Chinese automaker BYD says its new megawatt charging platform could eliminate range anxiety and double Tesla’s speed, but how does it work, and what could this mean for UK drivers?

Charges As Quickly As Filling A Petrol Tank

According to Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD, EV charging is about to get a serious upgrade. BYD has just revealed a new fast-charging system that it claims can deliver up to 400km of range in just five minutes, thereby potentially making it as quick to charge an EV as it is to fill a petrol tank. If the technology holds up in real-world use, it could mark a turning point not just for BYD, but for the entire electric vehicle industry.

Twice The Power Of Tesla Superchargers

With charging power reaching a staggering 1,000 kW, twice that of Tesla’s best superchargers, the announcement is already (understandably) rattling the market. For example, shares in BYD jumped 4.1 per cent in response, while Tesla’s stock fell for the second day running. However, the real story lies in the technology behind the hype, and the wider implications for sustainability, infrastructure, and competition in the UK and beyond.

How Does It Actually Work?

Can BYD really charge an EV in five minutes? Technically, yes it seems, although it may not be quite as simple as plugging in and hitting the road.

The key lies in the Han L sedan’s 83.2 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery, paired with a cutting-edge 945-volt electrical system. This high-voltage architecture reduces heat and boosts efficiency, allowing for rapid energy transfer without overheating. For example:

– The LFP chemistry is more thermally stable than the nickel-based alternatives used by many rivals, making it safer and more tolerant of aggressive charging rates.

– BYD’s “Blade Battery 2.0” technology, made by its subsidiary FinDreams, uses a dense, compact structure that enables faster heat dissipation.

– The “dual-gun” system means two 500 kW charging connectors can be used simultaneously, delivering a combined 1,000 kW charging speed, or 1 megawatt.

– This setup allows the car to charge from 16 per cent to 80 per cent in just 10 minutes, and from 16 per cent to 100 per cent in 24 minutes, even in sub-zero temperatures.

Caveat

It should be noted, however, that there’s a caveat. The range claim of 400km in five minutes is based on China’s CLTC cycle, which tends to overstate real-world figures by around 35 per cent. Realistically, UK drivers might see closer to 160 miles from a five-minute top-up. Nonetheless, it’s a massive leap from current norms.

How Does It Rate Against Tesla?

Tesla’s most powerful chargers currently deliver 250-500 kW, depending on the model and version. The latest V4 superchargers, while not widely deployed yet, promise faster speeds, but still fall short of BYD’s new benchmark. For example:

– Tesla’s 500 kW charging adds around 170 miles in 15 minutes.

– BYD’s system adds the same in just 5 minutes.

Charging Station Difference

The key difference is that Tesla’s infrastructure is more mature, with over 65,000 superchargers globally. BYD, meanwhile, has only just announced plans to install 4,000 “flash-charging stations” in China. Rollout elsewhere, including the UK, remains unclear.

However, with BYD now outselling Tesla in battery electric vehicles globally, i.e. 1.77 million units vs. Tesla’s 1.77 million (with a few hundred fewer sales), the race is tightening.

Why This Matters for Sustainability

Beyond the tech buzz, the implications for sustainability are significant. For example, one of the biggest barriers to widespread EV adoption remains “charging anxiety”, i.e. the fear of long wait times and limited charging infrastructure. BYD says its platform directly addresses that concern, because:

– Faster charging means shorter stops and less congestion at public chargers, reducing the energy used in queueing, idling, or rerouting to find available stations.

– LFP batteries, like those used in BYD’s vehicles, avoid the use of cobalt and nickel, which are more resource-intensive to mine and process.

– The ability to handle rapid charging without degradation means batteries could last longer, reducing waste and improving lifecycle emissions.

If BYD can scale this tech internationally, it could accelerate the decarbonisation of road transport – especially in countries like the UK, where EV adoption has so far been hampered by patchy charging infrastructure.

What About The UK Market?

While BYD’s fast-charging system is initially launching in China, its growing presence in the UK could mean British buyers benefit sooner than expected.

