Charging your BYD in under 5 minutes, a solar powered electric vehicle that’s road-ready, the UK's largest charging station yet opened - the EV world in March was full of interesting and exciting news, and we have it all for you, right here in this edition of Electro Beat!
Let’s get plugged in…
If you’ve ever wished you could charge your EV to full in five minutes, then we have good news for you! Chinese car maker BYD has been developing technology with up to 1000kW of charging power - making public EV charging stations faster than ever before!
If you’d like us to put into context how fast these chargers are, they are double the speed of Tesla’s ultra-fast chargers and can supply up to 400km (249 miles) in only five minutes. To put the distance into perspective, a journey by car from London to Paris is approximately 400km!
For now, there are only two BYD models compatible with these charge points. Released in January this year (2025), both models are supposed to be officially coming onto the market in early April, after pre-sales began mid-March!
Introducing: the Han L sedan and the Tang L SUV, priced from 270,000 yuan (£28,699 or 34,474 €)! These reasonably priced EVs are both upgrades from the previous models; the Han L sedan, for example, is longer and wider than its predecessor - the standard Han.
What both models have in common, however, is their epic batteries! So, how are these EVs capable of receiving a megawatt of power in 5 minutes?
BYD changed two things in their EV batteries: they reduced the internal resistance and updated their silicon carbide power chips. In layman's terms, silicon carbide is a semiconductor inside the battery - making chips out of this material (rather than regular silicon) means they can operate at higher temperatures, voltages, and frequencies. To summarise, these upgrades prevent damaging heat from the ultra-high voltage and ultra-large current, allowing the EV to charge at the highest speed in the industry thus far!
BYD has announced that they are planning to install 4,000 of its own "flash-charging stations" across China to support the new fast-charging, compatible EV models (and, eventually, those that will become compatible!). Whilst there was no time frame officially stated, the EVs are being released to the public this April (2025) so the charging stations will surely soon follow! Wang Chauanfu, the Founder of BYD stated:
“In order to completely solve our users’ charging anxiety, we have been pursuing a goal to make the charging time of electric vehicles as short as the refuelling time of petrol vehicles… This is the first time in the industry that the unit of megawatt has been achieved on charging power.”
Charging downtime is a major hurdle for EV adoption, especially for commercial fleets that need to stay on the move. Enter Ample, the battery swapping company now bringing its fast and fuss-free charging solution to Tokyo. With support from the Tokyo Metropolitan Environmental Public Corporation and partnerships with Mitsubishi Fuso and Mitsubishi Motors, this rollout aims to speed up fleet electrification and help the city cut greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030.
A massive commercial delivery market
Limited space for traditional charging stations
A big push for sustainable urban mobility
Ample has already proved its tech works in Kyoto, where battery swapping not only kept EVs running but also helped reduce grid strain.
Now, the company is scaling up, bringing its five-minute battery swap solution to Tokyo’s busy streets.
Five-minute swaps – no more waiting for a full charge
Works with any EV model – no modifications needed
Rapid deployment – stations are installed in just days
Supports over 100 vehicles per station – perfect for fleets
“Tokyo is one of the world’s most advanced cities in sustainable urban development and one of the largest markets for commercial deliveries, making it the perfect place for our next deployments,” said Khaled Hassounah, CEO of Ample.
With Japan’s focus on electrification and innovative infrastructure, battery swapping could be the key to getting more EVs on the road without the usual charging constraints. If this model takes off, Tokyo could set the standard for high-speed EV adoption in dense urban areas—one quick battery swap at a time.
Aptera’s solar electric vehicle (sEV) is one step closer to reality after acing its first round of real-world testing in the Mojave Desert. With thousands of pre-order holders eagerly waiting, these tests confirmed what Aptera has long promised—unmatched efficiency that could redefine electric mobility.
Unlike traditional EVs, Aptera’s three-wheeled sEV is designed to run on solar power, using its ultra-aerodynamic shape to maximize efficiency. The latest tests proved just how well that design performs under real-world conditions.
Coastdown Test – Aptera took over three minutes to roll to a stop from 60 mph—even uphill. That’s efficiency on another level.
