BYD is testing a megawatt-scale flash charging network in Shenzhen, aiming at lightning-fast charging that could roughly triple the power of Tesla’s V4 system. The internal tests, first hinted at by leaks, show a demonstration site near BYD’s headquarters featuring next-generation power cabinets and liquid-cooled charging guns, laid out much like a traditional fuel forecourt. Previous leaks described peak outputs up to 1,500 kW and a 1,500 A current within a 1,000 V architecture, and the latest testing confirms access is currently limited to vehicles wearing a “Flash Charge” badge, including models such as the upcoming Tang 9, Song Ultra, Seal 07, Denza Z9 GT, and the FCB Tai-series. The chargers reportedly only accept vehicles that can handle more than 1,000 kW, with charging automatically stopping at 97% state of charge.
User-facing screenshots circulating online indicate that BYD’s Flash Charging app is already live on Android, offering features like nearby station search and plug-and-charge activation. Once connected, charging is said to begin within about ten seconds, without the need to scan a QR code. Earlier leaks also showed Sesame Credit integration in the app.
At the demo site, pricing appeared set at 1.3 yuan per kWh, broken down into electricity (1.0 yuan) and a 0.3 yuan service fee, roughly translating to 0.18 USD per kWh. There are reports that buyers of compatible flash-charge vehicles could receive 1,000 kWh of free electricity annually, though no formal policy has been published yet.
In public comparisons, Chinese outlets note Tesla’s V4 Superchargers deployed in China can reach up to 500 kW for passenger cars, while most public DC fast chargers nationwide sit in the 250–600 kW range. The rumored 1,360–1,500 kW hardware would place BYD’s system roughly three times Tesla’s current peak and well above the typical 600 kW ceiling seen in mainstream networks.
Earlier chatter suggested BYD’s goal includes deploying over 4,000 self-operated flash charging stations nationwide, with potential networks exceeding 15,000 locations through partnerships such as XiaoJu Charging. No official nationwide rollout timeline has been released yet.
For now, the project remains in internal testing, with formal metrics like sustained peak power curves, five-minute range recovery, and a full rollout schedule expected to surface at a future event.
Would you be comfortable with a charging network that powers up to 1,500 kW, and how do you think such rapid charging would affect vehicle design, battery longevity, and charging etiquette? Share your thoughts in the comments.
