BYD, the world’s largest manufacturer of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, has made plenty of headlines regarding rapid advancements in battery range and charging technology. In China, the automaker recently unveiled its “Flash Charging” system, involving specialized stations capable of delivering up to 1,000 kW of power. The setup currently relies on two charging cables, each supplying 500 kW. But at last week’s IAA Mobility show in Munich, BYD revealed to Spanish outlet Test Coches that it plans to one-up that setup in Europe. Starting in 2026, the company aims to roll out between 200 and 300 ultra-fast chargers that can deliver the full 1,000 kW through a single cable, with the ambitious goal of adding roughly 250 miles of range in just five minutes.

The fast chargers BYD plans to install will use the CCS connector, the standard charging plug across Europe. At 1,000 kW, these units would deliver more than double the output of today’s fastest public chargers in the region, which typically max out at 400 kW. BYD says the ultra-fast stations will primarily serve vehicles from Denza—its premium brand developed in partnership with Mercedes-Benz Group—although the company has yet to share specific rollout details or timelines for how the network will be deployed.

BYD’s charging network in Europe is scheduled to launch in 2026. Although the company hasn’t released specifics yet, the stations will almost certainly be positioned along major highways and high-traffic corridors. The goal is to give EV drivers the kind of convenience gas stations have long provided—quick, reliable stops that keep long-distance travel seamless.

Five-minute charging isn’t something EV drivers can access today, and it won’t work on every electric vehicle. To take advantage of BYD’s 1,000-kW chargers, cars must be built on the company’s new 1,000-volt “Super E-Platform,” the only architecture capable of handling that level of power. BYD’s first vehicles to use it in China will be its two new flagships: the Han L sedan and the Tang L SUV. Both models feature an updated version of the company’s Blade battery, specifically redesigned to support ultra-fast charging speeds.

If BYD’s plans come to fruition, European drivers will experience charging stops that feel similar to filling up with gasoline. Today’s quickest EVs still take close to 20 minutes to add a meaningful amount of range. For example, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV9 can recharge from 5 to 80 percent (adding 200 to 220 miles) in 19 to 20 minutes, while the 2025 Porsche Taycan Turbo GT—currently the fastest-charging car we’ve tested at MotorTrend—makes the same jump in 17 minutes, adding approximately 200 miles. BYD’s goal with its 1,000-kW chargers is to cut that wait dramatically, shrinking the experience down to a five-minute stop.

It’s unlikely that BYD’s 1,000-kW charging technology will make its way to the U.S. in the near future, given the current geopolitical situation. Still, the push for faster charging times is global, and American EV drivers can hope that advances like this eventually lead to shorter stops and a more seamless driving experience.