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BYD plans to install 300 ultra-rapid 1500kW chargers in the UK by the end of next year - and it could charge far less than rival providers, despite offering speeds several times higher. 

Flash chargers are BYD's self-developed answer to Tesla's Supercharger network - and will quickly start to rival it for coverage, with around 3000 units planned to be installed across Europe by 2027.

The Chinese company said this rapid roll-out (focused on high-traffic areas and motorways) will result in there being a Flash charger roughly every 50km, or 31 miles.

There are currently around 20,000 Superchargers in operation in Europe, spread across 1500 sites.

Flash chargers are far more powerful than Superchargers, with their peak output of 1500kW representing a three-fold increase on the fastest of Tesla's devices.

However, while Flash devices are compatible with all EVs equipped with a standard CCS charging port, the maximum output can be achieved only by certain BYD-made cars equipped with two charging ports – starting with the Denza Z9 GT shooting brake, due here in September.

Future additions to the European Denza line-up, including the B5 SUV and D9 MPV, will also be equipped with Flash charging compatibility, because they use the new second generation of BYD’s Blade battery technology.

There’s no word yet on when the tech will trickle down to the mainstream BYD range. 

At top speed, a Flash charger can take the Z9 from 10-70% capacity in just five minutes and on to 97% in only another four minutes, claims BYD - and even in extremely cold temperatures (-30deg C) it will need only another three minutes.

The locations of the first UK Flash chargers remain unconfirmed, but BYD has said the nation's first Denza customers will benefit from 18 months of free Flash charging - similar to the free Supercharging offer Tesla gave to early Model S buyers.

Flash chargers take their power from on-site batteries, which will be filled overnight via the grid at off-peak prices. This means that BYD could ultimately charge significantly less than rival charger providers while massively outpacing them on maximum speed.

BYD UK boss Bono Ge told Autocar that "in the ideal situation, we want to be sub-50 pence per hour", which would have the Flash chargers dramatically undercutting rapid chargers from the likes of Ionity, Gridserve and Instavolt.

Ge said being able to charge around 50p per kW would be "the sweet point" and suggested such a low cost could be possible because of the Flash chargers' potential to charge far more cars per day than rival devices, using energy secured at a lower cost.

"We do not want them to pay a more expensive price," said Ge about drivers of Denza EVs, adding that EVs from other brands could pay a higher cost depending on the commercial agreements reached with the firms that will operate the Flash chargers.

"If we work with CPOs [charge point operators], we will probably offer a special rate for BYD customers," he said, "and then we need to match their prices for non-BYD customers" to make the partnership profitable for both parties.

As well as established charging firms, BYD is in talks with various supermarket brands over setting up Flash chargers in their car parks. 

It claims to have 30-40 dealerships in the UK with the necessary power connections already, which have begun the process of securing planning permission for Flash chargers.

Ge said "the only concern" he had about building the UK's Flash network was securing planning permission - which is commonly cited as one of the main obstacles to setting up new charging sites. 

However, he said that working with existing charger operators will make this concern "a little bit less relevant", because they will have secured permission at the relevant sites already. 

"The challenge" in that regard, however, will be establishing "a commercial agreement" that suitably benefits both the operator and BYD. 

Audi has reinvented its Q7 large SUV for a third generation, taking the fight to the Volvo XC90 and Hyundai Santa Fe with a bold new look, a futuristic cabin and a punchy diesel V6. 

Available to order next month from around £80,000, the latest generation of Audi’s seven-seat family 4x4 has been completely restyled inside and out as it moves onto the Premium Platform Combustion architecture that underpins its A5, A6 and Q5 siblings. 

While the outgoing Mk2 evolved the rakish, curvy form of its predecessor, the new car adopts a straighter-edged, two-box silhouette that boosts roominess and emphasises its practicality credentials. 

Audi calls it a “striking and confident exterior” treatment and says the aim was to create a “commanding silhouette” – which will be carried over and extended for the closely related Q9, a new flagship SUV model arriving in the next few months to rival the BMW X7 and Range Rover. 

Unlike its predecessor – and its platform-mates – the new Q7 eschews a multi-powertrain line-up at launch in favour of a sole 3.0-litre diesel V6, which is offered in two states of tune and drives all four wheels. 

This will be the first outing in the UK for Audi’s new-generation V6 TDI powerplant. It is mated to a conventional belt-driven 48V starter-alternator but also adds a powertrain generator and an electric compressor, which uses a motor to spin the turbo, rather than exhaust gas – reaching 90,000rpm in just 250 milliseconds to boost response and torque output across the rev range. 

As standard, the mildly hybridised six-pot produces 242bhp and 369lb ft of torque but it can be optionally upgraded to 295bhp and 465lb ft – making it slightly more powerful than the same-sized V6 diesel that could be had in the previous Q7. 

Audi has yet to give full performance details but says the set-up ensures “a linear and fast response, impressive mid-range acceleration with even more direct pedal feel, increased efficiency, and improved long-term durability”. The firm also compares the power delivery characteristics to those of an EV, given the smoother torque curve afforded by the more consistent turbo input. 

On its own, the 48V generator produces 24bhp and 273lb ft, chipping in under hard acceleration and to allow engine-off running for short distances at low speed. 

Audi has not said if it plans to expand the Q7’s engine offering. The outgoing car came with a broad mix of petrol and plug-in hybrid powertrains in addition to diesel – including a 500bhp twin-turbo petrol V8 in performance-oriented SQ7 guise, which has not yet been confirmed for a revival. 

The Q7’s dashboard is dominated by the same full-width infotainment suite that’s fitted to other recent Audi models – equipped with an in-built ‘self-learning’ voice assistant that can control key functions and uses ChatGPT to answer questions on the move. 

It’s the centrepiece of a cockpit that majors on technology and personalisation. Highlights include electrically adjustable air vents, cooled magnetic charging pads, an opacifying panoramic roof, a 4D sound system with headrest speakers and in-seat actuators, and a raft of bespoke colour and trim options. 

For the first time, the Q7 is available with five, six or seven seats – all electrically adjustable – though Audi has yet to confirm if all configurations will be offered in the UK. Boot space is pegged at up to 670 litres with the third row stowed, expanding to a huge 2075 litres with the middle row folded as well. 

The Q7 rides on steel springs as standard but optionally offers two types of air suspension: there’s a conventional adaptive set-up with electronically controlled dampers, and at the top of the range a ‘sport’ system that lowers the ride height by 30mm and stiffens up the chassis for improved agility. Both come in combination with all-wheel steering, which shrinks the low-speed turning circle and boosts stability at higher speeds. 

Precise details of which versions will come to the UK, and how much they’ll cost, will be revealed next month.