BYD, the Chinese manufacturer of new energy vehicles, was able to demonstrate its game-changing FLASH Charging technology this week at its UK headquarters in Uxbridge – the first installation of its kind in the UK.

Working in conjunction with the latest Blade Battery 2.0, FLASH Charging delivers up to 1,500kW through a single connector. As a result, charging is fast – very fast, in fact. BYD is therefore able to introduce the concept of ‘Ready in 5, Full in 9, Cold Add 3’ thanks to its incredible charging speeds. This means that the battery can be charged from 5% to 70% (‘Ready’) in just five minutes, while a 10%–97% charge (‘Full’) is possible in nine minutes. Even at -30°C, a 20%–97% charge can be achieved in just 12 minutes (‘Add 3’).

The FLASH charging unit is T-shaped and houses two cables, each of which hangs vertically on a rail. These cables not only make it much easier to connect to a vehicle than traditional chargers – regardless of where the charging port is located – but also prevent them from dragging across the ground and becoming wet or dirty.

Even more significant than the charging speeds themselves is the fact that FLASH Charging demands no greater infrastructure from the grid than existing – and slower – electric vehicle chargers. Energy for vehicle charging is supplied by on-site battery storage, which is gradually replenished throughout the day as required, at rates ranging from as little as 100kW to as much as 560kW, depending on demand. This is why the rollout will be rapid, with plans for 300 chargers to be installed at DENZA stores and other locations by the end of 2026.

BYD Executive Vice President Stella Li was present for the occasion and said: “FLASH Charging’s ability to make our second-generation Blade Battery ready in five minutes, full in nine minutes, and require just three additional minutes in cold weather sets a new standard for the future of premium mobility. Our DENZA brand is driven by technology that inspires, and witnessing FLASH Charging today, as demonstrated by the Z9 GT, is truly inspirational.”