Cambodia is rolling out 18 electric vehicle charging stations designed to fully replenish a battery in roughly 10 minutes, according to the Council for the Development of Cambodia. Sun Chanthol, the council’s first deputy chairman, announced that the infrastructure utilizes Chinese flash-charging technology intended to accelerate the country’s green transition.
Deployment Timeline for Cambodian Economic Hubs
The high-speed charging network is scheduled for deployment by the end of 2026. According to Sun Chanthol, installation work is currently underway across Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and Preah Sihanouk province. These three regions represent the country’s primary economic and tourism centers.
Cambodia secured the rights to import this technology directly from China, making it the first nation to do so. The rollout follows a September 12 visit by a Cambodian delegation and private-sector representatives to the headquarters of electric vehicle manufacturer BYD in Shenzhen, Guangdong province. During the mission, officials inspected BYD’s Flash Charging Flagship Station and reviewed the company’s latest infrastructure.
Contrasting Standard Charging Times With Flash-Charging Technology
The new flash-charging infrastructure addresses a major bottleneck for drivers by drastically cutting refueling times. Older public fast chargers built by BYD typically require close to an hour to bring a battery from empty to full capacity, depending on the vehicle’s battery size and charger output. The newly acquired technology reduces that window to about 10 minutes, according to government disclosures.
Did you know? The Ministry of Mines and Energy, Electricité du Cambodge, and the Electricity Authority of Cambodia jointly track existing infrastructure through the UnifyCharge app, which recorded 460 EV charging machines nationwide as of September 15.
Vehicle Registrations and Government Targets
The expansion comes as local EV adoption accelerates from a low baseline dominated by fuel-powered transport. Phan Rim, spokesman for the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, reported that Cambodia had 8,580,348 registered vehicles total as of August 2026. Out of that total, electric vehicles accounted for 22,793 units, comprising 16,926 cars, 4,974 motorcycles, and 893 three-wheelers.
By contrast, internal combustion engine vehicles still hold an overwhelming market share. The national registry includes 7,257,223 motorcycles, 1,005,757 light-duty vehicles, and 317,368 heavy-duty vehicles powered by conventional fuels. To shift these numbers, the government maintains a target of putting 720,000 electric motorcycles on the road by 2030, supporting a broader national goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.
Potential Manufacturing Investments and Industry Response
Beyond rolling out chargers, Cambodian officials are courting manufacturing investments. Sun Chanthol stated that the government wants BYD to explore building production plants in Cambodia to supply both domestic and export markets. Such investments would also facilitate technological knowledge transfer to develop local human resources.
BYD CEO Wang Chuanfu responded positively to the nation’s proactive EV policies, noting that the company will study the feasibility of expanding its investments into Cambodia. Faster charging options are expected to alleviate range anxiety for long-distance travel, removing one of the primary obstacles facing prospective buyers.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the 10-minute charging stations open in Cambodia?
The flash-charging stations are scheduled to be deployed by the end of 2026 in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and Preah Sihanouk province.
How many electric vehicles are currently registered in Cambodia?
According to the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, Cambodia had 22,793 registered electric vehicles out of a total 8,580,348 registered vehicles as of August 2026.
Who supplied the flash-charging technology?
The technology originates from Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD, making Cambodia the first country to secure import rights for the system.
How many charging machines were operating prior to this announcement?
Data from the UnifyCharge app showed 460 EV charging machines nationwide across public and private partnership stations as of September 15.
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