Last month, BYD overtook Tesla in UK EV sales for the first time, with year-on-year growth of 500 per cent. Tesla’s UK sales, by contrast, fell by 8 per cent, amid growing unease over Elon Musk’s political involvement in Trump’s US government and the broader downturn in EV sentiment.

If BYD brings the Han L sedan or Tang L SUV (both of which are compatible with the new charging system) to the UK, they could seriously undercut premium rivals. With starting prices around £28,700 in China, even after import costs, these models would compete strongly against higher-priced Teslas and European EVs.

Also, US President Donald Trump’s push for increased tariffs on Chinese imports could unintentionally benefit BYD in European markets. While 100 per cent tariffs currently apply to Chinese EVs entering the US, the UK (like the EU) has so far taken a more moderate stance.

In fact, the EU has launched an anti-subsidy investigation into Chinese EVs, but has stopped short of immediate punitive tariffs. For example, the European Commission says: “The aim is to ensure a level playing field… not to shut out competition, but to ensure that competition is fair.”

For BYD, this opens a window of opportunity to expand its footprint across Europe, especially as Tesla’s share price has slumped, and its product development slowed.

Can the Grid Handle It?

For BYD, there’s one potential spanner in the works, i.e. the charging infrastructure itself. Delivering 1,000 kW of power requires serious hardware and some serious grid capacity. Each charging station would need reinforced grid connections, advanced cooling systems, and high-spec transformers. It’s unlikely to be rolled out in older service stations without significant upgrades. For example, the heat output of megawatt-class EV chargers needs continuous thermal management and some substantial safety measures.

Therefore, for BYD’s system to reach the UK en masse, infrastructure investment will be key. It may also require new standards and regulations, given that most UK fast-charging points currently max out at 150-350 kW.

That said, with the technology now proven, and global EV sales continuing to rise, faster charging is no longer really a fantasy but is the next frontier.

What Does This Mean For Your Organisation?

If BYD can deliver on its promise of five-minute charging at scale, the ripple effects for UK businesses, infrastructure providers, and consumers could be significant. For example, for fleet operators, taxi firms, delivery services and public transport providers, faster charging could translate into less downtime, lower running costs, and improved operational efficiency. It would also allow more flexible scheduling of EV use, making electric fleets a far more attractive option for businesses previously hesitant to commit.

For UK charging infrastructure firms and energy providers, on the one hand, rolling out megawatt-capable charging points will require costly upgrades and forward planning. However, on the other, it opens the door to a new generation of ultra-rapid charging hubs, reshaping service stations and rest stops into high-efficiency EV energy depots. It seems that those who move early may well gain a long-term competitive edge.

For manufacturers and retailers, BYD’s technology ups the ante. Carmakers relying on slower or more conventional charging models may now face mounting pressure to catch up or risk being left behind. At the same time, retailers in the UK who already stock BYD vehicles, or plan to do so, could find themselves with a compelling new selling point that aligns with growing consumer demand for convenience, performance and sustainability.

From a consumer point of view, the shift to faster, safer, and more sustainable battery technology addresses several long-standing concerns in one go. If BYD’s LFP-powered Han L or Tang L models can combine competitive pricing with real-world reliability, the barriers to EV adoption, particularly for those without home chargers, may start to erode far more quickly.

It should be noted, however, that it’s still early days. BYD’s ultra-fast chargers are currently limited to China, and widespread rollout in Europe will depend on regulatory approval, grid capacity, and investment appetite.

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Privacy advocates are calling for Apple’s legal challenge against a secret UK government order to be heard in public, arguing that millions of users’ privacy rights are at stake.

Could Set Precedent

The case, currently set to be conducted behind closed doors, could set a major precedent for the future of encryption and government surveillance.

Why Apple is Fighting the UK Government

At the heart of the issue is Apple’s Advanced Data Protection (ADP) feature, which the company recently withdrew from the UK market after refusing to comply with a government order to provide access (back doors) to encrypted user data. The feature, launched in 2022, offered end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for iCloud backups, photos, and notes, ensuring that only users could access their stored data. Even Apple itself could not decrypt this information, a security measure the company insists is critical to protecting user privacy.

