A NEW development in EV charging has been unveiled by Chinese car maker BYD: it’s called Flash Charging.
Flash charging enables a battery to be 70% full in just five minutes and full in nine minutes – astonishing figures.
BYD demonstrated this charging facility at its Uxbridge in Middlesex headquarters.
There is a slight drawback of course. For the time being, the car accepting the Flash Charging of up to 1500kW through a single connector was the DENZA Z9 GT – the first vehicle coming to the UK market capable of accepting Flash Charging. Based on its range of 372 miles, a five-minute charge can add 223 miles of range and a nine-minute charge adds 323 miles.
But there are plans to extend it down through the BYD range, to vehicles such as the Dolphin Surf hatchback model.
Flash Charging To Come To Europe And UK
According to a report in FT.com, BYD is planning to spend €2bn to roll out Flash Chargers across Europe and the UK. In the UK BYD says 300 chargers will be installed by end 2026.
BYD says there will be no significant infrastructure demands required from the grid compared with other existing electric vehicle chargers. The energy for charging vehicles is supplied by on-site battery storage, whose charge is gradually topped at all times of day when required – from as little as 100kW and as much as 560kW, depending on demand. The storage is then replenished overnight with low cost, low demand energy.
BYD Executive Vice President Stella Li said, “Flash Charging sets a new standard for the future of premium mobility,” adding that it breaks down the final barriers to EV adoption.
Flash Charging Speeds
According to BYD the battery charge can be increased from 5% to 70% in just five minutes and a 10-97% charge in nine minutes.
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