BYD’s global expansion continues as their plug-in car exports surge and the company outlines plans to build high-power DC fast chargers in new markets.
We already heard that the company’s 1,000-kW DC fast-charging solution (also known as Flash charging) is coming to Europe. More recently, BYD’s Vice President Stella Li revealed that Flash chargers will also be deployed in South Africa. BYD says that charging at up to 1 MW of power allows the replenishment of up to 250 miles (400 km) of CLTC range in 5 minutes.
According to TechCentral, construction of the first megawatt-level chargers will begin in April or May 2026. BYD plans to install from 200 to 300 charging stations by the end of 2026. However, we assume that “charging stations” essentially means charging stalls.
Some of the chargers will be installed at BYD dealerships, and some across the country. When necessary, the stations will have solar panels, at least partially reducing the power demand from the grid.
BYD’s Vice President Stella Li told TechCentral:
“By the end of next year, we will have 200 or 300 Flash charging stations in South Africa. Not all the sites will be solar powered, especially where there is sufficient grid capacity already available, but having solar as an option will allow BYD to build infrastructure outside the main urban centres”
“We want to cover 100% of the country,”
South Africa is an important but still relatively small EV market where BYD is just beginning its expansion. CnEVPost reports that currently, the Chinese brand offers seven models in South Africa — five all-electric and two plug-in hybrids.
If Flash chargers are coming to Europe and South Africa, then we can assume that other markets will gradually also get them. In both Europe and South Africa, the CCS2 DC fast-charging connector is the primary one.
The BYD Flash charging platform was unveiled in China in March 2025. Since then, BYD has installed hundreds of chargers and plans thousands more (together with partners).
