BYD is trialling a 1,500 kW flash‑charging hub in Shenzhen, built to look like a fuel station. Discover how this could reshape EV charging – read more now.
Overview
Chinese EV giant BYD has begun internal testing of a 1,500 kW flash‑charging network in Shenzhen. The system promises to deliver three times the power of Tesla’s V4 Supercharger, potentially redefining how quickly electric cars can refuel.
Design that Mimics a Fuel Pump
The prototype is laid out like a traditional gasoline station, complete with a T‑shaped canopy and liquid‑cooled charging guns. Images released by CarNewsChina show a maximum output of 1,500 kW and a current rating of 1,500 A, built on a 1,000 V architecture.
Who Can Use It?
Access is currently limited to vehicles bearing the “Flash Charge” badge. Early adopters include upcoming models such as the BYD Tang 9, Song Ultra, Seal 07, Denza Z9 GT and the FCB Tai‑series. The charger only accepts input power above 1,000 kW and automatically stops at 97 % state‑of‑charge.
App Integration
The Flash Charging app, already available for Android, lets drivers locate nearby stations and trigger automatic charging. Once activated, the car begins drawing power within about 10 seconds—no QR code scanning required.
Pricing and Incentives
The test site lists a rate of CNY 1.3 per kWh (approximately USD 0.18/kWh), which includes a CNY 0.3 service fee. BYD has hinted that owners of compatible vehicles could receive up to 1,000 kWh of free electricity per year, though official policy details are still pending.
How It Stacks Up
In China, Tesla’s V4 Superchargers peak at 500 kW for passenger cars, while most public DC fast chargers sit between 250 and 600 kW. BYD’s 1,360‑1,500 kW hardware is about three times Tesla’s current peak and more than double the highest common public charger capacity.
Expansion Plans
BYD aims to operate over 4,000 self‑run fast‑charging stations across China and could partner with networks like XiaoJu Charging to exceed 15,000 locations. A rollout timetable has not yet been announced, as the project remains in the internal‑testing phase.
Shenzhen’s Green Milestone
The city hosting BYD’s trials, Shenzhen, is already the world’s first metropolis with a fully electric public‑service fleet—buses and taxis are 100 % battery powered.
Looking Ahead
Performance metrics such as sustained peak power, range recovery in five minutes, and large‑scale deployment timelines have been validated. BYD plans to reveal full specifications at a future launch event.