CHINA: BYD 1500kW Chargers, Solid State Batteries For Changan and Volkswagen Buys Xpengs Brain | 25 Feb 2026
About this episode
China is pushing the boundaries of EV technology with BYD rolling out 1,500 kW megawatt-class fast chargers paired with local energy storage to manage grid demand. Chang'an is advancing solid-state battery development, targeting 400 Wh/kg energy density and 932-mile range, aiming for mass production by 2027. Volkswagen has become the launch customer for Xpeng’s advanced near-level 4 autonomous driving system, marking a significant tech export from China. The episode also covers rising EV prices in China, growing pickup exports, and innovative overhead rail-mounted EV chargers in parking garages, highlighting China’s rapid innovation in EV infrastructure and technology.
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BYD SCALES MEGAWATT CHARGERS AS GEN II LEAKS https://evne.ws/3ZVizK7
CHANGAN TARGETS 2027 SOLID-STATE BATTERY PRODUCTION https://evne.ws/4cKn5mb
CHANGAN TARGETS 2026 SOLID-STATE ROAD TRIALS https://evne.ws/46UEOnk
VOLKSWAGEN BUYS XPENG’S SELF-DRIVING BRAIN https://evne.ws/4kWhKug
CHINA NEV PRICES REBOUND AS MIX SHIFTS UP https://evne.ws/476p0xO
CHINA PICKUP SALES RISE AS EXPORTS TAKE OVER https://evne.ws/4kQIwnH
CHINA TRIALS OVERHEAD RAIL CHARGING ROBOTS https://evne.ws/4b7itW7
EU CAR SALES FALL AS CHINESE BRANDS GAIN https://evne.ws/4kPOpSa
LI AUTO JOINS BRUSSELS LOBBY GROUP https://evne.ws/4tP9vEx
MAEXTRO BEATS INFLUENCER IN DEFAMATION CASE https://evne.ws/4tP2S53
DC fast charging
"Today, BYD's 1,500 kilowatt DC fast charges,"
DC fast charging is a way to quickly fill up an electric car's battery, much faster than regular charging.
DC fast charging is a method of rapidly charging electric vehicle batteries using direct current, significantly reducing charging time compared to standard AC charging.
BYD
"Today, BYD's 1,500 kilowatt DC fast charges,"
BYD is a big company from China that makes electric cars and batteries. They work on making cars charge faster and better.
BYD is a major Chinese manufacturer of electric vehicles and batteries, known for its innovations in EV technology and fast charging solutions.
solid-state batteries
"solid-state batteries for Chang'an,"
Solid-state batteries are a new type of battery that can store more power and are safer than regular batteries in electric cars.
Solid-state batteries use a solid electrolyte instead of a liquid one, offering higher energy density, improved safety, and longer lifespan compared to traditional lithium-ion batteries.
Volkswagen Buys
"solid-state batteries for Chang'an, and Volkswagen buys X-Pung's Brain. Plus, stay tuned, I'll tell you ..."
The Volkswagen Bus is a famous old van that many people remember for being fun and useful. The podcast mentioned it when talking about new battery technology, because Volkswagen is working on making this classic van more modern and electric.
The Volkswagen Bus, also known as the VW Type 2, is an iconic van that has become a symbol of freedom and counterculture since its introduction in the mid-20th century. It is often referenced in discussions about electric vehicle technology and solid-state batteries, reflecting Volkswagen's efforts to modernize this classic vehicle.
electric vehicle market
""Welcome to EV News, China, the podcast dedicated to the world's largest electric vehicle market. Every day, I bring you the latest headlines,""
The electric vehicle market means all the cars that run on electricity instead of gas. China has the biggest number of these electric cars in the world.
The electric vehicle market refers to the industry segment focused on vehicles powered by electric motors using energy stored in batteries, rather than traditional internal combustion engines. China is currently the world's largest electric vehicle market, with rapid growth and widespread adoption.
megawatt-class charging terminal
"fully liquid-cooled, megawatt-class charging terminal for passenger vehicles."
This is a super powerful charger for electric cars that can fill up the battery really fast, much faster than normal chargers.
A megawatt-class charging terminal is a very high-power electric vehicle charger capable of delivering power in the megawatt range, allowing extremely rapid charging of electric vehicles.
liquid cooling
"Liquid cooling runs through the cables and through the unit."
Liquid cooling means using a special liquid to keep parts like charging cables from getting too hot when charging.
Liquid cooling is a method of temperature control where a liquid circulates through components, such as charging cables or battery packs, to dissipate heat efficiently and maintain optimal operating temperatures.
dual gun setup
"BYD uses a dual gun setup."
