Charging autonomy remains a concern

Charging autonomy remains a concern for buyers of electric vehicles. They fear not finding a charging station or spending too much time there.

Charging technology has advanced

Charging a vehicle's battery can sometimes take no more than fifteen minutes. Manufacturers are multiplying increasingly powerful charging stations, and BYD is among the most advanced.

BYD introduces new charging stations

In March 2026, the Chinese manufacturer presented the second generation of its ultra-fast charging stations. Named Flash Charging, these stations are capable of delivering a maximum power of 1,500 kW.

Charging speed and battery compatibility

Thus, it is possible to charge a car from 10 to 70 percent in five minutes and reach 97 percent in nine minutes. This is conditional on the vehicle being equipped with the Blade 2.0 battery.

Availability in Europe

We have already tested these stations, but they are not yet very numerous in Europe. This will soon change, as confirmed by the Chinese manufacturer at the Paris Motor Show.

BYD's European expansion plans

According to its officials, interviewed at the show by the website Car News China, the company plans to install 100 Flash Charging stations in Europe by the end of 2026.

Current and future models

BYD has already installed the first one in Germany in June, and others are in service elsewhere in Europe, including the United Kingdom. However, one must have a vehicle capable of using them.

Limited vehicle compatibility

In Europe, the Denza Z9 GT is currently the only model from the group compatible with Flash Charging. The BYD Atto 8 will only arrive in the first quarter of 2027.

Future expansion goals

By the end of 2027, BYD plans to install no less than 3,000 of these stations in Europe, half of the 6,000 planned outside China by that time.

China's station development

In China, the manufacturer aims to have 20,000 stations by the end of 2026 and already has 12,165, after deploying 10,000 in six months.

Meeting ambitious goals

However, the company will have to accelerate its pace to achieve its very ambitious goal. To do this, it has notably formed a partnership with the Chinese oil group Sinopec.

Installation targets

To reach the planned 20,000 stations, the Shenzhen-based company must now bring about 100 new stations into operation each day by December 31.

Competitive developments

Meanwhile, the competition is intensifying, starting with that from Geely. At the end of August, Geely announced the development of a 1,000-volt architecture to charge from 10 to 80 percent in 5.5 minutes.

Geely's progress

Its sedan Lynk & Co 10, at 900 volts, has already achieved this time during a test, with 5 minutes and 32 seconds. Initially, this technology will be reserved for China.

Market comparison

BYD maintains an advantage in the size of the network, with more than 12,000 Flash Charging stations in China, compared to about 2,100 stations at 1,500 kW for Geely in March.

Geely's technological lead

In terms of power, however, Geely has already taken the lead: by the end of September, it put into service in five Chinese cities stations capable of delivering up to 2,250 kW.