Chinese carmaker BYD has unveiled plans to deploy a sweeping network of ultra-fast electric vehicle chargers across Europe — and not in some distant future, but within the next 12 months. The bold move forms part of the company’s strategy to become a dominant force in the European car market by the end of the decade.
Speaking at a press briefing in Brussels, Stella Li, executive vice president of BYD, characterised the charging rollout as a pivotal step in making EV ownership more practical and attractive. “If you stop to use the restroom and grab a coffee, your car will be fully charged,” Li said, pitching the experience as no less convenient than refuelling a petrol car.
400 kilometers in five minutes
The so-called “flash charging” network will boast charging speeds of up to 1,360 kilowatts (1 MW) via a 1,000-volt system — a significant leap from Belgium’s current top-tier public chargers, which max out at around 400 kW. But as Ionity announced the roll-out of 600 kW chargers, operational by the end of 2026, the race for ultra-fast charging is definitely gearing up.
While few carmakers offer 1,000V-capable models, BYD is among a handful of Chinese manufacturers pushing the voltage frontier, while the most advanced EV platforms from legacy car makers top out at 800V. Basically, this is e-truck charging for passenger cars.
For drivers, the promise is nothing short of transformative. With the new chargers, adding 400 kilometres of range could take just five minutes. In China, BYD is already constructing a similar network of 10,000 high-capacity units, and now, for Europe, discussions are underway with partners including Shell (which points to a network not exclusively for BYD owners). Where these partnerships don’t materialise, BYD says it’s prepared to go it alone; at its dealership sites, this will be the case, whatever.
That approach raises questions about whether such locations can support the massive power demands. To address this, Li said BYD will draw on its broader tech portfolio in energy storage and solar power to mitigate strain on local grids. “For us, it’s not a big investment,” she added, citing the company’s scale in battery and solar technology.
Surpassing Tesla
Although the new hardware is geared toward BYD’s upcoming models, like the Han L and Tang L, which have not yet been sold in Europe, the chargers will also improve charge times for current vehicles. According to the company, existing BYD models could see a 20 to 30 percent speed boost, while the soon-to-launch Sealion 7 could jump from 10 to 80 percent in just 15 minutes.
BYD’s European expansion has gathered momentum despite a 27 percent import tariff imposed by the EU, including the base 10 percent levy. Yet the company’s sales are rising fast. In April, BYD surpassed Tesla in European registrations, logging a 169 percent year-on-year increase to 7,231 units. Growth continues at a rate of 10% per month, with Spain proving especially successful.
In Belgium, BYD already operates 16 dealerships, including three company-owned outlets in Brussels, Antwerp, and Ghent. That figure is expected to rise to 20 by year’s end. Across the continent, the company has partnered with dealers previously tied to established brands, such as Renault and Stellantis, in a bid to scale quickly.
“Here to stay”
Li reaffirmed BYD’s long-term vision for Europe, highlighting the already announced opening of a manufacturing facility in Hungary later this year, alongside a new R&D centre and the company’s European headquarters in Budapest. “We build in Europe to sell in Europe,” she said. “We are here to stay.”
As Chinese EV makers race to establish their presence, BYD’s proprietary network aims to outpace rivals. Tesla’s Supercharger V4 network currently caps at 500 kW, while Mercedes’ global high-capacity charging stations top out at 400 kW. If BYD delivers on its promise, the establishment of its “game-changing” network might lead to more windfall in its European conquest.