Dual gun setup means the charger has two plugs or cables, so it can charge faster or charge two parts at once.
A dual gun setup refers to a charging system that uses two separate connectors or cables to deliver electricity, allowing for faster or more flexible charging options.
megawatt flash charges
"BYD launched the megawatt flash charges in May 2025"
Megawatt flash charges are very fast chargers that can fill up electric car batteries much quicker than normal chargers.
Megawatt flash charges are ultra-fast electric vehicle charging systems capable of delivering power in the megawatt range, significantly reducing charging times compared to conventional chargers.
Super E platform
"BYD launched the megawatt flash charges in May 2025 on their Super E platform."
Super E platform is the special design BYD uses for some electric cars to make them work better and charge faster.
The Super E platform is BYD's advanced electric vehicle architecture designed to support high-performance electric drivetrains and fast charging technologies.
thousand volt, thousand amp
"The headline specs at the time, thousand volt, thousand amp, therefore,"
Thousand volt, thousand amp means the charger can send a lot of electricity very fast to the car's battery.
This refers to the electrical specifications of the charger: operating at 1,000 volts and 1,000 amps, which together allow for extremely high power delivery to electric vehicles.
megawatt charging
""It's megawatt charging. It would peak at 1,360 kilowatts. BYD claims a charge rate of two kilometers a second.""
Megawatt charging means charging an electric car super fast by giving it a huge amount of electricity at once, much more than usual chargers.
Megawatt charging refers to ultra-high power electric vehicle charging systems capable of delivering power in the megawatt range (thousands of kilowatts), enabling extremely fast charging times for EVs.
local energy storage for peak shaving and valley filling
""So BYD's answer pairs the dispenser with local energy storage for peak shaving and valley filling, storing off peak power and discharging it.""
This means saving electricity when not many people are using it and then using that saved power when lots of people need it, so the power system works better.
Local energy storage for peak shaving and valley filling involves storing electricity during low-demand periods (valley filling) and using it during high-demand times (peak shaving) to reduce strain on the electrical grid and improve efficiency.
kilowatts
""anything from 280 kilowatts, which obviously is pretty slow compared to how much power you can output from the charger,""
Kilowatts tell you how strong or fast something like an electric charger or motor can work. More kilowatts means more power.
Kilowatts (kW) measure power output or consumption, commonly used to describe the rate of energy transfer in electric chargers and motors.
supercapacitor
""using battery energy storage on site, and a supercapacitor to supply instant power.""
A supercapacitor is like a special battery that can give power really fast when needed, helping things work better and faster.
A supercapacitor is an energy storage device that can quickly release and absorb energy, providing instant power bursts and improving efficiency in power systems.
KVA transformers
""The aim, avoid installing two KVA transformers, or 2,000 KVA transformers at the site.""
KVA transformers are machines that change electricity to the right strength so it can be used safely and properly by buildings or devices.
KVA transformers are electrical devices rated in kilovolt-amperes (kVA) that convert voltage levels to supply power efficiently to electrical systems.
AC grid power
"There's the AC grid power converted to DC,"
AC grid power is the type of electricity that comes from power plants and is sent to buildings and chargers. It changes direction many times per second.
AC grid power refers to the alternating current electricity supplied by the public power grid, which is the standard form of electrical power delivered to homes and businesses.
DC
"There's the AC grid power converted to DC,"
DC means electricity that flows straight in one direction, which is what batteries use to store power.
DC stands for direct current, which is a type of electrical current that flows in one direction only, commonly used for charging batteries.
flash charging terminal
"the flash charging terminal. The label stamp on it says 1,000 volts, 1,500 amps."
A flash charging terminal is like a super-fast gas pump for electric cars, letting them fill up their batteries much quicker than usual.
A flash charging terminal is a high-power electric vehicle charging station designed to deliver very fast charging by providing high voltage and current levels, significantly reducing charging time compared to standard chargers.
Chang'an
"Now, Chang'an has said its solid state battery program is on track. Chang'an posted the update on its investor interaction platform yesterday, 24th of February."
Chang'an is a big car company from China that makes electric cars and is working on new battery technology.
Chang'an is a major Chinese automotive manufacturer involved in electric vehicle development and battery technology, including solid state batteries.
solid state battery
"Now, Chang'an has said its solid state battery program is on track. Chang'an posted the update on its investor interaction platform yesterday, 24th of February."
It's a new kind of battery that can store more power, charge faster, and is safer because it uses solid materials instead of liquids inside.
