BYD and KFC China Launch 9-Minute EV Charging Dining Experience
On April 8, BYD and KFC China signed a strategic cooperation agreement at BYD’s global headquarters in Shenzhen. The deal aims to link KFC drive-thru services with BYD’s mobility ecosystem. The partners plan an integrated in-vehicle ordering and flash charging setup at restaurant sites.
In-car ordering and pickup coordination
BYD will first add KFC’s intelligent drive-thru ordering to the Fang Cheng Bao Ti7 model. Drivers will be able to choose meals, pay, and reserve pickups using voice commands. The system will sync driving routes with pickup timing and trigger arrival reminders.
The goal is a seamless, zero-wait pickup experience. The car will notify drivers as they near the restaurant. This creates a “smart-driven arrival, instant pickup” process.
Flash charging integrated at drive-thrus
The agreement includes installing BYD flash charging at selected KFC drive-thru locations nationwide. Customers can plug in to charge while collecting food. BYD’s second-generation blade battery and flash charging tech enable rapid replenishment.
According to BYD, vehicles can charge from 10% to 97% in about 9 minutes. That timeframe aligns with a typical quick meal. The partners describe this as a combined human and vehicle refueling scenario.
Infrastructure targets and rollout
Li Yunfei, General Manager of BYD’s Brand and Public Relations Department, said BYD has built over 5,000 flash charging stations in China. He added the company plans to expand to 20,000 stations by the end of 2026. The network aims to make flash charging a mainstream part of car life.
BYD plans to extend the KFC drive-thru integration to more mainstream models across its lineup. Demonstrations have already appeared on BYD infotainment systems.
Market context and expectations
KFC entered China before McDonald’s and now operates roughly twice as many stores. It is the largest foreign fast-food chain in the country. The collaboration could help illustrate BYD’s 9-minute charging capability to a broad public.
The partnership blends automotive and quick-service restaurant services. Observers expect this to highlight fast EV charging and improve the dining experience for drivers.
Report by Filmogaz.com.
