BYD grabs 5% of UK new-car market in three years, now pushing 1,500 kW Flash Charging

Chinese giant BYD has stormed the UK new-car market in just three years, selling its 100,000th vehicle and seizing a 5% share of the total market. The surge began in March 2023 when BYD launched its first electric and plug-in hybrid models in Britain, starting with the Atto 3. Today, the range spans six EVs and six plug-in hybrids, including the small Dolphin Surf and larger Dolphin, the Atto 2, Atto 3 Evo, Seal, and Sealion 7. The plug-in hybrid lineup includes the Dolphin G DM-i, Atto 2 DM-i, Seal 6 DM-i, and the upcoming Ti7 DM-p, which is BYD’s first seven-seat SUV for the UK market. In China, the Ti7 DM-p is sold under the Fangchengbao brand and packs a 1.5-liter turbo engine, two electric motors, a 35.6 kWh LFP battery, and more than 600 HP, hitting 0–62 mph in 4.8 seconds with an all-electric range of 79 miles. BYD’s UK sales momentum is undeniable: through the first four months of 2025, it sold 26,396 vehicles, a 124% jump year-on-year. In the same period, BYD captured 7% of the pure EV market and 9.5% of the combined EV and PHEV segment. To fuel further growth, BYD is rolling out its Flash Charging network, with 300 stations planned across the UK by the end of 2025. The first station is already live, offering charging speeds up to 1,500 kW. The rapid rise underscores why regulators in the US are tightening scrutiny of Chinese brands entering the American market.