LONDON, U.K.: Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD said on March 13 that it will launch a new premium EV in Europe next month capable of charging in just minutes, highlighting its push to expand overseas as sales slow in its home market.

The vehicle, the Denza Z9GT, will feature ultra-fast charging technology and a range of up to 800 kilometres (497 miles), putting it ahead of many electric models currently available in Europe.

BYD said the car will use its latest battery system with so-called "flash charging" capabilities, allowing it to recharge far faster than most EVs on the market.

According to the company, the Denza Z9GT can charge from 10 percent to 70 percent in five minutes and from 20 percent to 97 percent in about 12 minutes at temperatures as low as minus 30 degrees Celsius.

One of the main barriers to widespread electric vehicle adoption has been charging times, with many fast-charging EV models typically requiring around 45 minutes to recharge. BYD says the new model brings charging times much closer to the time needed to refuel a conventional combustion-engine vehicle.

To support the new technology, BYD also plans to begin installing flash-charging stations across Europe starting this summer.

Existing chargers on the market cannot support the 1,500 kilowatts needed to charge the Denza Z9GT in minutes, the company said.

The launch comes as BYD accelerates its global expansion following rapid growth in recent years. The automaker increased annual sales from about 420,000 vehicles in 2020 to 4.6 million in 2025, making it the world's fifth-largest automaker by sales.

At the same time, the company has faced increasing pressure in China. In January and February, domestic rival Geely overtook BYD in sales.

The shift follows the end of China's purchase tax exemption for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, a policy change that has helped traditional carmakers such as Volkswagen regain ground in the Chinese market.

BYD's European expansion reflects growing competition between Chinese manufacturers and established European automakers in the global EV market.