However, the UK government issued a Technical Capability Notice (TCN) under the Investigatory Powers Act 2016 (IPA), compelling Apple to create a mechanism (the ‘back door’ idea) that would allow law enforcement agencies to access encrypted user data when required. Apple refused and instead removed the feature entirely for UK users. While the company has not publicly detailed the exact reasoning, it is widely understood that Apple believes complying with the order would create a security back door, compromising user privacy not just in the UK but globally.

Legal Challenge

Consequently, Apple has now launched a legal challenge against the order, arguing that it is unlawful. But the proceedings are set to take place behind closed doors, prompting major privacy rights groups to intervene and call for transparency.

Why Rights Groups Are Demanding a Public Hearing

Three major privacy advocacy organisations, Open Rights Group, Big Brother Watch, and Index on Censorship, have now written a joint letter to the Investigatory Powers Tribunal (IPT), urging it to open the hearing to public scrutiny rather than conducting it behind closed doors. Their main argument is that millions of users in the UK, as well as international Apple customers, are affected by the case, and they have a right to know how their data security might be compromised.

For example, the letter, addressed to Lord Justice Singh, President of the IPT, states:

“This case implicates the privacy rights of millions of British citizens who use Apple’s technology, as well as Apple’s international users. There is significant public interest in knowing when and on what basis the UK government believes that it can compel a private company to undermine the privacy and security of its customers.”

The rights groups argue that the Investigatory Powers Tribunal has a duty to hold hearings in public unless there is a compelling reason not to, such as a direct threat to national security. In this case, they say, there is no justification for secrecy, as the existence of the TCN has already been widely reported, and Apple has already reacted by withdrawing its encryption service in the UK.

The Legal Battle Over Encryption

The case has sparked fresh debate about encryption and its role in privacy versus law enforcement. Apple has consistently maintained that any back door created for law enforcement could be exploited by hackers and authoritarian regimes, ultimately making data less secure for everyone.

This argument is actually supported by many cybersecurity experts, who warn that once encryption is weakened for one purpose, it cannot be limited to just government use. Criminals, rogue states, and malicious actors could also exploit the vulnerability.

The UK government, however, insists that access to encrypted data is necessary in cases involving national security threats, terrorism, and child abuse investigations. Under the Investigatory Powers Act, companies can be compelled to provide access to data when law enforcement agencies make a valid request. The government claims that Apple’s refusal to comply could hinder criminal investigations.

Could Other Governments Follow the UK’s Lead?

One of the most concerning aspects of the UK’s demand is its potential global impact. For example, if Apple is forced to create a back door for UK law enforcement, this would set a precedent for other countries to demand similar access. This could include authoritarian regimes that might use such powers to suppress political dissidents, journalists, or activists.

Privacy advocates, therefore, argue that weakening encryption in one country may fundamentally undermine encryption everywhere. Once a vulnerability exists, it can be exploited by malicious actors globally. This is why Apple, and other tech companies, have resisted such demands in the past.

For example, in 2016, Apple famously refused to help the FBI unlock an iPhone used by a terrorist in the San Bernardino attack, arguing that doing so would compromise the security of all iPhone users. The FBI eventually paid a third party to crack the device, but the case set an important precedent for tech companies standing firm against government pressure.

Pressure from the US and Other Stakeholders

The UK is not the only place where the case has raised alarms. A group of US politicians, including Senators Ron Wyden and Alex Padilla, has also called on the IPT to hold the hearing in public. In a separate letter, they warned that the UK’s actions could have major security implications for users globally and could lead to a wider erosion of privacy rights.

The BBC has also weighed in, arguing that it should be allowed to report on the hearing given its widespread implications. As media and privacy groups continue to demand openness, the IPT will now have to decide whether to stick with a closed-door approach or allow public scrutiny.

What Does This Mean For Your Business?

