BYD's new EV flash chargers are as fast as petrol pumps – here's when they're arriving in the UK
BYD isn't content with its EVs outselling Tesla, now it wants to take on the American electric car giant's Supercharger charging network with an even faster network of BYD megawatt super-fast chargers.
Tesla's Supercharger network is one of the biggest reasons to buy a Tesla, thanks to exclusive use of the charging points for Tesla owners at some locations and the ease with which they work with Tesla models – they recognise the car and automatically bill the owner. There are currently over 60,000 Tesla Superchargers across the world, with the latest units able to add up to 200 miles of range in just 15 minutes at speeds up to 250kW.
BYD announced earlier this year that it has developed its own super-fast charger, called a Flash Charger, that can charge EVs at up to 1MW (1,000kW). BYD says a Flash Charger can add 1.2 miles of charge every second and up to 249 miles-worth of charge in just five minutes, equalling the speed at which petrol cars are able to fill up.
Speaking exclusively to The Independent at the launch of the new budget BYD Dolphin Surf electric car in London, BYD Special Advisor Alfredo Altavilla revealed that the first of these so-called Flash Chargers will be coming to the UK next year, while also saying that BYD was aiming to rival Tesla's Supercharger network.
When asked when we will see the first Flash Charger in the UK, Altavilla said: 'In 2026. You will get a few stations in every country in Europe. They will be branded BYD, but they will be open to everybody.'
Unlike Tesla Superchargers, Flash Chargers will be open to owners of any electric car. However, the fastest charging speeds will be unique to cars with the technology to accept megawatt charging. BYD's latest car tech, its Super e-Platform, features a 1,000V high-voltage architecture with a Flash Charging Battery. It will be available first in BYD's Han L and Tang L models that can now be ordered in China.
In Europe and the UK the new Flash Charging Battery could debut in a new model from Denza, BYD's Porsche -rivalling upmarket brand. Altavilla told us that Denza models would debut BYD's latest tech across Europe, along with sports cars and SUVs from BYD's luxury brand Yangwang.
'The idea is for Denza and Yangwang to be the so-called technology manifesto of the BYD group,' said Altavilla. 'Those are the two brands where all new technologies will be firstly introduced. So, the flash charging for example.'
Altavilla confirmed that the first Denza model, the Z9 GT saloon, will go on sale in the UK 'at the beginning of 2026.' The Z9 GT would be followed by an MPV, the D9, and then a number of SUVs. Denza models are likely to be sold through a unique network of dealers, or with existing BYD partners where those dealers had experience of selling premium models.
Following the announcement of its Flash Chargers, BYD has been contacted by companies wanting to work on the technology with them and to help them build a network of super-fast chargers.
'The minute we made this public, we, and specifically I, started getting dozens of calls from all the companies in the space that want to become our partner in doing this together,' said Altavilla. 'To the extent that if we find the right partner, we'll do it with them. Otherwise, we'll do it on our own.'
Altavilla was speaking at the launch of the new BYD Dolphin Surf in London, the brand's sixth new model to go on sale in a little over two years and also it's cheapest, starting at just £18,650.
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