Nyobolt, a burgeoning British start-up in the electric vehicle (EV) sector, has revealed a new sports car that sets a world-class benchmark for charging times. The company claims its latest battery-electric sports car can recharge from 10 to 80 per cent in just 4 minutes and 37 seconds using a 350kW DC charger. This rapid charging time marks a significant advancement in EV technology, potentially transforming the landscape of electric vehicle performance and convenience.
Nyobolt’s innovative battery system, developed in Cambridge, boasts not only quick recharge capabilities but also impressive durability. The batteries are designed to withstand 4000 full fast-charge cycles, which is roughly equivalent to 600,000 miles (966,000 kilometres) of driving while retaining 80 per cent of their original capacity. This durability far surpasses current battery technologies on the market.
However, the prototype sports car, styled as a fully electric alternative to the Porsche 718 Cayman, is equipped with a relatively small 35kWh battery, offering an estimated WLTP range of only 250 kilometres. Consequently, the rapid 10 to 80 per cent recharge only extends the vehicle’s range by approximately 200 kilometres.
For comparison, the 2025 Lotus Emeya, fitted with a considerable 102kWh battery, requires 14 minutes to charge from 10 to 80 per cent using a 400kW charger, adding over 427 kilometres of range. This comparison suggests that other vehicles with larger batteries could potentially approach Nyobolt’s sub-five-minute recharge time if scaled down to similar ranges.
The Nyobolt sports car prototype was designed in collaboration with renowned designer Ian Callum, former head of design at Jaguar. Despite this prestigious partnership, the vehicle is not scheduled for full-scale mass production. Instead, it is engineered for low-volume production aimed at both road and track enthusiasts.
Nyobolt envisions its smaller, faster-charging battery technology being widely adopted, advocating for the use of more compact power packs that consequently allow for downsized electric motors and inverters. This approach not only saves weight but also enhances overall vehicle efficiency. Nyobolt’s prototype sports car weighs a mere 1250 kilograms, making it 115 kilograms lighter than the basic combustion-powered Porsche 718 Cayman with a 2.0-litre turbo flat-six engine.
Nyobolt is currently in discussions with eight different car manufacturers to license its advanced battery technology. Prior to any automotive applications, these batteries are slated for deployment in the robotics sector later this year. The company plans to produce an initial batch of 1000 battery packs in 2025, with the potential to scale up production to over two million units annually.
Shane Davies, Nyobolt’s Director of Vehicle Battery Systems, commented, “Our Nyobolt EV demonstrates the efficiency gains facilitated by our fast-charging, longer-life battery technology, enabling capacity to be right-sized while still delivering the required performance. Nyobolt is removing the obstacle of slow and inconvenient charging, making electrification appealing and accessible to those who don’t have the time for lengthy charging times or space for a home charger.”
Nyobolt’s breakthrough offers a promising glimpse into the future of electric vehicles, where fast charging and extended battery life could make EVs more practical and attractive for a broader audience.
