This new BYD Flash charger can see charging from 10-70% capacity take just five minutes.
One of the biggest criticisms of EV ownership remains the time it takes to recharge, with even the fastest chargers still requiring considerably longer than the quick splash-and-dash stop achievable with an ICE vehicle. Though that argument may soon become much harder to make, as BYD has officially begun rolling out its new 1,500 kW ultra-fast Flash charging network in the UK.
Fresh from its European debut in Germany last week, and following its launch in China earlier this year, the Flash charger is BYD’s self-developed answer to Tesla’s Supercharger network… albeit with nearly three times the peak charging power.
And that translates to some rather impressive numbers. BYD claims a Flash charger can replenish the battery in a Denza Z9 GT from 10% to 70% in just five minutes, before reaching 97% charge only four minutes later. More impressive still, the automaker is claiming that even in extremely cold temperatures of up to -30°C, the charging process would take only around three minutes longer.
What is more, BYD’s system is designed to be not only quicker, but potentially cheaper too. The Flash chargers draw power from large battery storage systems that are charged overnight during off-peak electricity hours, helping to reduce operating costs. According to the automaker’s UK head Bono Ge, “in the ideal situation, we want to be sub-50 pence per kWh”, which would see Flash chargers dramatically undercut many of the UK’s current rapid charging providers.
And while on the topic of other rapid charging providers, BYD is aiming to rival Tesla when it comes to network expansion. The Chinese automaker plans to install 300 ultra-rapid 1,500 kW chargers across the UK by the end of next year, with around 3,000 units slated for deployment throughout Europe by 2027.
BYD says this aggressive rollout, focused primarily on motorways and high-traffic locations, should eventually result in a Flash charger being available roughly every 50 km. For context, Tesla currently operates around 20,000 Superchargers across Europe, spread across approximately 1,500 sites.
Getting back to that headline charging speed those one minor caveat to these astonishing figure. While Flash chargers are compatible with any EV equipped with a standard CCS charging port, the headline 1,500 kW output can only be achieved by certain BYD-developed vehicles featuring dual charging ports. The first such model for Europe will be the aforementioned Denza Z9 GT shooting brake, which is due to arrive locally this September.
Future additions to the European Denza range, including the B5 SUV and D9 MPV, will also support Flash charging thanks to BYD’s second-generation Blade Battery technology. There is however no word yet on when exactly this capability might trickle down to the mainstream BYD lineup, though those wanting to pinch some pennies could at least take advantage of the current offer that sees the UK’s first Denza customers receive 18 months of complimentary Flash charging.
Beyond working with established charging operators, BYD is also reportedly in discussions with various supermarket chains about installing Flash chargers in their car parks. The company further claims that between 30 and 40 of its UK dealerships already have the necessary grid connections in place, with planning approval processes now underway.
Finally, as for any chances of this technology making its way to Malaysia, there is currently no official word from BYD just yet. And given the Chinese automaker’s ongoing brouhaha with local authorities, there may not be much appetite at the moment to prioritise our market for its latest charging innovations.
Having said that, the vehicle capable of taking full advantage of these charging speeds will nevertheless be arriving on our shores soon enough. The Denza Z9 GT has already been confirmed for an imminent Malaysian launch, joining the D9 luxury MPV and the recently introduced B8 PHEV SUV.