The outcome of this case could have significant implications not only for Apple but for the wider technology industry and UK businesses that rely on secure communications. If the Investigatory Powers Tribunal rules in favour of the UK government, it may force tech firms to reconsider their encryption policies, making it more difficult to guarantee data privacy. This could erode trust in cloud storage and digital services, potentially impacting businesses that rely on these technologies to store sensitive corporate information securely.

On the other hand, if Apple prevails, it would send a strong message in defence of encryption, reinforcing the argument that companies should not be required to create vulnerabilities in their own security measures. Such a ruling could also influence similar debates worldwide, particularly as other governments look at introducing legislation that could force tech firms to weaken encryption.

For UK businesses, this legal battle highlights the growing tension between regulatory compliance and cybersecurity. Many companies depend on strong encryption to safeguard intellectual property, financial transactions, and customer data. If the UK government’s position on encryption tightens, firms may need to rethink how they handle data protection and cybersecurity risks.

More broadly, this case highlights deeper concerns about the balance between privacy and national security. For example, governments argue that access to encrypted data is essential for law enforcement, but privacy advocates warn that weakening encryption could expose users to greater risks. The push for transparency in Apple’s legal battle reflects a wider demand for accountability in government surveillance and policymaking.

As the tribunal prepares to make its decision, attention will remain fixed on the potential ramifications for digital privacy. Whether the hearing remains private or is opened to public scrutiny, the ruling will set an important precedent, shaping how governments and tech companies navigate encryption debates in the future. For now, UK users of Apple’s iCloud storage remain without Advanced Data Protection, and the outcome of this case will determine whether they ever get it back.

In this Tech Insight, we look at how Manus, China’s latest AI agent, is redefining autonomous AI applications, its connection to Browser Use, and whether this signals a new shift in search engine optimisation (SEO) and business strategy.

Agentic Applications

It seems that AI is no longer just about answering questions or generating text, but is also now executing complex tasks with minimal human intervention. Enter agentic applications, a new breed of AI designed to act on behalf of users, making decisions and performing actions autonomously. These agents can book flights, manage projects, analyse data, and even interact with software, the kinds of tasks that previously required direct human involvement.

Manus is one of the most ambitious examples of this emerging technology. Unlike a chatbot, which passively waits for input, an AI agent like Manus actively seeks out solutions, using multiple tools and web services to accomplish goals with minimal guidance.

China’s ‘Manus’ AI Agent

Manus was launched on 6 March this year and has already been dubbed the world’s first general-purpose AI agent. It was created by Monica, a Chinese AI startup backed by major investors including Tencent and Sequoia Capital China. Initially developed as an AI-powered browser plugin, Manus has since evolved into a fully autonomous digital assistant.

Its capabilities go beyond those of traditional AI chatbots. For example, instead of simply retrieving information, Manus also acts on it. Users have reported that Manus can handle complex tasks such as rebooking flights, summarising legal documents, and even conducting independent research. Manus has reportedly outperformed OpenAI’s Deep Research and Anthropic’s Operator in benchmark tests, proving its ability to operate autonomously with high accuracy.

Exclusive

Manus has become so exclusive that its beta access invite codes are selling for up to £11,000 on resale platforms. While it is still in its early stages, its performance has already sparked a global conversation about the future of AI agents.

Manus CEO Xiao Hong has been open about the vision behind the product, stating: “[Manus] isn’t just another chatbot or workflow. It’s a completely autonomous agent that bridges the gap between conception and execution. We see it as the next paradigm of human-machine collaboration.”

Manus is, therefore, positioning itself not just as another AI tool but as a shift in how AI can integrate with daily life.

How ‘Browser Use’ Powers Manus

Manus wouldn’t be as powerful without Browser Use, a tool that enables AI to navigate the web more effectively. Developed by a Swiss startup, Browser Use allows AI agents to click on elements, extract data, and interact with web applications just like a human would.

After Manus’s launch, Browser Use downloads surged from 5,000 per day to 28,000 in a matter of days. This is because Manus relies on it to function smoothly, automating interactions with websites in a way that traditional AI assistants cannot.

