China's BYD just supercharged its electric vehicle competition with Tesla Motors, jolting the global EV market with a new charger it says will provide more than just power.
The EV maker unveiled Super e-Platform, an ultra-fast charging system that it claims will blow away rivals, notably Elon Musk and Co.
"Batteries are the backbone of EV competition, influencing key factors like range, charging speed, durability and cost efficiency," Rania Gule, a senior market analyst at XS.com, told The National.
"Faster charging technology, such as BYD's new five-minute charger, could change consumer perception."
What is BYD's new supercharger?
The Super e-Platform battery and charging system can hit a peak speed of 1,000 kW, BYD founder Wang Chuanfu said during its unveiling on Tuesday.
That would give an EV enough power to travel up to 470km in just five minutes of being plugged – almost on par with refuelling a petrol car.
The new technology aims to "fundamentally solve users' charging anxiety", according to Mr Wang.
"Our pursuit is to make the charging time of electric vehicles as short as the refuelling time of fuel vehicles," Mr Wang said.
But, more importantly, Super e-Platform is meant to "fundamentally solve users' charging anxiety".
What is charging anxiety?
Charging anxiety is one of the biggest concerns for EV owners: it is their worry that charging stations are unreliable, for reasons unable to find an available charging point or if the equipment is faulty or out of service.
That is different from range anxiety, which charging anxiety is a result of: the former is, as its name implies, the worry of EV owners that their vehicle's power is not enough for a journey.
Aside from leaving home or origin with ample or full charge, it is advised that EV owners map out charging points along their way, in the event a jolt is needed for their EVs.
Currently, one of the biggest barriers to EV adoption is charging time, as most fast chargers take 20 to 30 minutes for a significant charge, while standard home chargers take hours.
A five-minute charger, "if widely available and cost-effective, would dramatically reduce range anxiety and make EVs as convenient as refuelling a gasoline car", Ms Gule said.
How does Super e-Platform stack up against others?
The BYD Super e-Platform’s 470km-in-five-minutes capability dwarfs the best from Tesla. The fastest Tesla V4 superchargers will peak at 500kW when they are launched this year; the fastest current Tesla Superchargers can only go as far as 275km in 10 minutes.
Mercedes-Benz’s CLA EV, on the other hand, is slightly better – but still far off – offering 325km in 10 minutes.
Not even BYD's peers come close to it. Li Auto – whose chief executive Li Xiang reportedly said in a Tuesday Weibo post that it is making moves towards fully autonomous driving – has one EV that can race to a range of 500km in 12 minutes.
Price, however, remains a major concern: if new battery technology adds to the cost, mainstream adoption in fleet operations will face delays, said Rahul Singh, managing director of Thrifty and Dollar Car Rentals in the UAE.
"Legacy automakers and Chinese EV manufacturers may focus on scaling production and localised battery manufacturing to lower costs, making EVs more accessible," he told The National.
How would Tesla and others respond?
BYD sits on top of the global EV market, after famously overtaking Tesla in the fourth quarter of 2023, despite record sales from the latter.
In that year, BYD sold 3,014,692 vehicles, nearly two thirds more compared to Texas-based Tesla, according to latest data from industry tracker EV volumes.
Tesla and other major EV manufacturers would likely respond to BYD’s new charger in several ways, depending on its feasibility, cost and market impact, Ms Gule said.
More importantly, BYD's competition would evaluate whether BYD’s technology "is a breakthrough or a niche innovation before making major strategic shifts", she said.
"While BYD and other Chinese EV makers may experiment with premium pricing for this new technology, their competitive advantage lies in affordability. Unless production costs force a price increase, they are likely to integrate fast charging while maintaining their low-cost strategy to dominate global EV markets."
Will this be a big deal in the UAE?
It is unclear when Super e-Platform will be rolled out. The National has reached out to BYD for comment.
Any improvements in EV batteries are to be welcomed in a market like the UAE, as it is a "defining factor" in adoption where consumers prioritise convenience, Mr Singh said.
For relevant industries such as car rentals – which is popular in the Emirates – the unit economics remain a challenge for these companies to fully integrate EVs into their mainstream offerings, until – just like the aforementioned dynamic on range anxiety – such technology is widespread and cost-effective, he added.
"Until battery prices drop significantly, the rental industry will struggle to absorb costs without passing them on to consumers," Mr Singh said.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Tips for newlyweds to better manage finances
All couples are unique and have to create a financial blueprint that is most suitable for their relationship, says Vijay Valecha, chief investment officer at Century Financial. He offers his top five tips for couples to better manage their finances.
