BYD plans to challenge Tesla’s Supercharger dominance in Europe with its own megawatt charging network, according to executive vice president Stella Li.
The Chinese EV manufacturer unveiled its ‘flash charging’ technology in March. The system delivers charging power up to 1,360kW – adding more than a mile of range per second.
Li told media that BYD will partner with local infrastructure providers to install ultra-rapid chargers across Europe. The company also plans to install the megawatt devices at its dealerships throughout the continent, according to Automotive News Europe.
A BYD spokesperson confirmed Li’s comments.
The flash chargers pack more than twice the power of Europe’s fastest current charging infrastructure. Ionity and Fastned networks max out at 350kW at their ultra-rapid locations. Tesla’s Superchargers operate at 250kW.
Europe’s most powerful available chargers hit around 400kW.
Only a handful of vehicles can actually use these peak charging speeds. The Porsche Taycan and Lotus Emeya represent the few models that can operate close to maximum capacity.
Limited Compatibility
BYD’s ultra-rapid flash chargers currently work with just two models – both built on the company’s Super e-Platform. The Han L and Tang L can take advantage of the megawatt charging speeds.
The European charging network plans suggest BYD will bring Super e-Platform vehicles to the continent. This would ensure compatibility between the cars and the high-power charging infrastructure.
BYD has set ambitious growth targets for Europe but recently admitted it had misunderstood the region’s market dynamics.
The company opens its first European manufacturing facility in Hungary later this year. The site will operate alongside new European headquarters and a research and development center.
BYD has hinted at additional manufacturing locations across Europe to support its regional expansion plans.
The charging network represents another piece of BYD’s strategy to compete directly with Tesla’s integrated approach. Tesla’s Supercharger network has given the company a significant advantage in markets worldwide – combining vehicle sales with proprietary charging infrastructure.
BYD’s flash charging technology promises to deliver faster charging speeds than any current European network. Whether European drivers will see meaningful benefits depends on vehicle compatibility and real-world charging conditions.
The announcement comes as Europe’s charging infrastructure faces increasing pressure from growing EV adoption rates.
