International expansion of BYD's 1,000 kW electric vehicle charging capability to global markets
BYD, the Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, has announced plans to expand its 1 MW (1,000 kW) EV charging infrastructure internationally, with a focus on the UK market by the end of 2025. This move will bring BYD’s ultra-fast charging technology, capable of adding approximately 400 km (or 249 miles) of range in just five minutes, beyond China.
The Denza Z9 EV has been confirmed as the international model to launch with support for this 1 MW charging technology. The Denza Z9 is expected to debut in the UK in the first half of 2026, alongside BYD’s "Super e-Platform" vehicles like the Han L sedan and Tang L SUV, which also support this high charging power.
BYD is actively exploring partnerships with local infrastructure suppliers in the UK and other international markets to install and expand the 1 MW charging network. Although specific rollout timelines and network sizes outside China have not been fully disclosed, the UK is positioned as a key early adopter market for this next-generation charging technology.
This move places BYD at the forefront of high-power EV charging, with plans to rapidly globalize this infrastructure alongside compatible EV models like the Denza Z9. The company has already started rolling out charging sites in China, with the first located in cities like Shenzhen coming online by mid-April 2025. BYD plans to partner with infrastructure suppliers in China to roll out 15,000 of its 1 MW charging stations.
The ultra-fast charging capability of BYD’s EVs makes them some of the fastest charging mass-market EVs in the world. This development is likely to increase competition among charge point operators, as more efficient and faster charging solutions become available.
Riz Akhtar, the founder of carloop, a UK-based electric vehicle subscription service, has a passion for EVs and wants to help reduce transport emissions in Australia. Akhtar, a mechanical engineer, spent the first 7 years of his career building transport infrastructure before starting carloop. He currently drives a red Tesla Model 3.
As the EV market continues to grow, it is expected that more models from BYD will adopt this new technology. The pricing for the Han L sedan starts at $A58,500, while the BYD Tang L SUV is priced from $A60,300. The infrastructure rollout by BYD is set to make EV ownership more accessible and convenient for consumers in the UK and Australia.
The Denza Z9 EV, equipped with BYD's 1 MW charging technology, will debut in the UK in the first half of 2026. BYD, with its ambition to expand its high-power EV charging infrastructure globally, is anticipated to make EV ownership more accessible and convenient, not just in the UK, but also in other international markets.
