What the rollout of these new BYD mega-chargers mean for EV owners in the UK
The electric vehicle landscape is about to take a major leap forward in the UK. BYD has announced that it will introduce its ultra-fast 1,000 kW (one-megawatt) charging technology to the UK, with the first units expected by the end of 2025 / early 2026.
The Technology Behind the Five-Minute Charge
At the heart of BYD’s new system is a dual-cable setup that delivers extraordinary power. Instead of relying on a single cable, the Flash-Charge system utilises two 500 kW connectors that work simultaneously. Together, they can push up to 1,000 kW directly into a vehicle equipped with dual charging ports.
BYD says this is fast enough to add up to 249 miles of range in as little as five minutes under ideal conditions. The technology sits on BYD’s next-generation Super e-Platform, which runs at 1,000 volts and 1,000 amps - levels normally seen in high-performance commercial equipment rather than family cars.
BYD’s chairman, Wang Chuanfu, summarises the company’s goal clearly:
The ultimate solution is to make charging as quick as refuelling a gasoline car.
How the UK Version Will Differ
While the technology originated in China using a dual-cable “dual-gun” system, the UK rollout is expected to look a little different. For Europe, including the UK, BYD has indicated that its Flash-Charge hardware will be delivered through a single CCS connector rather than two separate cables. That means drivers will plug in exactly as they do today - just with far more power available.
Crucially, the move to a single CCS cable doesn’t reduce the charging capability. BYD has stated that its European system will still be able to supply the full 1,000 kW to vehicles that are engineered to accept it. Cars built on BYD’s new high-voltage architecture will be able to draw the entire megawatt, while other CCS-equipped EVs can still use the chargers but will only take whatever power their own battery systems support.
In practical terms, this means the UK will benefit from the same headline-grabbing five-minute top-ups - but in a form that fits seamlessly into existing European charging standards.
Source: Electrive
What This Means for UK Drivers
The arrival of 1,000 kW charging represents a huge step forward for British EV owners. The fastest public chargers available in the UK today reach around 480 kW, meaning BYD’s new hardware more than doubles current public charging capabilities.
For drivers, this means far shorter stops on long journeys and significantly less anxiety about range. Rapid five-minute top-ups could make EV travel feel much more like the petrol-station experience people are used to - quick, predictable and convenient.
Importantly, the technology isn’t intended to be exclusive to BYD vehicles.
BYD’s UK vice-president Stella Li has stressed that:
These stations can also work with other cars… The only problem is that the car determines the power. Our cars can take all the power.
So while only next-generation EVs will be able to take full advantage of the megawatt charging rate, BYD says any compatible vehicle will be welcome to plug in.
How and When the Rollout Will Begin
The UK has been identified as one of BYD’s early markets for Flash-Charge technology. The company expects the first chargers to be live by late 2025. Alongside the infrastructure, BYD is preparing its first compatible vehicle for Britain - the Denza Z9 GT, due to go on sale in early 2026.
To support such high-power equipment, BYD is also looking at combining its charging sites with energy-stabilising technologies such as onsite battery storage and solar generation. These hybrid power systems could reduce strain on the local grid and make it easier to install megawatt chargers in more locations.
Exact charger locations, pricing and access details have not yet been announced, but the earliest installations are expected to appear at Denza retail sites before a wider rollout begins.
What Still Needs Clarifying
Like any major infrastructure change, some pieces of the puzzle are still being finalised. We don’t yet know where the first megawatt chargers will be placed, how widely accessible they will be from day one, or what the cost to consumers will look like. It’s also true that most current EVs cannot use such high charging powers - meaning the full benefits will arrive gradually as new vehicles are released.
Even so, the direction is clear: ultra-fast, near-refuelling-speed charging is coming, and the UK will be among the first countries to benefit.
What This Means for the Future of EV Ownership
If you already own an EV - or are thinking about buying one - this shift could dramatically improve life on the road. Charging stops may soon take minutes rather than half an hour. Long-distance travel could feel simpler and more familiar. And when you’re choosing your next vehicle, it may be worth checking whether it supports the new wave of ultra-fast charging.
BYD’s upcoming rollout marks one of the most significant leaps in EV charging the UK has seen. With megawatt-level speeds on the horizon, topping up your battery could soon feel almost as effortless as filling up with petrol - and that might be the tipping point that makes EVs the natural choice for even more drivers.
We’ll Add These New Chargers as Soon as They Arrive
As BYD’s ultra-fast chargers begin rolling out across the UK, we’ll make sure they’re added to our EV charge-point database the moment they go live.
Our Free Fuel Watch - EV Charge Point Lookup lets you instantly find the nearest and cheapest charging stations wherever you are, helping you keep costs down while staying confidently on the move.