Chinese electric vehicle (EV) giant BYD has taken the charge out of charging, literally. Its new Flash Chargers can now top up some EV batteries from 10% to 70% in just five minutes and from 10% to full in nine—a feat that rivals filling up a gas tank.

To achieve these jaw-dropping speeds, BYD’s chargers can dish out an astounding 1,500 kilowatts (kW) per charge. Compare that to the usual 350 kW “hyper-fast” chargers found in the U.S., which take a good half-hour to fill up to 80% and fully top off at around 40 minutes.

BYD’s move brings the charging experience closer to what drivers are used to with gas tanks. However, not everyone is convinced that this technology will change daily life for most EV owners. Gil Tal from UC Davis’ Institute of Transportation Studies notes it's a marginal improvement. For those who only use public fast-chargers on rare occasions—say, when stretching their 250-mile range—a five-minute difference might not matter much.

There’s also the practical hurdle of electricity grid limitations. Even if such rapid charging tech could be deployed in the U.S., it would require significant investment and coordination to handle the increased load. The system would need new “pipes” – grid capacity — to actually move that much current.

In fact, super-fast charging stations exist but are configured for heavy-duty trucks carrying large loads over long distances. This suggests that while fast-charging tech might sway some on-the-fence drivers, it’s not yet a mainstream solution.

As China and Europe continue to race ahead in EV infrastructure, the US seems to be trailing behind, with automakers like Honda canceling upcoming EVs and others pausing their electric vehicle programs. The future of EVs is uncertain without significant support from governments and policies that encourage zero-emission car sales.