BYD targets “Flash Charging” in Europe with a single cable

BYD plans to bring its so-called “Flash Charging” to Europe, transferring up to 1,000 kW via CCS. In China, the system works by plugging in two cables simultaneously, but according to a media report, BYD intends to achieve the same in Europe using only a single cable.

In March, BYD drew attention with a new 1,000-volt platform for its premium EVs. Thanks to the “Super e-platform”, an integrated redesigned Blade battery and several technical optimisations, the Han L EV and Tang L EV can charge at over 1,000 kW. The key trick is that for such high power, two charging cables are inserted into the same vehicle simultaneously, with each model featuring a charging port above the rear wheels.

The Spanish e-mobility portal TestCoches reports that at the IAA, it learned an interesting detail about BYD’s planned European megawatt charging network. Unlike in China, a single cable or port will suffice to achieve the 1,000 kW maximum: “At IAA Mobility 2025, a company representative confirmed that in Europe only one cable is required to reach the 1,000 kW maximum DC charging power. And of course, the European standard connector, the CCS plug, remains in use,” the report states.

In her official speech at the IAA Mobility, BYD Europe CEO Stella Li confirmed only that BYD’s “Flash Charging” will arrive in Europe and that 200 to 300 stations are planned by Q2 2026. Internally, the fast-charging technology will be primarily used by BYD’s premium Denza brand. The Denza Z9 GT and D9 MPV models remain on display at the IAA Open Space at Odeonsplatz and Königsplatz until the end of the show on Sunday, where they will also perform “the first European demonstrations of 1,000 kW Flash Charging,” according to BYD.

The fact is: More and more manufacturers are presenting CCS charging capacities that go beyond the standard 400 kW fast chargers currently in use. To meet the increasing demands of vehicles, charging station manufacturers and their suppliers are stepping up. Alpitronic, for example, enables up to 600 kW per CCS connector from Phoenix Contact with its HYC1000 system. Phoenix Contact has already introduced an upgraded connector capable of delivering charging capacities of up to 1,000 kW. These high values rely on new cooling concepts. It remains unclear whether BYD has developed the CCS connector used in its system in-house or relies on a supplier.

testcoches.es (in Spanish)

This article was first published by Cora Werwitzke for electrive’s German edition.