BYD launches 1,500kW Flash Chargers in UK and Germany

BYD unveiled its Flash Charging network in the UK on Monday, with chargers delivering up to 1,500kW — about four times current ultrarapid speeds.autocar+1
The company plans to install 300 stations across the UK and 3,000 across Europe by end of 2026, with its first German station also going live this week.electrek+1
BYD is targeting 50p per kWh for its customers, and first Denza Z9GT buyers get 18 months of free charging, according to the company.electrek+1

BYD officially unveiled its Flash Charging network in the UK on Monday, introducing chargers capable of delivering up to 1,500 kilowatts of power — roughly four times faster than the quickest EV chargers currently available in Britain.autocar+1

How It Works

The Flash Charging system can replenish a compatible electric vehicle's battery from 10% to 97% in approximately nine minutes. During a live demonstration at BYD's Uxbridge headquarters, the Denza Z9GT — the first vehicle to support the technology — recharged its 122kWh battery in eight minutes and 58 seconds. BYD's marketing formula is "Ready in 5, Full in 9, Cold Add 3," meaning five minutes gets a driver from 10% to 70%, nine minutes to nearly full, and even at temperatures as low as -30°C, charging takes only three additional minutes.autoexpress+2

The T-shaped charger units use onboard battery energy storage systems rather than drawing power directly from the grid at peak rates. Each station houses two storage batteries capable of harvesting a combined four megawatts, allowing the chargers to operate without expensive transformer upgrades or heavy grid connections. BYD estimates each installation will cost between £500,000 and £1 million.autoexpress+1

UK and European Rollout

BYD plans to deploy 300 Flash Charging stations across the UK by the end of 2026, with 3,000 across Europe as part of a broader global rollout of 6,000 units. The company's first commercial Flash Charging station in Germany also went live this week. In the UK, installations will begin at BYD and Denza retail locations, with the chargers spaced roughly 50 kilometres apart.electrek+3

The network will not be exclusive to BYD owners. Alberto Pareschi, BYD's UK managing director, told Auto Express that regulations require the chargers to be open to all vehicles, though only BYD's latest battery platform can currently exploit the full 1,500kW speed. BYD is targeting a price of 50 pence per kilowatt-hour for its own customers — roughly 30p below prevailing public charging rates. First Denza buyers in the UK will receive 18 months of free Flash Charging.autocar+2

Competitive Context

The launch positions BYD directly against Tesla's Supercharger network, which currently maxes out at around 250kW in the UK. A 10-minute cap per session will apply to all vehicles using the Flash Chargers to ensure turnover. Initially, only the Denza Z9GT can draw the full megawatt-class power, though BYD has indicated future models built on its second-generation Blade Battery platform will also be compatible.t3+1

Sources (15)