BYD has opened its 2,000th highway flash-charging station, completing a full charging corridor along the Beijing-Shanghai expressway, according to Chinese automotive outlet PCauto. The milestone station, located at the Baoying service area in Jiangsu province, began operations on September 24 and marks the early completion of BYD's annual highway station construction goal.
The Beijing-Shanghai expressway is one of China's busiest routes, with heavy traffic and concentrated demand for charging among long-distance electric-vehicle drivers. BYD said the new station strengthens the flash-charging network along the corridor, giving EV owners more options when travelling between the two megacities.
Network expansion and coverage
As of September 24, BYD has built a total of 11,586 flash-charging stations across 341 cities nationwide. The network combines high-speed trunk-line coverage with dense urban deployment, a structure BYD says creates a nationwide charging grid. The company framed the 2,000th highway station as a key milestone in its 'Flash Charging China' strategy.
BYD's flash-charging technology is designed to reduce waiting times. The company claims its stations can deliver a near-full charge in about 9 minutes, with 5 minutes enough for a substantial top-up, and that even at minus 30 degrees Celsius charging takes only about 3 minutes longer. Actual charging speed, however, depends on vehicle model, battery condition, ambient temperature, charger power and grid capacity, so real-world results may vary.
Travel routes and owner benefits
Beyond highway stations, BYD has launched several flash-charging travel routes, including the Hexi Corridor, the East China coast and the Huizhou-style ancient towns circuit. These routes pair charging stations with regional tourist attractions, providing guidance for EV owners on long-distance road trips.
BYD also said that buyers of its flash-charging models receive one year of free flash-charging at all its stations nationwide. The company's continued investment in charging infrastructure comes as it pushes to make long-distance EV travel more practical. Whether the network's operational efficiency and user experience will match its rapid expansion remains to be seen, PCauto noted.
