Recently, BYD launched its first Flash Charging ultrafast charging stations outside China, with the initial sites located in Europe and the UK. This technology allows electric vehicles to charge almost as quickly as traditional gasoline refueling.

According to BYD, the Flash Charging system boasts a maximum power output of 1,5 MW (1.500 kW), significantly higher than Tesla's Supercharger V4 network, which currently reaches about 500 kW. Notably, BYD's chargers incorporate an on-site energy storage battery system. These battery packs are charged from the grid during off-peak hours, which helps reduce operational costs and alleviates pressure on the power system.

Denza Z9 GT at BYD's Flash Charger station. *Photo: Denza*

Currently, any electric vehicle using the CCS charging standard can connect to a Flash Charging station. However, only models equipped with BYD's new generation Blade battery can fully utilize the 1,5 MW charging capacity. The first vehicle supporting this technology in Europe is the Denza Z9 GT, a premium model from BYD's Denza brand. The car is available for pre-order in Europe with a starting price of 134.500 USD.

Stella Li, executive vice president of BYD, stated that bringing the Denza Z9 GT to Europe marks a significant milestone in the company's globalization process. She emphasized the philosophy, "Ready in 5, Full in 9, Cold Add 3" (ready to continue after 5 minutes, nearly full charge in 9 minutes, and only 3 additional minutes of charging in cold weather conditions).

According to BYD's announcement, vehicles utilizing the new battery technology can charge from 10% to 70% in approximately 5 minutes, or from 10% to 97% in just 9 minutes. Even in extremely low temperatures (-30°C), charging time only extends by a few minutes.

BYD aims to deploy approximately 3.000 Flash Charging stations in Europe by 2027, while also building a total of 6.000 stations outside China within the next 12 months. The company also plans to expand partnerships with supermarkets and retailers to install chargers in public parking lots. Observers suggest that BYD's ultrafast charging technology could become a formidable competitor to Tesla in the global electric vehicle charging infrastructure race, especially if investment costs are more competitive than the current Supercharger network.

Ho Tan (according to Electrek)