BYD and Sinopec Repurpose Legacy Fuel Stations
Automotive manufacturer BYD has begun converting traditional fuel stations into high-power electric vehicle charging hubs in China through a strategic partnership with state-owned petroleum giant Sinopec. The initiative, which kicked off in mid-2024, marks a significant shift in urban refueling infrastructure as adoption rates for battery-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles continue to climb across the country.
The first completed conversion site operates in Shanghai, taking over a pre-existing Sinopec service station footprint. Rather than utilizing standard direct-current hardware, the location features proprietary Flash Charging technology designed to dramatically shorten replenishment times for motorists transitioning away from internal combustion engines.
Powering Up With 1,500 kW Flash Chargers
The core technological driver behind these converted locations is BYD’s ultra-high-power Flash Charging system, capable of delivering up to 1,500 kW of electrical output. According to technical specifications outlined by automotive reporting outlets, this extreme power delivery allows compatible vehicles to replenish their battery packs from 10% to 70% in approximately five minutes.
Extending the charge from 10% up to 97% requires roughly nine minutes total. This performance profile effectively mirrors the time investment required to pump conventional liquid fuels into a traditional passenger car or truck.
Grid Resilience via Integrated Blade Batteries
To safely manage these immense electrical loads, each charging island is engineered with integrated backup power capabilities. Every Flash Charger unit incorporates four proprietary Blade battery modules boasting capacities of either 169 kWh or 185 kWh. These buffer batteries maintain operations and supply continuous energy during grid fluctuations or local utility outages, ensuring uninterrupted service for compatible BYD battery-electric and plug-in hybrid models.
Familiar Layouts and Future Urban Rollouts
The physical layout of the Shanghai conversion breaks away from conventional electric vehicle service equipment aesthetics. Because the hardware handles extreme electrical output, the layout adopts a specialized structural form arranged similarly to traditional fuel pumps, featuring six large T-shaped charging units equipped with dual connectors per dispenser.
Motorists enter the charging zone using familiar traffic patterns common at standard gas stations. Furthermore, because the site previously functioned as a traditional petroleum retail outlet, ancillary amenities such as convenience stores and customer waiting rooms remain operational for drivers during power-ups.
Following the successful deployment of the Shanghai pilot location, BYD and Sinopec plan to expand the conversion concept to additional fuel stations across China’s urban networks.
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