KFC x BYD Flash Charging Stations Now Offer Nine Minutes to a Full Charge and a Fresh Meal

News surfaced earlier this week about a collaboration that will make electric vehicle charging a seamless part of people’s daily trips in China. BYD collaborated with Yum China, the company that runs all of the KFC restaurants there, to install high-speed Flash Charging stations at select drive-thrus. Owners can now get a snack and charge their battery all at once, taking less than ten minutes from walking in the door to driving away.

BYD’s Flash Charging technology, which was unveiled just last month, is quite fast. Compatible vehicles with the second-generation Blade battery may charge from flat to full in less than 9 minutes. Even when it’s colder than 22 degrees below zero, the system still achieves 60% in 12 minutes. These results are based on real-world testing, not theoretical models, and they much outperform what most public chargers can do.

When you arrive at a participating KFC location, simply find a charging station and plug in your car. At the same time, you can open the ordering menu directly from the car’s infotainment screen. It automatically connects to the KFC app, which is already embedded into the car’s software, locates the KFC closest to you, and submits your order. When your battery is fully charged, the kitchen receives a notification, and your meal is ready to serve. You don’t have to sit about waiting, and the food remains hot since you timed it well.

This all begins with the Fangchengbao Tai 7, an off-road vehicle from one of BYD’s subsidiary brands. The remainder of the passenger car lineup will eventually follow suit. BYD had 5,000 of these Flash stations up and running by the end of March, and they intend to increase that number to 20,000 by December. Now, the KFC alliance adds another layer to that by installing chargers in all sorts of different KFC restaurants across 2500 cities, totaling 13,000 outlets. The entire concept revolves around replacing the fuel pump with a charger and pairing it with a meal.

At the end of the day, it’s all about making life easier for electric vehicle owners. Many consumers are put off by how long it takes to charge, particularly in cities. You may simply pop in and get what you need in the same amount of time it takes to get a fast-food meal. Most people who stop by get enough charge to drive another 200 miles, so you can enjoy a burger or some chicken without having to get out of your car, and because everything works so smoothly, you don’t have to worry about whether a charger will be available or if your meal will be sitting out on a tray for an extended period of time.