Electric vehicles are revolutionizing transportation, but understanding their charging capabilities can sometimes be confusing. For BYD Seal owners in Australia, one particular limitation has become a topic of discussion: despite having access to 22kW three-phase charging infrastructure, the vehicle can only draw 7kW regardless of the available power.
Understanding the Charging Limitation
When it comes to AC charging, the BYD Seal has an onboard charger that’s limited to 7kW on single-phase power. What’s surprising to many owners is that even when connected to a three-phase charger (capable of delivering up to 22kW), the vehicle still only draws 7kW from a single phase, not utilizing the full capacity available.
This means that regardless of whether you’re using a standard single-phase home charger or a more powerful three-phase charging station, your BYD Seal will charge at the same rate – approximately 7kW.
The Technical Explanation
Three-phase power consists of three separate AC currents that are offset in their cycles. Many European and higher-end EVs can utilize all three phases simultaneously to achieve faster charging speeds (typically up to 11kW or 22kW).
However, the BYD Seal’s onboard charger is designed to use only a single phase at a time. So even when connected to a three-phase outlet or charging station, it will only draw power from one of the three available phases, limiting the charging rate to 7kW.
What This Means for Charging Times
With a battery capacity of approximately 82kWh in the BYD Seal, charging from 10% to 80% at 7kW would take roughly 8 hours. By comparison, a vehicle capable of utilizing the full 22kW from a three-phase charger could theoretically complete the same charge in about 2.5 hours.
3-Pin vs. 5-Pin Plugs
Some BYD Seal owners have asked about the difference between 3-pin and 5-pin plugs for three-phase charging. The distinction is important:
- A 3-pin three-phase plug typically includes three active phases but lacks a neutral line
- A 5-pin plug includes three phases, a neutral, and an earth connection
For the BYD Seal, either connection will result in the same 7kW charging rate since the vehicle only utilizes a single phase regardless of the connection type.
Is This a Deal-Breaker?
Whether this limitation matters depends on your charging habits:
- For overnight home charging, 7kW is typically sufficient to fully charge your vehicle
- For quick top-ups during the day, this limitation means you won’t benefit from the faster charging that other EVs might achieve at three-phase stations
- DC fast charging is unaffected by this limitation and remains the best option for rapid charging during long trips
The Future of BYD Charging
As BYD continues to expand its presence in the Australian market, future models may offer enhanced AC charging capabilities. However, for current Seal owners, understanding this limitation is important for planning charging strategies.
For those considering a BYD Seal purchase, the 7kW AC charging limitation is worth factoring into your decision, especially if you intended to rely heavily on three-phase AC charging stations.