BYD has unveiled an EV charging system that integrates solar power generation, energy storage systems (ESS), ultra-fast charging and a robotic charging arm. When a vehicle parks, the robotic arm finds the charging port and connects automatically, then disconnects the cable when charging is complete.

On Nov. 10, EV outlet Electrek reported that BYD demonstrated the new charging system in the Abu Dhabi desert in the United Arab Emirates.

The unveiling came shortly after BYD’s luxury brand Yangwang presented its ultra-luxury electric sedan, the "Alteor", in Abu Dhabi. BYD described the system combining solar power generation, energy storage, flash charging and robot charging as the "world’s first".

The core technologies are flash charging and robotic automation. BYD said flash charging can raise a battery’s remaining charge from 10 percent to 70 percent in 5 minutes, and from 10 percent to 97 percent in 9 minutes. It said the charging speed is close to the refuelling time of internal combustion engine vehicles.

The robotic charging arm automatically identifies the location of a vehicle’s charging port, opens the cover and connects the charging connector. It disconnects the connector when charging is finished. BYD said it can automate the process from parking to charging when combined with an automatic valet parking function. Once a driver gets out and locks the vehicle, it moves to a designated charging area, and the robotic arm begins charging after parking. Mikael Martinez (미카엘 마르티네스), head of marketing at BYD France, also released a video showing the technology in operation.

The system is based on a "solar-storage-charging" (SSC) framework that links solar power generation, battery storage and charging. It generates electricity from solar power, stores it in a battery, and then supplies as much as needed for vehicle charging. BYD said it can operate independently without connecting to the power grid, making it suitable for installation in areas lacking power infrastructure.

The system also aligns with three green dreams proposed in 2006 by Wang Chuanfu (왕촨푸), BYD’s chairman and president. The idea is to produce clean energy with solar power, store it in batteries and replace fossil-fuel vehicles with EVs. BYD said it has continued its solar business for more than 16 years and supplies solar cells, modules and systems in more than 100 countries.

BYD is also moving to expand flash-charging infrastructure. The company plans to build 6,000 flash-charging stations worldwide by the end of 2027. It aims to broaden the use of charging infrastructure by combining ultra-fast charging with solar power generation, energy storage and robotic automation.