Tuft Testing – Airflow behaved exactly as predicted, helping refine the vehicle’s streamlined shape.
Highway Testing – Energy use closely matched Aptera’s simulations, proving their calculations were spot-on.
What’s Next? – Next up, range tests and real-world solar charging validation.
One of the biggest highlights was the coastdown test, where the sEV kept rolling for over three minutes after hitting 60 mph. For comparison, most EVs and gas cars would have stopped far sooner due to higher drag and rolling resistance. This test confirms that Aptera’s low-energy design minimizes losses and maximizes range.
Tuft testing—where engineers attach small yarn pieces to the vehicle to visualize airflow—also delivered great news. The sEV’s real-world aerodynamics matched its computer simulations, meaning Aptera’s engineers can fine-tune the design with confidence.
Meanwhile, extended highway testing showed that the vehicle’s energy consumption predictions were spot-on, proving that the drivetrain and aerodynamic design work as intended.
“Our validation testing confirms that we’re on track to achieve our target energy consumption of roughly 100 Wh/mile—unlocking a level of efficiency that makes solar mobility possible in a way never seen before,” said Steve Fambro, Co-Founder & Co-CEO of Aptera.
With the first round of real-world testing done, Aptera is gearing up for the next big steps:
Full-range testing – Measuring how far it can go on a full charge.Solar charging validation – Seeing how much power the sEV can generate in real conditions.
Aptera’s vision of a car powered by the sun is getting closer to production. If these tests are anything to go by, the future of EVs might just be lighter, more aerodynamic, and completely solar-powered.
Over the past few years, car manufacturers around the world have been making the jump into the electric industry! So far, many manufacturers have been adapting their petrol-engine cars to electric, releasing BEV (battery electric vehicle) or PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle) versions of cars which were originally designed to be petrol/gas.
Now, Mercedes has decided to go a different route.
They have made the decision to manufacture a fully electric car, whilst additionally adapting it to a hybrid with a gasoline engine and a small battery engine to power shorter journeys. Most importantly, they will not be providing a gasoline-only alternative for this particular Mercedes model!
The BEV model in question is the new Mercedes-Benz CLA! With up to 492 miles (792km) in range, low energy consumption of around 5.1mi/kWh and a sporty, comfortable interior with a panoramic roof, this car is built for long journeys and more. And Mercedes knows it! Advertising it as ‘made for long drives’ and ‘affordable’, Mercedes seems to be aiming for accessibility for the masses. No price has been released yet, though Mercedes has claimed it will be affordable for owners of the current CLA version, which starts at £34,795 or 41,768 €. The EV itself has not been released yet either - Mercedes’ website simply stating ‘available soon’.
By releasing a fully electric car, Mercedes hopes to prove that technology development and improvement is removing all need for range anxiety. For example, when using high-voltage chargers, the CLA can gain more than 200 miles (321.87 km) of range in 10 minutes! Similar to the new BYD models (check out the first article in this blog if you missed it!), Mercedes has been upgrading their batteries from graphite to silicon oxide, enabling them to hold more energy and extending their range by a large amount!
InstaVolt has unveiled its largest and most advanced site yet: the Winchester Superhub. Conveniently located near Winchester, Hampshire, this impressive facility features 44 ultrarapid chargers, each delivering up to 160kW of power - setting a new benchmark for EV charging in the UK.
But it’s not just about speed. The Superhub also champions sustainability, with a 500kW on-site solar farm and two battery energy storage systems totaling 960kW/4MWh. This forward-thinking setup helps the site operate more independently from the grid, marking a big step toward greener, more self-sufficient charging.
Drivers can also expect more than just a quick stop. The hub offers a range of amenities designed to make charging more comfortable and convenient, including a Starbucks café, 24/7 toilet facilities, a children’s play area, and a dedicated dog-friendly space.
Safety and design have also been carefully considered, with advanced CCTV, low-level LED lighting that ensures security without harsh glare, and tree-lined surroundings that blend innovation with natural beauty. The Winchester Superhub represents the future of EV charging - fast, reliable, sustainable, and thoughtfully designed for everyone.
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