BYD is developing new PHEVs with 200km range and fast charging

BYD has announced a new generation of plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) capable of travelling up to 200 kilometres on electric power and supporting fast charging of over 150 kW. Such models will start going on sale in the next two years under the designation DM-i.

Here's What We Know

The current generation of the BYD Seal U crossover can be charged with up to 18 kW of power and can travel up to 124 kilometres on a single charge. In comparison, the smaller Volkswagen Golf eHybrid travels around 141 kilometres in this mode. BYD's new generation of PHEV models promises to overcome both its predecessors and competitors.

As BYD's executive vice president Stella Li explained, the aim is to provide a fully electric vehicle in everyday use without sacrificing long-distance travelling.

The existing DM-i technology combines BYD's proprietary lithium-iron-phosphate Blade Battery with a Xiaoyun petrol engine specifically designed for hybrid setups. The company claims it features record thermal efficiency.

According to Alfredo Altavilla, BYD's special advisor for Europe, the PHEV market is becoming a new arena for competition between automakers. Especially in light of a possible relaxation of EU environmental regulations. "We don't see anyone with technology close to the DM-i," he claims. According to Altaville, PHEVs are also superior to range-extender (REx) systems because they offer three modes of operation to choose from, whereas REx always operates on one scheme - the engine charges the traction battery.

Meanwhile, brands such as Ford, Leapmotor, Lotus and Volkswagen are actively developing the REx trend, especially popular in China. BYD, however, believes its hybrids are better adapted to a variety of environments thanks to its versatile architecture.

Source: Autocar