BYD to Launch 1MW Hyper-Fast Chargers in Australia by 2026

According to a report by EVCentral, BYD is preparing to redefine the EV charging landscape in Australia with its industry-leading one-megawatt (1MW) hyper-fast DC chargers. Set to arrive in 2026, these new chargers can deliver up to 400 kilometres of range in around five minutes, effectively matching the refuelling speed of petrol vehicles.

The rollout will coincide with the launch of Denza, BYD’s premium electric brand, which is expected to debut in Australia before the end of 2025. Every Denza dealership will be equipped with one of these ultra-fast chargers, supported by on-site battery storage systems to manage power flow efficiently.

▶️MORE:This New BYD’s EV Charger Promises Full Charge in Just 10 Minutes

How Fast Is Too Fast? Understanding the 1MW Leap

The fastest DC chargers in Australia typically operate between 350kW and 400kW, 400km of range would take at least fifeteen minutes. BYD’s upcoming 1MW system pushes that ceiling to a new level of performance. The technology will use a 1000-volt architecture and a new generation of BYD’s lithium-iron-phosphate Blade battery, designed to safely handle such massive energy transfer rates.

For drivers, that means charging times that rival a quick stop at a petrol station. The system can add roughly two kilometres of driving range every second, a claim that puts BYD among the global leaders in charging innovation.

▶️MORE: BYD’s 1,000 kW EV Chargers Go Live in China – 400 km in 5 Minutes

Where Will Australians See These Chargers First?

The chargers will first appear at Denza dealerships across the country. BYD Australia has already secured 15 dealer partners, with a target of 25 locations by the end of 2026. Each site will set aside space to host the 1MW units once they are ready for installation.

Mark Harland, Chief Operating Officer for Denza Australia, confirmed that the plan was initiated directly by BYD’s global chairman, Wang Chuanfu, following his visit to Australia earlier this year.

“Our chairman is very passionate about this,” Harland said. “He sees Australia as the perfect environment to showcase this technology.”

Among the first Denza models expected to support this new platform is the upcoming Denza Z9 GT, which will debut in right-hand drive for the UK in early 2026 before arriving in Australia.

▶️MORE: Cost to Charge an Electric Car in Australia: Everything You Need to Know (2025)

Can The Grid Handle 1MW Fast Chargers?

Deploying standalone 1MW charging stations would likely require significant upgrades to the existing electrical network to handle the increased load. This typically involves replacing key equipment like feeders and distribution substations, which in commercial and industrial areas are often rated at 1000 kVA. The process of approving and commissioning these upgrades involves substantial cost and can take twelve months or more.

To circumvent the costly grid upgrades required by standalone chargers, BYD will co-locate large batteries with its 1MW chargers to buffer the huge power demands, a strategy it has already employed in China.

With battery prices falling, this is becoming an increasingly popular approach for charge point operators facing grid supply challenges. An additional advantage of these large batteries is that they can generate income through energy arbitrage or participation in Virtual Power Plants (VPPs) when not being used to support charging sessions.

What Could This Mean for Australia’s EV Future?

The introduction of 1MW charging has implications far beyond BYD itself. It could accelerate Australia’s transition toward mass EV adoption by reducing charging anxiety and positioning the country as an early testbed for ultra-fast charging infrastructure.

This initiative also sets Denza apart in the luxury EV space. Unlike most premium automakers, BYD designs and manufactures its own batteries and charging systems, giving it a unique vertical integration advantage.

While currently there are no BYD or Denza models capable of 1MW charging in Australia, this investment is a clear sign they will eventually arrive.

Harland summed it up as a new kind of luxury experience. “Coffee, cars and charging,” he said, suggesting Denza showrooms will become community hubs rather than just retail spaces.