The battle for the most powerful charging stations in China continues. After BYD introduced its 1,000 kW charger, Huawei has announced that on April 22, during the Shanghai Auto Show, it will unveil an even more powerful one—with a peak output of up to 1.5 MW and a maximum current of 2,400 A.
This is a massive power level, specifically designed for electric trucks, which, much more than cars, require such high-capacity chargers for fast recharging.
With this move, Huawei joins the ranks of Chinese manufacturers pushing for ultra-fast charging. Alongside BYD, companies like Zeekr, Nio, Li Auto, and Xpeng have all introduced charging solutions that far exceed Tesla’s 500 kW Supercharger. The announcement coincides with Zeekr’s own launch of a similarly powerful 1.2 MW charging station at the Shanghai Auto Show.
Huawei’s New Charging Station
The announcement was made by Hou Jinlong, President of Huawei Digital Energy, during the China Electric Vehicle 100 Forum. According to him, Huawei’s supercharger will be capable of delivering 20 kWh per minute, enabling a full charge in just 15 minutes.
Unlike Zeekr’s and BYD’s superchargers, which are intended for passenger cars, Huawei’s infrastructure aims to drastically reduce charging times for heavy-duty vehicles.
On the same day as Huawei’s announcement, Zeekr revealed plans to launch its 1.2 MW supercharger in the second quarter of 2024. Over the past three years, the company has upgraded its charging stations from 360 kW to 800 kW and currently operates 826 stations across China.
BYD is also making strides in the sector, having recently unveiled its 1,000 kW ultra-fast charger, capable of adding 2 km of range per second or 400 km in just 5 minutes. To overcome power grid limitations, BYD has integrated energy storage systems into its charging stations, allowing them to supply 1,000 kW even in areas with limited electricity availability. The Shenzhen-based company plans to install 4,000 units of its 1 MW chargers, with the first 500 set to roll out in April.
Beyond high-power charging, Huawei is also exploring new technologies to streamline the charging process. On January 15, the company released a teaser video showcasing a robotic arm for autonomous charging. This system, mounted on a 600 kW charger, enables EV charging without human intervention.
