Finance
China's BYD to launch new premium EV in Europe that can charge in minutes
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on March 13, 2026
2 min readLast updated: March 13, 2026
Quick Summary
BYD will launch its premium Denza Z9GT EV in Europe next month, featuring “flash charging” that can charge from 10% to 70% in five minutes and from 20% to 97% in 12 minutes even at –30 °C. The move comes amid a 270% surge in BYD’s European sales last year and part of a broader expansion drive overse
BYD Unveils Premium Electric Vehicle for Europe with Ultra-Fast Charging
BYD's Denza Z9GT: A Leap Forward in Electric Vehicle Technology
By Nick Carey
Launch and Expansion Plans
LONDON, March 13 (Reuters) - BYD said on Friday it will launch a premium electric vehicle in Europe next month that can charge in just minutes, far faster than anything on the market today, as it pursues rapid overseas expansion amid flagging sales in China.
Competitive Edge Over European Automakers
Impressive Range and Performance
Combined with a range of up to 800 km (497 miles) that is well above most available EV models, BYD's Denza Z9GT model illustrates Chinese automakers' competitive edge over legacy European manufacturers when it comes to electric car technology.
Ultra-Fast "Flash Charging" Technology
Using the "flash charging" capabilities of the latest battery technology it unveiled last week, BYD says the Denza Z9GT can charge from 10% to 70% in five minutes and from 20% to 97% in temperatures as low as minus 30 degrees Celsius in 12 minutes.
Addressing EV Adoption Challenges
One of the challenges for mass EV adoption has been that fast-charging electric models need about 45 minutes to refuel, while the Denza Z9GT comes much closer to the time it takes to refuel a conventional combustion-engine model.
Infrastructure and Market Growth
Deployment of Flash Chargers
BYD will also start installing flash chargers across Europe -- where its sales grew almost 270% last year -- this summer, as there are no chargers on the market that can handle the 1,500kW it takes to charge the Denza Z9GT in minutes.
Sales Performance and Market Competition
While BYD has gone from 420,000 car sales in 2020 to 4.6 million in 2025 to become the world's No. 5 automaker by sales, it has been struggling for months in China, where in January and February it was overtaken by local rival Geely.
Impact of Policy Changes in China
The end of China's purchase tax exemption on EVs and plug-in hybrids has helped legacy carmakers like Volkswagen, which regained its top-selling position in China in January.
(Reporting by Nick Carey; Editing by Alexander Smith)
Key Takeaways
- •The Denza Z9GT’s flash charging, enabled by next‑gen Blade Battery and up to 1,500 kW infrastructure, dramatically narrows charging time versus typical 45‑minute fast charging (carnewschina.com).
- •BYD’s European sales jumped ~269% in 2025 to ~187,657 registrations, narrowing the gap with Tesla and showing strong international momentum (bike-ev.com).
- •BYD plans to deploy 200‑300 flash charging stations by mid‑2026 in Europe, and build EV plants locally to counter tariffs—targeting full European production by 2028 (cleantechnica.com)
References
Frequently Asked Questions about China's BYD to launch new premium EV in Europe that can charge in minutes
1What is the main feature of BYD's new Denza Z9GT electric vehicle?
The Denza Z9GT offers flash charging technology, enabling it to charge from 10% to 70% in five minutes and has a range up to 800 km.
2Where and when is BYD launching the Denza Z9GT?
BYD will launch the Denza Z9GT premium electric vehicle in Europe next month.
3How does the Denza Z9GT's charging speed compare to current EVs?
It can charge in minutes, much faster than the roughly 45 minutes required by most other fast-charging EVs.
4Will BYD be installing new chargers in Europe?
Yes, BYD will begin installing flash chargers across Europe to support the new Denza Z9GT this summer.
5What competitive edge does BYD claim over European automakers?
BYD claims advanced flash charging battery technology and greater driving range compared to legacy European EVs.
