BYD to take on Tesla Supercharger with European ‘flash charging’ network

Chinese EV maker BYD is set to bring its own rival to Tesla’s Supercharger network to Europe, according to new reports.

The new energy behemoth revealed ‘flash charging’ technology in March that can add more than a mile of range per second, and confirmed plans to roll it out across its homeland.

Now its executive vice president Stella Li has indicated that it intends to bring the megawatt chargers to Europe as part of plans for a continent-wide network similar to Tesla’s proprietary Supercharger operation.

Li is reported to have told media that the company will partner with local infrastructure providers to fit ultra-rapid chargers around Europe, as well as rolling out its megawatt devices at its local dealerships. A BYD spokesperson also confirmed Li’s comments to Automotive News Europe.

With charging power of up to 1,360kW, the chargers are more than twice as powerful as the fastest devices currently installed in Europe. The Ionity and Fastned networks offer up to 350kW at their ultra-rapid hubs and Tesla’s Superchargers operate at 250kW. The most powerful available chargers in Europe top out at around 400kW. However, only a handful of cars, including the Porsche Taycan and Lotus Emeya can operate at close to these peaks.

The only models currently able to take advantage of BYD’s ultra-rapid flash chargers are two based on the firm’s Super e-Platform – Han L and Tang L. Plans to bring the devices to Europe suggest the firm will also bring Super e-Platform models to the continent in coming years to ensure compatibility.

BYD has ambitious plans to grow its operation in Europe but recently admitted it had misunderstood the region. It will open its first manufacturing facility in Hungary later this year, along with new European headquarters and a research and development facility. It has also hinted at plans for further manufacturing sites around the continent to propel its growth plans for the region.