Chinese automakers race ahead with 5-minute EV fast charging

Chinese automakers Geely, BYD, and CATL have unveiled electric vehicle batteries capable of ultrafast charging in about five minutes, significantly outpacing U.S. and Canadian charging speeds of roughly 20 minutes. Geely announced Wednesday its system charges an EV from 10 to 70 percent in 4.5 minutes, following similar launches by BYD in March and CATL in April. Analysts say this narrows the gap with gasoline refueling, addressing range anxiety, though infrastructure and battery durability remain challenges. China's domestic market faces intense competition among over 100 car brands, driving technological innovation. Most public charging stations operate below 1 megawatt, limiting full potential, while BYD plans 90,000 superfast stations by 2028. The U.S. trails significantly, pursuing more moderate upgrades.