Japanese cars are undoubtedly game over. It’s sad, but it’s reality. The key is to leapfrog while there’s still strength left—“A wise person can find opportunities anywhere.” Otherwise, will they just fade into oblivion while screaming, “Multi-pass way~” as they head straight for doom?
Moreover, the electric vehicle "AFEELA 1" announced by Sony Honda Mobility (SHM) is so underwhelming in performance and overpriced that it’s almost tragic. With the following specs, they won’t sell unless they cut the price to one-third.
AFEELA 1 Specifications:
Motor Output: 180 kW (approx. 245 hp) front and rear, totaling around 490 hp in an all-wheel drive (4WD) system.
Battery Capacity: 91 kWh lithium-ion battery.
Range: Developed with a target of up to 300 miles (approx. 483 km).
Charging Performance: DC fast charging up to 150 kW, AC normal charging up to 11 kW.
Price & Release Date:
U.S. price: "AFEELA 1 Origin" starts at $89,900 (approx. 14.2 million yen).
"AFEELA 1 Signature" starts at $102,900 (approx. 16.3 million yen).
Expected Japan delivery: 2026.
On March 25, 2025, the Nikkei newspaper ran a front-page article that completely missed the point. It stated that power semiconductor manufacturers are beginning layoffs because BEV adoption is slower than expected. But this is incorrect. The real issue is simple: old manufacturers' power semiconductor products aren’t being chosen because their cost-performance ratio is terrible—the same downfall that once happened to Japan’s semiconductor industry is now happening in power semiconductors.
Meanwhile, growing new economy manufacturers like Tesla, BYD, Huawei, and Xiaomi are producing high-performance power semiconductors in-house.
The Reality of Solid-State Batteries
Idemitsu Kosan and Toyota have teamed up to develop solid-state batteries, but when I listened to a YouTube talk by Idemitsu’s chief scientist and development leader on March 25, 2025, they were discussing concepts that China had already been working on three years ago.
While Idemitsu aims to commercialize its solid-state battery by 2027, Chinese companies have already surpassed its expected performance using conventional liquid lithium batteries, and they’re already on the market. What’s more, they’re doing it with LFP batteries that are far cheaper than the predicted price of solid-state batteries.
Marketability Over Performance
No matter how high-performance a product is, if it’s not cost-effective, it won’t become mainstream.
The faster charging speeds become, the smaller battery capacities need to be.
People can’t tolerate sitting in a cramped BEV for more than two hours—if a 2–3 minute restroom break allows for a 300 km charge, then small batteries will suffice.
Achieving this requires expanding en-route charging infrastructure and enhancing wireless charging.
The fundamental solution to BEVs’ biggest flaw—heavy batteries—lies here.
BYD’s Revolutionary Solution
A. Next-Generation EV Platform
On March 17, 2025, BYD unveiled its Super e-Platform, achieving ultra-high performance and cost reduction by making BEV charging as fast as refueling gasoline.
1000V system enabling 1MW ultra-fast charging.
High-performance motor with over 30,000 RPM.
Initial Models & Prices:
BYD Han L (Midsize Luxury Sedan): 270,000–350,000 yuan (approx. 5.57–7.23 million yen).
BYD Tang L (Large SUV): 280,000–360,000 yuan (approx. 5.78–7.43 million yen).
B. Key Features of the 1000V System:
Charging performance vastly improved, supporting up to 1500V.
SOC 10% → 80% charge completed in 5 minutes (~2 km of range gained per second).
BYD manufactures its own 1000V SiC power semiconductors, sensors, and radars, cutting costs and improving mass production efficiency.
C. Evolution of LFP Blade Batteries:
Internal resistance reduced by 50%, improving charge/discharge performance.
Self-repairing SEI film, increasing battery lifespan by 35%.
Cooling enhanced by 90% via dual-sided refrigerant cooling.
Charging performance comparison:
BYD Han L: SOC 5% → 63.1% charge in 5 minutes.
Charging power: Up to 1000kW (1MW).
Charging recovery rates:
2 minutes = 200 km.
3 minutes = 300 km.
5 minutes = 400 km.
6 minutes = 500 km.
D. Expansion of Ultra-Fast Charging Network:
BYD’s new charging stations:
Single stall output of 1360 kW.
4,000 locations planned across China.
Liquid-cooled charging cables developed in-house.
Competitor comparison:
XPeng: Max 530 kW.
Zeekr: Max 450 kW.
NIO, Li Auto, Xiaomi: 600 kW-class.
Japan still lags at 50–90 kW (some at 150 kW, Tesla at 250 kW).
E. Adoption of Ultra-High Performance Motors:
Motor peak speed: 30,511 RPM (highest in mass production vehicles).
Power density: 16.4 kW/kg (2.6× that of Tesla Model S Plaid).
Max output: 580 kW (773 hp) with a 35 kg motor.
Comparison:
Tesla Model 3 RWD motor: ~70 kg (180 kW class).
Nissan Ariya: ~60–70 kg (130 kW class).
Toyota bZ4X motor: ~60–75 kg (150 kW class).
Old economy manufacturers’ motors are ~6.6–8× heavier than BYD’s.
F. Future of EV Market & MaaS:
AI integration, autonomous driving, and next-gen battery technology.
Efficiency in powertrain (E-axle) & simple manufacturing processes.
Cost reduction: Winning EVs will cost half of current ICE cars (mass-market) or one-third (luxury).
The Harsh Reality for Japanese Automakers
The performance gap between BYD and Japan’s 8 automakers has widened over 6 times.
Even if Japan succeeds in commercializing solid-state batteries, it may already be too late to catch up.
This is supported by data from Nikkei's March 25, 2025, article on page 17.
Do you have the right mindset to judge reality correctly? Are you blinded by the “Japan is the best” bias like people 85 years ago?