BYD is deploying its 1360kW liquid-cooled flash chargers in scale
BYD is reportedly initiating the large-scale deployment of its Megawatt Flash Charging Piles, a move confirmed by multiple industry bloggers today. This charging infrastructure aims to significantly reduce electric vehicle charging times, bringing them closer to the speed of traditional gasoline refueling.
Distinct from mainstream ultra-fast charging solutions, BYD’s Megawatt Flash Charging system features a recognizable “T”-shaped design, with the entire charging pile finished in a striking blue. A standout ergonomic innovation is the dual charging cables, suspended from both the left and right sides. This design resolves common issues of cables being too short or dragging on the ground, while a suspended pulley structure neutralizes the cable’s weight, making operation easier for users.
According to official statements, the BYD Megawatt Flash Charging Pile is the world’s first mass-produced full liquid-cooled megawatt-level charging terminal system for passenger vehicles. Its core specifications are highlighted by three “thousand” indicators: 1000V voltage, 1000A current, and 1000kW power. The system boasts a peak output of 1360kW, enabling a charging speed of “1 second 2 kilometers” – meaning it can add approximately 400 km of range in five minutes.
To ensure sustained high-power output and prevent overheating during high-current charging, both the charging gun cables and the terminal itself incorporate liquid cooling technology. Furthermore, the system features a unique “dual-gun charging” technology, allowing for independent operation with a single gun or parallel use of both guns to boost power output.
Beyond its rapid charging capabilities, the BYD Megawatt Flash Charging Pile is also equipped with “peak shaving and valley filling” functionality. This feature allows the system to store electricity from the grid during off-peak hours and release the stored energy during peak charging times. This not only mitigates potential impacts on the power grid but also ensures a stable 1MW high-power output consistently.
Editor’s comment
The cost of such advanced charging infrastructure is prohibitively high. Consequently, despite BYD having introduced this technology, the development of its charging network has been remarkably slow. To date, BYD has established very few public charging facilities in China. This strategy undoubtedly saved the company costs, enabling it to offer its vehicles at more competitive prices.
However, BYD’s growth in China now seems to have reached a turning point. The most effective way to attract potential customers to its electric vehicles equipped with megawatt flash charging technology is to ensure a sufficient supply of charging infrastructure.
