BYD has partnered with Sinopec, transforming a Shanghai petrol station into a Flash Charging hub. Image modified by CarNewsChina. Understand China EV’s Market Real-time notifications when critical EV data is released All important data in one place 2,000,000+ data points Become a member BYD is continuing its rollout of the Flash Charging network and has transformed a Sinopec petrol station in Shanghai into a charging hub, complete with 12 stalls, a rest area, and a convenience store. This comes after the automaker and the state-owned petroleum giant forged a partnership in June of 2024. Chinese outlet news18a reports that the two earlier pledged to cooperate in building out charger networks, sharing retail services, and coordinating in energy supply chains. The Shanghai station is the first Flash Charging hub to be converted and jointly operated by the two parties. It is expected that similar conversions will be rolled out to other Sinopec stations. BYD’s Shanghai Flash Charging hub. Credit: BYD – Li Yunfei What’s different about the Flash Charging hub Most charging stations in China are built alongside parking lots, both above and underground. Supporting infrastructure is limited and usually consists only of basic vending machines and public toilets. Chinese highway service areas also offer DC charging, and drivers can access the retail shops and restaurants already built into the area. These charging stations, however, are often overpriced and overcrowded during peak travel season. One can assume that BYD is hoping to add more features and services to its Flash Charging stations, with the automaker’s PR manager, Li Yunfei, claiming on Weibo that the new hub will offer “one-stop charging services”. Like most petrol stations, Sinopec operates a chain of convenience stores alongside its petrol pumps under the “Easy Joy” brand, and its stations are often equipped with toilets. Partnering with the petro-giant allows BYD to avoid the grunt work of setting up retail channels or bringing in new franchises. BYD has also chosen a prime location for its first flagship charging hub in Shanghai. It’s located next to the Hongqiao Transport Hub, which includes the Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport, a high-speed rail station, and three metro lines. Changes in infrastructure Images released by BYD on Weibo show that the hub is equipped with 12 stalls, with 6 “T” shaped stands, each with two charging cables. The rest area includes a break room with tables and reclining chairs, as well as a “health monitoring station” that measures blood oxygen saturation and heart rate. Inside the hub’s rest area. Sinopec’s “Easy Joy” convenience store remains on site, now unmanned and operating 24 hours a day. It offers beverages, instant noodles, snacks and even cigarettes, and it appears that only digital payments are accepted. Di Fen Zhi Jia, a BYD-focused outlet on China’s WeChat social platform, claims that the station’s petrol tanks were removed to make space for the Flash Charging buffer batteries. It’s unclear if the storage tanks or the batteries are situated above or below ground. BYD’s flash chargers are equipped with four Blade batteries to act as power grid buffers, with a total capacity of 169 or 185 kWh. The firm claims that the chargers nominally require only 100 kW from the grid, and that the buffer batteries are charged during charger downtime. Internals of a BYD Flash Charger with four Blade LFP packs. Source: Mili Shuoche Weiyihao More on Flash Charging Flash Charging is one of BYD’s flagship technologies, and the automaker claims the tech will bring EV charging times in line with refuelling a combustion vehicle. BYD boasts that Flash Charging-equipped NEVs are capable of: Charging in 5 minutes from 10% to 70% Charging in 9 minutes from 10% to 97% Only 3 minutes slower at -30°C The automaker is bringing the tech to both its EVs and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), with its latest launches including the Denza Z9S and the Seal 06 sedans. Source: news18a, Weibo – BYD, BYD Li Yunfei, WeChat – Di Fen Zhi Jia (Home of BYD Fans) Most important news in your inbox. Recaps · scheduled All you need, in one email. Instant alerts · real-time Ping me when an article goes live. 0 of 27 topics selected Bundle into one email per day — instead of one email per article No spam · Unsubscribe with one click · Change settings anytime