A solid state battery uses solid electrolytes instead of liquid ones, offering advantages like higher energy density, improved safety, and faster charging compared to traditional lithium-ion batteries.
energy density
"Chang'an targets an energy density for its first all solid state batteries of 400 watt hours per kilogram."
Energy density is how much power a battery can hold compared to how heavy it is. More energy means your car can go farther on one charge.
Energy density refers to how much energy a battery can store relative to its weight, usually measured in watt hours per kilogram. Higher energy density means longer driving range for electric vehicles.
smart driving stack
"This is its launch customer for its smart driving stack. It's called VLA 2.0."
A smart driving stack is a set of computer programs and parts that help a car drive itself or help the driver.
A smart driving stack is a collection of software and hardware technologies that enable advanced driver assistance or autonomous driving features in vehicles.
deep seek
"He called it the deep seek moment for self-driving. That's a reference to an artificial intelligence Chinese platform called deep seek that was able to do what the American systems were doing with much smaller and cheaper models."
Deep Seek is a smart computer system from China that helps cars drive themselves using smaller and cheaper technology.
Deep Seek is an artificial intelligence platform from China known for its advanced capabilities in self-driving technology using smaller and more cost-effective models.
electric vehicle (EV)
"China's average selling price for EVs rose in January by $295,001. That's $28,200 for the average EV in China last month. ... even as battery electric vehicles still posted very strong retail volumes."
Electric vehicles are cars that run on electricity instead of gas. They help reduce pollution and use batteries to move.
Electric vehicles (EVs) are cars powered entirely or partially by electric motors using energy stored in batteries. They produce zero tailpipe emissions and are a key part of the shift toward sustainable transportation.
E-Revs (extended range electric vehicles)
"Power chains split the market by price. E-Revs extended range electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids posted the highest average selling prices."
E-Revs are electric cars that also have a small gas engine to make more electricity when the battery runs low. This helps you drive farther.
Extended range electric vehicles (E-Revs) are EVs equipped with an internal combustion engine that acts as a generator to recharge the battery, allowing longer driving range without relying solely on external charging.
plug-in hybrids
"E-Revs extended range electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids posted the highest average selling prices."
Plug-in hybrids are cars that use both gas and electricity. You can charge their batteries by plugging them in, and they can drive some distance on just electricity.
Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) combine a gasoline engine with an electric motor and battery that can be recharged by plugging into an external power source, allowing for electric-only driving for limited distances.
battery electric vehicles
"Pure battery electric models with the lower priced electric option on average, even as battery electric vehicles still posted very strong retail volumes."
Battery electric vehicles are cars that only use electricity stored in batteries to run. They don't use gas and need to be charged by plugging in.
Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) run entirely on electricity stored in batteries and do not have gasoline engines. They require charging from external power sources and produce no tailpipe emissions.
overhead scanner
"I was in a car park recently that has an overhead scanner for each space. And so you would cruise along the edge of the car park as it were."
It's a device hung above parking spots that can tell if a car is there or not, so it helps you find empty spaces faster.
An overhead scanner in a car park is a sensor system mounted above parking spaces that detects whether a space is occupied or free, helping drivers find parking spots more efficiently.
AC charging
""It's AC. It's not DC fast charging. But if your car is parked up for a few hours, well, then it should be slow charging.""
AC charging means your electric car is charged using the kind of electricity that comes from normal outlets, which is slower than special fast chargers.
AC charging uses alternating current to charge electric vehicles, typically through level one or level two chargers, and is slower compared to DC fast charging.
new car registrations
"European Union new car registrations last month in January fell by 4%."
New car registrations mean how many brand new cars are signed up to be driven on the road in a certain place and time. It helps people understand how many new cars are being sold.
New car registrations refer to the number of new vehicles officially registered for use on public roads within a specific region and time period. It is a key metric used to gauge car sales and market trends.
Mercedes-Benz Sclass
"After MyExtro posted a viral video of its S800 sedan, crab-walking and driving through water-filled and sand-filled potholes alongside an S-Class. In the clips, the S800 passed through both surfaces relatively cleanly,"
The Mercedes-Benz S-Class is a very fancy and comfortable car that is known for being smooth and full of smart features. In the podcast, they talked about a special version that could drive through tough places like water and sand, showing how strong and capable it is.
The Mercedes-Benz S-Class is a flagship luxury sedan renowned for its advanced technology, comfort, and performance. The S800 variant mentioned is notable for its off-road capabilities demonstrated in challenging conditions like water-filled and sand-filled potholes, showcasing its engineering excellence.
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