BYD to Launch Ultra-Fast EV Charging Network in the UK

Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer BYD is set to introduce a network of ultra-fast charging stations in the United Kingdom, with plans to install 300 "flash chargers" by the end of 2024 and expand to 600 by 2027. These chargers are designed to significantly reduce EV charging times, bringing them closer to the speed of refueling a conventional petrol car.

The new chargers will deliver a staggering 1.5 MW of power, which is approximately 10 times the output of current rapid chargers commonly used by EVs. This substantial power delivery is intended to allow compatible electric vehicles to charge as quickly as their batteries can safely handle. While any EV with a standard CCS connection can utilize the chargers, BYD notes that its proprietary software and new Blade Battery 2.0 technology will be necessary to achieve the maximum charging speeds.

BYD announced these plans at an event in London, signaling an ambitious expansion strategy in the UK market, where it already holds a seven percent market share. The company aims to accelerate the transition of petrol and diesel car owners to EVs by lowering new EV prices and improving charging infrastructure. The "flash chargers" are described as being at least four times faster than existing options in Britain, with the goal of making EV charging as convenient as filling a tank with fuel.

"This will be a game-changer," said Stella Li, executive vice-president of BYD, in comments to The Times. "Nobody has time to wait for 30 minutes or – sometimes in the winter – almost one hour to charge. Normally, when you go to the gas station you will spend five to ten minutes there, right? This is exactly like the timing [of the flash charger]."

BYD is allocating nearly €2 billion (approximately £1.73 billion) to develop infrastructure for its flash charging technology across Europe, with a target of establishing 3,000 stations continent-wide by 2027.

The chargers will be deployed in various locations, including retail outlets for BYD's Denza sub-brand and existing charging point operator sites. A significant challenge in deploying such high-power charging is ensuring an adequate energy supply, especially at potentially remote locations. To address this, BYD plans to install on-site batteries at charging stations. These batteries will store power, which can be recharged overnight during off-peak hours when electricity is cheaper, thereby reducing costs for consumers and mitigating strain on local power grids.

BYD is targeting a charging cost of 50 pence per kilowatt-hour (kWh), which would be approximately 30 pence less than current rates charged by many operators, according to AutoExpress. This pricing aims to make charging more affordable for EV owners.

Vehicle Compatibility

Currently, the Denza Z9GT is the only vehicle designed to fully utilize the 1.5 MW power output of the new flash chargers. This model can charge from 10 percent to 70 percent in five minutes, and a 10 to 97 percent charge in nine minutes. Even in sub-zero temperatures as low as -30°C (-22°F), a full charge is projected to take just 12 minutes. However, the Denza Z9GT is not yet available in the UK and is expected to retail at around £100,000 upon its launch. While current EVs on UK roads, such as those from Porsche, Hyundai, and Kia, have batteries capable of accepting around 0.35 MW, the introduction of BYD's flash chargers signals a push towards future vehicles with higher charging capacities. This development follows similar advancements from battery manufacturers like CATL, which has introduced 'Shenxing' batteries capable of charging from 10 percent to 98 percent in under seven minutes.