Charge in 5 minutes: BYD will install its first chargers in France
BYD no longer wants to sell only electric cars in Europe. The Chinese manufacturer also plans to develop its own ultra-fast charging network. With its Flash Charging technology, capable of achieving a theoretical power of 1,500 kW, it promises charges in just a few minutes. The first installations in France are set to appear in Saint-Ouen-l’Aumône, in the Val-d’Oise region.
BYD is accelerating its presence in the European market. At the 2026 World Motor Show, the Chinese automaker outlined its plans for expanding its Flash Charging network. According to CarNewsChina, around a hundred chargers are set to be installed on the Old Continent by the end of the year. The first unit was already deployed in Germany last June. France is also among the priority markets.
First station in France by November
According to Auto Infos, the first French station is currently being installed in Saint-Ouen-l’Aumône, in Val-d’Oise, on the site of a Denza dealership operated by Harmony Auto. Its operation is expected to begin in November. But the manufacturer plans to go further: thirty Flash Charging stations are set to be installed in France by the end of the year, with the goal of reaching a hundred installations by 2027.
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These facilities will be installed primarily in the group’s service stations, with the goal of making them available to drivers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. On a European scale, BYD has even bigger ambitions. The group now aims to have 3,000 Flash Charging stations by the end of 2027. This ambitious target reflects its desire to also take control of the infrastructure needed for using its vehicles.
Up to 1,500 kW of power!
The uniqueness of these chargers lies in their power. BYD claims up to 1,500 kW, which is five times the capacity of the 300 kW fast chargers we most commonly find on French highways. A compatible vehicle can go from 10% to 70% charge in just five minutes. It would only take nine minutes to reach 97% charge. These are impressive performance levels, but they require a battery that is suitable for them.
Not all of BYD’s current electric vehicles will be able to take advantage of these high power outputs. The Denza Z9 GT is one of the first models compatible in Europe. It will be followed in early 2027 by the BYD Atto 8, a large seven-seater electric SUV that was unveiled at the Paris Motor Show. Other models will naturally follow later on.
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But then, will these new charging stations also be accessible to vehicles from other manufacturers, and under what pricing conditions? We don’t have the answer yet. Similar to Tesla in its early days, it’s possible that the Shenzhen-based company reserves this privilege for its own customers. Incidentally, very few electric vehicles currently accept power levels above 400 kW in Europe.