For example, Browser Use enables AI to:

– Extract and analyse web content by understanding HTML and visual elements.

– Automate web navigation for tasks such as online shopping, booking reservations, and filling out forms.

– Manage multiple tabs and run complex workflows in real-time.

This kind of web automation is now opening new doors for AI, but it also raises questions about how businesses optimise their websites for AI interaction.

A New Kind of SEO?

With AI agents like Manus autonomously browsing and interacting with websites, it may be the case that businesses need to rethink their SEO strategies. For example, traditional SEO focuses on optimising content for human users and search engine algorithms, but what happens when AI agents become the primary visitors to a site?

Some experts believe we are entering an era of AI-first optimisation, where companies must ensure their websites are structured in a way that AI agents can easily interpret. This could involve:

– Making sites more AI-readable, with clear data structuring and interactive elements.

– Optimising for AI decision-making, ensuring product information and services are easily accessible for automated interactions.

– Reducing friction in transactions, making it easier for AI agents to complete bookings, purchases, and other actions.

The implications for businesses are vast. For example, if AI agents start making decisions on behalf of users, such as booking the best-rated hotels or purchasing products based on past behaviour, companies will need to focus on making their offerings AI-friendly to remain competitive.

New Challenges (and Opportunities) For Businesses

All this means that for companies looking to stay ahead, the rise of AI agents like Manus presents both challenges and opportunities. These could include, for example:

– Automation at scale. Businesses could now use AI agents to streamline customer support, market research, and administrative tasks.

– AI-powered personalisation. With AI making decisions on behalf of users, companies will need to ensure their products and services stand out in AI-driven recommendations.

– New compliance and security concerns. As AI agents navigate sensitive information, data privacy laws and security measures may need to evolve.

While Manus and Browser Use are still in their early days, their rapid rise suggests that agentic applications could become mainstream far sooner than expected. This means that businesses that start preparing for an AI-driven future now may be best positioned to capitalise on this shift.

What Does This Mean For Your Business?

As AI agents begin to reshape online interactions, UK businesses may need to seriously consider the implications of this technology. From retail and finance to customer service and logistics, companies need to adapt their digital presence to accommodate AI-driven decision-making.

For UK-based e-commerce platforms, ensuring products and services are easily discoverable by AI agents looks likely to be critical. AI-optimised listings and seamless purchase experiences will determine whether an AI agent selects a business over a competitor. In financial services, AI agents could automate complex client interactions, helping with portfolio management, compliance, and fraud detection.

However, concerns about data privacy and regulation remain. The UK’s AI Safety Summit in 2023 signalled a commitment to ensuring AI development aligns with ethical standards, and companies leveraging AI agents must be mindful of GDPR compliance and transparency in AI-driven decision-making.

The bottom line here is that UK businesses may now need to start exploring AI-readiness strategies, not just for SEO, but for operations, security, and customer engagement. Those who embrace AI-driven automation early may stand to gain a competitive advantage in what looks likely to become an increasingly autonomous digital landscape.

IPv4.Global, the world’s largest marketplace for IPv4 addresses, has launched a loan programme that allows businesses to use their IPv4 addresses as collateral.

A New Way To Get Funding

This new initiative gives companies access to funding while still retaining full use of their IP assets, responding to the strong ongoing demand for IPv4 despite the slow transition to IPv6.

Who is IPv4.Global?

IPv4.Global is the largest and most transparent marketplace for IPv4 addresses, i.e. the unique numerical identifiers assigned to devices on a network, allowing them to communicate over the internet. The company facilitates the buying, selling, leasing and now the lending of these assets. A division of Hilco Streambank, IPv4.Global has completed more transactions in this space than any other provider, having brokered the sale of over 55 million addresses. With a reputation for credibility and efficiency, it has become the go-to platform for organisations looking to monetise their IPv4 holdings.

