Chinese electric car maker BYD is planning to roll out a network of ultra-fast charging stations across Europe, company vice president Stella Li said at a press conference in Brussels, Electrek reports. She stressed that the new technology will not only provide fast charging for modern models, but also reduce the time it takes to recharge older electric cars by about 30%.
The new technology is based on a 1,000-volt system already in use in China, which can add 400 km of range to a car in just 5 minutes.
BYD plans to roll out the new infrastructure in Europe over the next 12 months, starting with dealerships. The company is also engaging local partners to accelerate the process. The introduction of such stations is intended to make charging electric vehicles more convenient and faster, bringing it closer to the time of filling up traditional cars.
BYD is currently actively expanding its presence in Europe, competing with Tesla. The company wants to become the leader in the European market by 2030. It plans to lead in both fully electric cars and plug-in hybrids.
According to Stella Li, the company's sales on the continent are growing by 10% every month, and if this trend continues, BYD plans to build even more European factories.
BYD will open a manufacturing facility in Hungary by the end of the year, as well as a new R&D center and European headquarters in Budapest.