One of the biggest reasons why electric cars are not as popular as expected is the small number of charging stations. However, BYD has a plan to change that as it intends to build a network of ultra-fast charging stations in Europe.
The Vice President of BYD, Stella Li, recalled that one of the largest car manufacturers in the world recently unveiled a new platform with a charging power of 1,000 kW, which will allow its cars to travel 400 km after a 5-minute charge. It is a completely new level in the world of EVs and one of the steps that could make electric vehicles more attractive to customers.
The lack of ultra-fast charging stations in Europe is an obstacle for Chinese manufacturers whose cars are far ahead of the rest of the world. Li also noted that the ultra-fast stations will improve the charging speed of existing batteries, reducing charging time by 20 to 30%, which could have a big impact on increasing the popularity of EVs. The plan is to launch a charging network in Europe within the next 12 months, with some stations located at dealerships, and talks are underway with other entities as well.
BYD aims to become a major player in Europe within the next five years, and the first steps towards achieving this goal have already been taken. This year, a production facility in Hungary will start operating, along with a research and development center and the company’s European headquarters, which will be in Budapest. “We will produce in Europe to sell in Europe. We are committed to the long term and we are here to stay,” said Stella Li.
Source: Reuters