How the Loan Programme Works

The idea of using IPv4 addresses as financial instruments is not entirely new. For example, network operator Cogent previously issued $206 million worth of debt notes backed by its IPv4 assets. However, IPv4.Global has gone a step further by offering loans directly secured by these addresses.

Under the new scheme, businesses can leverage their IPv4 holdings to access loans while still retaining full use of their addresses. This differs from previous models that used lease revenues as security, as the addresses themselves now serve as collateral.

Lee Howard, Senior Vice President of IPv4.Global, highlighted the unique nature of the initiative, saying: “We just successfully implemented our lending programme for a data centre operator so they can grow their cloud business, making us the first and only company lending against IPv4 addresses today.”

The programme does not have a strict minimum or maximum address requirement, with each loan’s terms tailored to the borrower’s financial standing and balance sheet. However, Howard has noted that a key consideration is how quickly the market could absorb the addresses in case of default, meaning larger loans may require more structured risk assessments.

Why This Matters

Despite the slow transition to IPv6 (a newer protocol designed to replace IPv4 with a vastly larger address pool), demand for IPv4 addresses remains strong, driving their market value upwards. AWS, for example, rents public IPv4 addresses for $43.80 per year, and recent transactions have seen them sell for around $30 per address.

By allowing businesses to use these digital assets as collateral, IPv4.Global is effectively unlocking a new source of liquidity for organisations in need of working capital. This is particularly useful for companies in cloud computing, data centre operations, and telecoms, where maintaining access to IPv4 resources is crucial for day-to-day operations.

The Key Benefits of IPv4-Based Loans

Some of the key benefits of IPv4-based loans include:

– Immediate access to capital. Companies can leverage their IPv4 holdings for financial flexibility without selling them outright.

– Retained operational control. Unlike asset sales, using IPv4 addresses as collateral allows businesses to keep them in use.

– It’s a new financing avenue. Many commercial lenders do not consider IPv4 holdings in loan assessments, making this a unique funding opportunity.

– Support for growth. Businesses needing capital to expand, particularly in cloud and hosting sectors, can now do so without disrupting operations.

Challenges and Potential Risks

While the benefits are clear, using IPv4 addresses as collateral is not without its risks. For example, these include:

Market fluctuations. The value of IPv4 addresses depends on supply and demand, which could shift as more organisations adopt IPv6.

The risk of default. If a borrower fails to repay their loan, they could lose control over vital IPv4 assets, potentially affecting their network operations.

Regulatory concerns. As IPv4 addresses take on greater financial significance, they could attract new regulatory scrutiny, particularly in markets with evolving digital asset laws.

What Does This Mean For Your Business?

By providing businesses with an alternative means of securing capital without relinquishing operational control, IPv4.Global’s move (to accept IPv4 addresses as loan collateral) opens up new financial opportunities, particularly for organisations in sectors such as cloud computing, data centre management, and telecoms, where IPv4 addresses remain an essential resource.

For UK businesses, this could offer a novel way to raise funds while preserving critical network infrastructure. Many companies still rely on IPv4 addresses for their digital operations, and with limited availability continuing to drive market prices higher, leveraging these assets for financing could be a practical solution for those looking to scale without selling off key resources. At the same time, lenders entering this space may see potential in offering similar financing models, although risk management will be crucial given the uncertainty surrounding long-term IPv4 valuations.

For other stakeholders, including investors and policymakers, this development highlights the growing financialisation of internet infrastructure. While it demonstrates the enduring demand for IPv4 and its potential as a financial instrument, it also raises questions about market stability, regulatory oversight, and the eventual transition to IPv6. If IPv4 addresses continue to be treated as high-value assets, the shift to IPv6 could be further delayed, creating ongoing complexities for businesses and regulators alike.

It seems, therefore, that IPv4.Global’s initiative reinforces the idea that digital assets are becoming increasingly intertwined with traditional financial mechanisms. Whether this approach gains widespread adoption remains to be seen, but for now, it offers a fresh avenue for businesses seeking capital while demonstrating the lasting relevance of IPv4 in a changing technological landscape.