Discuss your assets and debts: When married, it’s important to understand each other’s personal financial situation. It’s necessary to know upfront what each party brings to the table, as debts and assets affect spending habits and joint loan qualifications. Discussing all aspects of their finances as a couple prevents anyone from being blindsided later.
Decide on the financial/saving goals: Spouses should independently list their top goals and share their lists with one another to shape a joint plan. Writing down clear goals will help them determine how much to save each month, how much to put aside for short-term goals, and how they will reach their long-term financial goals.
Set a budget: A budget can keep the couple be mindful of their income and expenses. With a monthly budget, couples will know exactly how much they can spend in a category each month, how much they have to work with and what spending areas need to be evaluated.
Decide who manages what: When it comes to handling finances, it’s a good idea to decide who manages what. For example, one person might take on the day-to-day bills, while the other tackles long-term investments and retirement plans.
Money date nights: Talking about money should be a healthy, ongoing conversation and couples should not wait for something to go wrong. They should set time aside every month to talk about future financial decisions and see the progress they’ve made together towards accomplishing their goals.
Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Wicked
Director: Jon M Chu
Stars: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
Citadel: Honey Bunny first episode
Directors: Raj & DK
Stars: Varun Dhawan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Kashvi Majmundar, Kay Kay Menon
Rating: 4/5
The%20Mandalorian%20season%203%20episode%201
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ERick%20Famuyiwa%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EPedro%20Pascal%20and%20Katee%20Sackhoff%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E4%2F5%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Gothia Cup 2025
4,872 matches
1,942 teams
116 pitches
76 nations
26 UAE teams
15 Lebanese teams
2 Kuwaiti teams
Blackpink World Tour [Born Pink] In Cinemas
Starring: Rose, Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa
Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong
Rating: 3/5
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Sav%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202021%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Purvi%20Munot%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20FinTech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%24750%2C000%20as%20of%20March%202023%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Angel%20investors%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Jebel Ali results
2pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 50,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
Winner: AF Al Moreeb, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer)
2.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh 60,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner: Shamikh, Ryan Curatolo, Nicholas Bachalard
3pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 64,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: One Vision, Connor Beasley, Ali Rashid Al Raihe
3.30pm: Conditions (TB) Dh 100,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Gabr, Sam Hitchcott, Doug Watson
4pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 96,000 (D) 1,800m
Winner: Just A Penny, Sam Hitchcock, Doug Watson
4.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh 60,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Torno Subito, Sam Hitchcock, Doug Watson
5pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 76,000 (D) 1,950m
Winner: Untold Secret, Jose Santiago, Salem bin Ghadayer
In Full Flight: A Story of Africa and Atonement
John Heminway, Knopff
Tuesday's fixtures
Kyrgyzstan v Qatar, 5.45pm
From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
Six large-scale objects on show
- Concrete wall and windows from the now demolished Robin Hood Gardens housing estate in Poplar
- The 17th Century Agra Colonnade, from the bathhouse of the fort of Agra in India
- A stagecloth for The Ballet Russes that is 10m high – the largest Picasso in the world
- Frank Lloyd Wright’s 1930s Kaufmann Office
- A full-scale Frankfurt Kitchen designed by Margarete Schütte-Lihotzky, which transformed kitchen design in the 20th century
- Torrijos Palace dome
Ad Astra
Director: James Gray
Stars: Brad Pitt, Tommy Lee Jones
Five out of five stars
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Switch%20Foods%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202022%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Edward%20Hamod%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Abu%20Dhabi%2C%20UAE%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Plant-based%20meat%20production%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2034%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%246.5%20million%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%20round%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Seed%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Based%20in%20US%20and%20across%20Middle%20East%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs
Engine: 2-litre 4-cylinder and 3.6-litre 6-cylinder
Power: 220 and 280 horsepower
Torque: 350 and 360Nm
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Price: from Dh136,521 VAT and Dh166,464 VAT
On sale: now
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
Going grey? A stylist's advice
If you’re going to go grey, a great style, well-cared for hair (in a sleek, classy style, like a bob), and a young spirit and attitude go a long way, says Maria Dowling, founder of the Maria Dowling Salon in Dubai.
It’s easier to go grey from a lighter colour, so you may want to do that first. And this is the time to try a shorter style, she advises. Then a stylist can introduce highlights, start lightening up the roots, and let it fade out. Once it’s entirely grey, a purple shampoo will prevent yellowing.
“Get professional help – there’s no other way to go around it,” she says. “And don’t just let it grow out because that looks really bad. Put effort into it: properly condition, straighten, get regular trims, make sure it’s glossy.”
