BYD and KFC China have announced a strategic partnership that will bring KFC's ordering service into BYD's in-car infotainment system and place BYD flash chargers at select KFC restaurants, according to Autohome. The collaboration, revealed in April 2026, is designed to let drivers charge their electric vehicles while grabbing a meal, turning a routine stop into a dual-purpose errand.
The two companies plan to use new-energy vehicles in KFC's logistics and store operations, and to roll out BYD flash charging piles at more KFC locations, creating a one-stop "charge plus dine" experience. For now, the most tangible feature is the KFC ordering app integrated into BYD's car system, which Autohome tested in Beijing.
Voice-first ordering in the car
Autohome's test focused on the car-side KFC ordering function, since few KFC outlets in Beijing currently have BYD flash chargers—none near the Zhongguancun area in Haidian district where the test took place. The standout feature is voice interaction: drivers can wake the voice assistant and say what they want, and the system recognizes the order and executes it quickly, with minimal manual input. Users can also modify套餐 items by voice, such as swapping an egg tart for fries or changing a cola to juice, without navigating menus.
However, the experience has limitations. Even when the car is parked in P gear, the car-side interface does not show a full menu like the phone app; it only displays items selected by voice, so browsing new products or promotions isn't possible. The system functions more as a voice-ordering tool than a complete ordering platform. Autohome suggests that opening the full menu when parked would improve usability.
Another gap is the lack of deep integration with the car's navigation. If a driver sets a KFC as a waypoint, the system navigates correctly but doesn't automatically open that store's ordering page. Users must reopen the KFC app and search for the restaurant. Autohome envisions a future where navigation and ordering are linked, with the system suggesting pre-ordering before arrival.
Charging as part of daily life
Autohome notes that the partnership's real value lies in making charging a natural part of daily routines rather than a dedicated task. Since vehicles with flash charging capability typically have good range—enough for a week of commuting on a full charge—drivers can top up during a 15-minute meal break at KFC, using time that would otherwise be wasted. This "eat while charging, charge while eating" approach could become a more efficient lifestyle for new-energy vehicle owners.
The collaboration reflects a broader trend of automakers partnering with consumer brands to integrate services into the car. While the current features have room for improvement, Autohome believes that with over-the-air updates, the experience could evolve into a seamless link between navigation, ordering, pickup, and charging, making the smart ecosystem more cohesive.
