20:45 30-11-2025

BYD’s bold 2026 Europe strategy: affordable hybrids, 1,000 kW charging, Denza and Yangwang luxury EVs

BYD isn’t just widening its range — in 2026 the Chinese giant is rolling out a sweeping European strategy that spans everything from budget-friendly EVs to luxury nameplates and ultra‑high‑power charging. The company has already locked in its next wave of models for the region, including the Atto 2, Sealion 5 and the flagship Atto 8.

The Atto 2 is set to become Europe’s most affordable hybrid with a starting price of €28,200, while the Sealion 5 lines up against the Renault Espace and Peugeot 5008. As an opening move, that pricing and positioning will make mainstream players sit up.

The real headline, though, is the Atto 8: a five‑meter SUV with more than 1,000 hp, a 0–100 km/h time of 3.9 seconds, and support for charging at up to 1,000 kW. In practical terms, the claim is 370 km of range added in five minutes. If those numbers carry over to everyday use, expectations for long‑distance electric travel will need a rethink.

BYD isn’t stopping there. In 2026, the Denza luxury brand arrives in Europe, followed by the ultra‑premium Yangwang. The Denza Z9 GT is a 5.2‑meter electric alternative to the Porsche Panamera with up to 965 hp and features such as a crab‑walk function. Next come the Denza D9 and the Denza Z sports coupé, aimed squarely at the Porsche 911.

Yangwang will bring three models: the U7 sedan, the U8 amphibious SUV, and the U9 hypercar that could stake a claim to being the world’s fastest electric car. All of this will be backed by the launch of a Flash Chargers network rated at 1,000 kW.

Manufacturing is part of the plan, too: BYD’s Hungarian plant is set to start building the Atto 3 and Dolphin by the end of 2026. The message to European buyers is clear: this isn’t just about new cars, but a technological and infrastructure shift aimed at the leading edge of what comes next.