BYD has announced a partnership with China’s largest fuel retailer, Sinopec, to assist in its significant rollout of its ‘Flash’ ultra-rapid EV charging network, which will offer megawatt charging speeds as high as 1,500kW – enough power to recharge compatible EVs in as little as five minutes.
The Chinese EV manufacturer had previously set an ambitious target of deploying 20,000 Flash chargers across China by the end of 2026, and its new partnership with Sinopec could prove decisive in hitting that goal. Under the deal, Flash chargers will be rolled out across Sinopec’s nationwide network of fuel stations. With Sinopec’s footprint already exceeding 30,000 fuel sites, that marks an enormous platform for BYD to expand its Flash charging network.
Sinopec already has a BYD Flash charging station live at one location, in Shenzhen, and this initial site will serve as a footprint for other sites to follow under the collaboration.
BYD’s Flash charging network marks a significant milestone in the mainstream adoption of EVs. At speeds of up to 1,500kW, recharge times can now match those of a conventional petrol fill-up, directly addressing a psychological barrier that is holding some buyers back from making the switch to electric.
So far, compatibility with the fastest speeds on this new network is limited to a handful of BYD EVs sold in China equipped with its Blade 2.0 batteries, such as the DENZA Z9GT. However, this car is expected to reach international markets later this year, and BYD has also confirmed that is Flash charging network will be rolled out across regions outside of China in the future, including Europe and South Africa.
