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The super-charging revolution is here.
Recent demonstrations by Chinese electric vehicle (EV) giants BYD and CATL of batteries that can be charged in five minutes—up to five times faster than rivals—and with a range of 520 kilometres, has made many sit up and take notice.
Could this super-charging revolution be the game changer that will pave the way for greater EV adoption in Canada, and elsewhere? Equally crucial: can electricity grids handle the increased load demand if this technology were to reach Canadian shores in the next few years?
A game changer?
A five-minute charge has the potential to address two of the top three concerns that consumers often cite when considering EVs: range anxiety and access to public charging stations (the third being affordability). According to a JD Power survey in 2024, 68% of Canadians were anxious about running out of EV battery while on the road.The inconvenience of waiting in line at public charging stations and long charge times—on average 30 minutes—have been an issue for up to half of EV drivers, a survey shows. A five-minute charge battery with extended range tackles these issues head on and entice would-be owners to finally take the EV plunge.
The 3 big grid challenges facing 5-minute charging
Here’s how the quick-charge revolution could impact Canada’s grids:It’s a massive draw on the grid:
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It’s a massive draw on the grid: Unlike traditional charging that’s spread over hours, fast charging delivers high-intensity power spike that grids might not be designed to handle. An average EV with a battery of 80 kWh would require around 1,000 kW power to fully charge in minutes. That’s enough electricity to power 800 homes for the same amount time, and adds significant load to the grid, especially if charging takes place during peak hours.
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Grid expansion is already facing once-in-a-generation challenge. Expanding local distribution networks, modernizing local substations, and improving interconnections to accommodate localized demand surges are the biggest challenges posed by super-charging. Distribution lines will also need to grow by another 55,000-85,000 kilometres by 2030—requiring a build-out that’s 30%-100% faster than the current pace.
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Future-proofing would require a decentralized grid: Fast, localized spikes in demand require more than just expansion of centralized grid assets. They also require the addition of decentralized distributed energy resources (DERs), such as micro-grids and residential solar, and greater grid digitization. Infrastructure modernization can also transform DERs into virtual power plants during periods of peak demand.
Farhad Panahov is an economist with the RBC Climate Action Institute.
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