A new type of charging station from Chinese BYD is putting Tesla under pressure – and one expert doesn't understand why Elon Musk's Superchargers are lagging so far behind.
The world's largest manufacturer of electric cars, BYD, has just presented a new charging system that can supply power for 400 kilometers of driving in just five minutes.
That's four times faster than what Tesla's Superchargers can achieve.
This has led industry experts and media outlets like Forbes to question why Tesla can't keep up – and what it means for the brand's position in the future charging race.
Peter Lyon, who writes for Forbes and has followed the auto industry for decades, calls the difference between the two systems "remarkable."
He points out that BYD's new flash chargers have a maximum output of 1,360 kW, while Tesla's latest V4 Superchargers only reach 325 kW.
BYD has set a new standard
– It's a technological gap that Tesla can hardly ignore, writes Lyon.
He is particularly surprised that Tesla – which has long been known as a pioneer in the electric car industry – has apparently been overtaken by a brand that, just a few years ago, barely existed on the global electric car map.
BYD plans to install the new chargers at over 4,000 locations in China this year, allowing you to charge your electric car almost as quickly as you fill up a regular car with gas.
However, the technology is not yet on the way to the US. This is not due to a lack of will, but to a 100% US tariff wall that effectively blocks Chinese electric cars – including BYD – from the US market.
This means the United States is missing out on the rapid technology that could help push the electric car market even further.
Tesla shares plunged after the news
When news of BYD's fast chargers broke, the market reacted immediately. Tesla's stock price fell by almost 5% in one day. According to Forbes, this may be a sign that investors are starting to doubt Tesla's leadership in the electric car industry.
At the same time, the difference between the two brands' technologies is becoming more difficult to explain away, especially at a time when fast charging is one of the most crucial factors in whether electric cars can actually compete with gasoline and diesel cars on a global scale.
Tesla has had a difficult 2025. Sales have fallen in the US, Europe and China, and the Cybertruck model has received negative publicity for technical flaws and panels falling off during driving.
Tesla under pressure from several sides
During the same period, BYD has not only overtaken Tesla in the number of electric cars sold, but also launched new technologies that directly surpass Tesla's solutions.
– Several have surpassed Tesla in both software, range and intelligent driving, says Tu Le from the consulting firm Sino Auto Insights to Forbes.
Especially in charging, the difference is now so clear that it raises questions among many in the industry. Why doesn't Tesla have a solution that matches its competitor's speed? And how will the brand respond?
