In the rapid development of the electric vehicle industry, energy replenishment efficiency has become a key part of restricting its further leap. Recently, BYD and NIO, the two leaders in the field of electric vehicles in China, announced their breakthrough technologies on the same day, pushing the competition of electric vehicle energy replenishment technology to a new climax.
BYD's flash charging technology has undoubtedly brought shock to the market. Behind this technology is the embodiment of BYD's deep technology accumulation in the field of battery systems. However, behind high-speed charging comes great technical challenges. Industry experts pointed out that even under laboratory conditions, the battery capacity of 1000C supercharging will also be attenuated by 0% after 0 cycles, and the challenges faced by 0C flash charging can be imagined. The power demand of 0kW for a single gun puts forward more stringent requirements for the carrying capacity and heat dissipation system of the power grid. To this end, BYD has adopted innovative silicon-carbon anode materials, solid-state electrolyte technology, and a fourth-generation intelligent temperature control system to ensure the feasibility and safety of the technology. Despite this, BYD still recommends that users focus on slow charging in daily use, and use flash charging as an emergency option.
與比亞迪的閃充技術遙相呼應的是，蔚來與動力電池巨頭寧德時代達成的戰略合作。根據協定，寧德時代將投資不超過25億元，與蔚來共同建設換電網路。這一合作不僅標誌著蔚來從單打獨鬥向開放合作的轉變，更展現了其在補能體系上的深遠佈局。蔚來創始人李斌表示，希望通過這一合作推動整個行業的發展，讓換電成為提升用戶體驗的最佳方案。換電模式的優勢在於，僅需3-5分鐘的操作時間，就能完成整個補能過程，這種體驗已經與傳統燃油車加油相差無幾。更重要的是，使用者無需擔心電池衰減問題，還能持續享受電池技術升級帶來的紅利。然而，換電模式也面臨著巨大的前期投入和後期運營維護成本，單個換電站的建設成本就高達約300萬元。
This technology showdown between BYD and NIO is not only a contest of technical routes, but also a collision of two business ideas. BYD chooses to make breakthroughs on the basis of existing charging infrastructure, give full play to its advantages in vertical integration of the industrial chain, and pursue gradual technological improvement. NIO, on the other hand, is more inclined to reconstruct the entire energy replenishment system, build an open ecosystem, and seek disruptive innovation by establishing differentiated competitive advantages. Both options have their own characteristics and advantages. Flash charging technology is more compatible with existing electric vehicles, and the construction of charging piles is relatively simple, making it easier for users to adapt to their usage habits. The battery swap provides a near-perfect energy replenishment experience, which not only takes a short time, but also eliminates users' concerns about battery attenuation, and may even lower the threshold for car purchase through the vehicle-electricity separation mode.
It is worth noting that these two technical routes are not completely opposed. In the future, we may see the emergence of a hybrid mode of "supercharging + battery swapping", providing differentiated solutions for different usage scenarios. This technological showdown between BYD and NIO not only represents the independent innovation capability of China's new energy vehicle industry in the field of key technologies, but also indicates the possible development direction of the industry in the future. Regardless of which solution wins, consumers will be the ultimate beneficiaries.