China’s First 1,500kW Flash Charging Hub Opens in Shanghai
Sinopec has completed a full renovation of a gas station at 1209 Huqingping Road in Shanghai, removing underground gasoline storage tanks and installing BYD’s 1,500 kilowatt (kW) flash chargers. The site has been converted into China’s first EV-exclusive charging hub. The station features six BYD "T"-shaped chargers, providing a total of 12 charging spots. Each charger is equipped with four second-generation Blade battery packs as buffers, with a total capacity of 169 to 185 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per charger.
The renovated charging station does not require a large-scale grid upgrade. With only about 100 kW of grid power, it can support 1,500 kW of instantaneous charging. BYD states that vehicles equipped with second-generation Blade batteries can achieve a 10% to 70% charge in approximately 5 minutes and a 10% to 97% charge in about 9 minutes. Even in sub-zero temperatures of -30°C, charging takes roughly 12 minutes.
Buffer Battery Technology Overcomes Traditional Charging Limitations
BYD’s 1,500 kW flash chargers utilize a buffer battery design, storing electricity in Blade batteries before releasing it in bursts. This approach resolves the challenge of requiring significant grid upgrades for traditional charging stations. The design allows existing sites like gas stations to quickly transform into ultra-fast charging hubs without waiting for grid modifications. Additionally, the buffer batteries can provide backup power during grid outages, enhancing the stability of the charging station.
Sinopec and BYD signed an industrial and capital cooperation framework on June 3, with the Shanghai Huqingping Road station serving as the first physical outcome of their partnership. Sinopec Chairman Hou Qijun stated that the collaboration aims to "jointly promote the green transformation and upgrading of China’s transportation network." During the renovation, Sinopec removed the original underground gasoline storage tanks and installed Blade batteries as the charging buffer system at the same location. The site retained its 24/7 unmanned Easy Joy convenience store and added a rest area with reclining chairs and health monitoring equipment.
Traditional Energy Companies Accelerate Transition to EV Charging Networks
Sinopec operates over 30,000 gas stations and 14,000 charging or battery-swap stations nationwide, serving approximately 20 million customers daily. As of late May, BYD had built over 6,100 flash charging stations across China and plans to expand this number to 20,000 by the end of 2026. BYD Chairman Wang Chuanfu has previously emphasized the "Flash Charging China" strategy, highlighting the central role of second-generation Blade batteries in the ultra-fast charging network.
Analysts note that Sinopec’s renovation is not only a transformation initiative but also a strategic move to avoid losing market share to competitors. As the electric vehicle adoption rate in China’s passenger car market continues to rise, traditional energy companies are accelerating their deployment of charging networks to maintain competitiveness. Sinopec has indicated that similar conversions will be rolled out at other stations, though specific details regarding scale and timeline have not been disclosed.
However, the 1,500 kW charging capacity is currently compatible only with vehicles equipped with second-generation Blade batteries, and no compatible models exist in other global markets. The cost-effectiveness and long-term maintenance requirements of the buffer battery technology remain to be verified. Additionally, whether underground battery installations require additional safety reviews is a focal point of public concern. Despite these uncertainties, the collaboration between Sinopec and BYD provides a new reference model for traditional energy companies transitioning to EV charging networks.
