BYD has switched on its 2,000th highway flash-charging station, hitting a key milestone in its plan to build a nationwide fast-charging network. The station, located at the Yangzhou Baoying service area on the Beijing-Shanghai expressway, opened on September 24 and completes a target originally set for the end of 2026 three months early, according to Sina Auto.
Network expansion
The 2,000 highway stations are distributed along major corridors including the Beijing-Shanghai, Shenhai, Lianhuo and Hukun expressways, with roughly one station every 100 kilometres and coverage of about one-third of China's highway service areas. BYD said the stations are open to all EV brands, not just its own customers.
The highway network is the second layer of BYD's "Flash Charge China" strategy, first announced on March 5. The full plan calls for 20,000 stations by the end of 2026, made up of 18,000 urban stations and the 2,000 highway sites. As of August 28, BYD had already opened more than 10,000 flash-charging points across over 300 cities, from Hulunbuir in the north to Sanya in the south, Kashgar in the west and Shuangyashan in the east.
Charging speed
The highway stations use BYD's self-developed liquid-cooled megawatt chargers. In normal temperatures, a charge from 10% to 70% takes about five minutes and adds roughly 400 kilometres of range; a 10% to 97% charge takes nine minutes. Even at minus 30 degrees Celsius, a 20% to 97% charge takes only about three minutes longer than at normal temperatures, BYD said.
The stations use a storage-integrated design, with battery cabinets storing electricity during off-peak hours and releasing it during peak demand, reducing strain on the grid and avoiding major electrical upgrades. BYD said the approach allows stations to be built quickly within existing service-area layouts.
The company said the completion of the highway network narrows the biggest practical gap between EVs and petrol cars: the ability to refuel quickly on long trips. BYD continues to push toward its year-end target of 20,000 total flash-charging stations, aiming to extend coverage to more cities, counties and transport corridors.
