Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD unveiled technology that allows electric vehicles to charge as quickly as refueling internal combustion engine vehicles.

Wang Chuanfu, the chairman of BYD, is explaining the new charging technology at the headquarters in Shenzhen, China, on Nov. 17 (local time). /Courtesy of BYD account

According to major foreign media outlets such as Bloomberg, Wang Chuanfu, chairman of BYD, announced on the 17th that he would launch a 'super e-platform' capable of driving 400 kilometers on a 5-minute charge during an event held at the company's headquarters in Shenzhen, China.

This technology is faster than Tesla's Supercharger, which allows for a range of 275 kilometers with a 15-minute charge. It also surpasses the technology used in the Mercedes-Benz CLA electric sedan, which can travel 325 kilometers with a 10-minute charge.

BYD plans to sell vehicles equipped with the super e-platform starting next month and noted that it will install more than 4,000 ultra-fast charging stations across China.

BYD has started pre-sales for its first models applying this platform, the 'Han L' sedan and the 'Tang L' sports utility vehicle (SUV), which will be sold at 270,000 yuan (approximately 54 million won) and 280,000 yuan (approximately 55 million won), respectively.