Chinese EV giant BYD wants to build a network of ultra-fast chargers in Europe that could make topping up an EV almost as quick as filling a gas tank.
Speaking to journalists in Brussels last week, BYD executive vice president Stella Li said the company plans to roll out a network of “flash chargers” across Europe. These ultra-fast EV chargers are already in use in China and can deliver up to 400 km (about 250 miles) of range in just five minutes.
BYD’s flash charging tech is built on a 1,000-volt architecture – high-powered enough to make EV charging feel much more like a quick gas station stop. Even older EVs would benefit, with Li saying drivers could see charge times drop by 20–30% compared to today’s tech.
“This will be a game changer that will boost consumer confidence in electric driving,” Li said.
The plan is to build out the new charging network within the next year. BYD will start by installing its chargers at its own dealerships, and the company is already talking to potential local partners to help expand coverage even faster.
This is all part of BYD’s bigger strategy to cement itself as a top player in the European EV market by 2030. It wants to lead in both all-electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids. BYD is opening a production facility in Hungary by the end of the year, along with a new R&D center and European headquarters in Budapest.
BYD’s Li says its EV sales in Europe are growing by 10% monthly. If things keep trending up, the company plans to build even more European factories.
“We are going to build in Europe to sell in Europe. We are looking at the long term. We are here to stay,” Li said.
Right now, BYD Europe has 16 dealerships in Belgium, nearly 40 in Spain, and more than 50 in France. In Germany, it wants to grow from 27 to 120 locations.
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