BYD is testing a system in the Abu Dhabi desert that handles every step of charging an electric vehicle using solar power.

The automaker launched a new setup that combines solar panels, battery storage, ultra-fast “FLASH” chargers, and a robotic arm into one single solution. It is designed to work in extreme heat, hence the desert location, and places where the local power grid is weak or nonexistent.

“For the first time, BYD is bringing its integrated Solar-Storage-FLASH Charging technology to the global stage,” said Stella Li, BYD Executive Vice President. “We are providing clean energy generation, energy storage and ultra-fast charging together, and we are making the charging experience smarter, simpler and more seamless for drivers around the world.”

Fast Power Straight From the Sun

Photo: BYD

Speed is far and away the main focus. For example, BYD’s FLASH Charging tech takes a battery from 10% to 70% in five minutes, and up to 97% in nine minutes. If you’re an owner of an electric vehicle then you probably know the process of waiting around for the car to charge. With this charging technology, juicing up a battery takes about as much time as it does to fill a tank of gas.

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The setup relies on BYD’s Solar-Storage-Charging system rather than pulling energy from utility lines. BYD Solar has spent over 16 years building solar technology across more than 100 countries and regions and will handle the energy capture. The panels soak up the intense desert sunlight, and giant batteries store that energy so it is ready whenever a car pulls up. Because it can run off the grid, BYD can set these stations up in remote areas.

Hands-Free Parking and Plugging In

Photo: BYD

BYD also addresses dealing with a charging cable in the scorching desert using the Automated Valet Parking with a charging robot.

When a car pulls up, step out of the car, lock the doors, and walk away. The car drives itself into an open charging spot. Once parked, a robotic arm uses cameras and force sensors to find the car’s charging port, pop open the cover, and plug in the fast charger.

This desert site is the result of a goal Chairman and President Wang Chuanfu introduced in 2006. He called it the “Three Green Dreams,” which includes generating clean solar power, storing it in batteries, and using it to run electric cars.