235,000 yuan, approximately $32,000, per Car News China . That means this world-shaking, cutting edge EV that's redefining the "fast" in fast charging costs less than a Tesla that launched in 2017. You can see, then, why Western companies are getting their collective rumps kicked, especially in China itself.
The Han L sedan is available in three trim levels, with the highest-end model priced at 279,800 yuan ($37,935). This places the premium variant of this stylish, upscale sedan roughly $12,000 below the typical price point for vehicles in the United States.
All versions come with a 83.2 kWh BYD "Blade" battery. Official range figures go from 373 miles (601 km) to 436 miles (701 km), though note that's on China's optimistic CLTC cycle. Real-world range will likely be worse, but with megawatt charging that's not much of an issue. BYD recognizes that most chargers won't be able to max out the "Super E" platform's charging capabilities, too, so it includes two charging ports for simultaneous fast charging. You can hook up two 500-kW chargers and leave every Porsche , Lucid and Tesla in the dust. It also comes with 1,086 hp, so it's not like they'll be able to make up time on the road.
BYD God's Eye is similar to Tesla Autopilot. It also includes a standard option. Additionally, there will be a hybrid variant available for those who believe this might hinder their travel speed during road trips. The hybrid model will feature a 1.5-liter engine.
BYD is developing an SUV based on the same 1,000-volt Super E platform as the Tang L. This mid-size crossover shares comparable specifications with the Han L. The pricing for this model ranges from 229,800 yuan ($31,268) to 289,800 yuan ($39,432). For such a luxurious SUV capable of consuming enough power to match what a small town might use during a pit stop, it represents quite the bargain.
The BYD Tang L crossover.
It is evident that swift-charging and budget-friendly electric vehicles can be achieved. China has demonstrated this capability, yet so have others. have Hyundai and Tesla To a smaller degree. The focus should be on genuine investments in technology instead of tepid efforts resulting in hybrid vehicles from companies more interested in selling gasoline trucks. Failure to address this issue promptly could leave Western car manufacturers trailing behind their Chinese counterparts.
Contact the author: Mack.hogan@insideevs.com .
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