A manufacturer has announced a revolution with its new plug-in hybrid models capable of traveling more than 2,500 km without recharging or refueling.
This is a new warning for historic European manufacturers, long kings of the automobile industry, including in China. With 2,500 kilometers announced without refueling or recharging, a new model stands out as one of the surprises of 2024. This SUV stunned the world during the last Beijing show in April and could well reshuffle the cards if it arrives soon on our soil.
This coup comes at a time when all manufacturers are working on solutions to reassure consumers about the autonomy of hybrid and electric vehicles. This resounding announcement was made by the manufacturer BYD, a Chinese firm which has recorded record sales for several weeks on the electric market.
In hybrid, BYD already clearly dominates the Chinese market with one in two sales in 2024 and is therefore preparing to also enter Europe on the plug-in hybrid market. In China, two hybrid vehicles are sold for less than 13,000 euros, the Qin L DM-i sedan and the Seal 06 DM-i SUV. Their secret? A new platform called e-Platform 4.0 which will also serve as the basis for future 100% electric in-house models.
Behind the sensational announcement, however, BYD remains stingy with technical details. Integrated heat engine, battery power and capacity, charging mode, everything still remains quite confidential, like the price that will actually be displayed in Europe where certain mandatory standards generally increase the price of Chinese cars. One thing is certain: to reach 2,500 kilometers, the equivalent of a New York-Miami trip, a Madrid-Berlin or more than a Lille-Marseille round trip, the engineers had to drastically reduce consumption. This could involve a more efficient gasoline unit, an optimized hybrid system and a very aerodynamic body.
Behind this communication war, the real use raises questions as do the figures put forward. BYD should thus be helped by the Chinese CLTC approval cycle, more favorable than our European WLTP. So not sure that the 2500 kilometers are really achievable here. But whatever ! The main thing is elsewhere for BYD: to make an impression and get ahead of the competition, with shattering figures. The war for the electric car is undoubtedly at this price.