The forefront of electric vehicle innovation has shifted from America, where Tesla and the Toyota Prius (a very famous model in the U.S.) were once prominent, to China, with BYD and Geely. While Elon Musk’s company has a strong market presence in Asia and North America, BYD is the predominant EV brand in Europe and South America. BYD has expanded and built factories in Brazil and Latin America, while its new factories in Europe are located in Turkey and Hungary. Now, China continues to expand.
China is not holding back: Its electric cars are dominating the market
Although electric vehicles are still under development and have not yet reached their full capacity, automakers are also searching for other “greener” sources of fuel, and hydrogen engines have started to be developed. However, while some trucks can run on hydrogen fuel, the infrastructure to fill up the tank is not well established, and drivers struggle to find refueling stations in some situations. On the other hand, hydrogen engines are also being tested in race cars, but no daily-use vehicle has achieved a great result to justify mass production.
Considering this, and the fact that renewable sources of energy are also becoming increasingly popular, electric vehicles seem to be the most reliable option for consumers. However, more traditional drivers are not fully convinced of switching from gasoline-powered cars to full electric powertrains, but BYD has a compelling reason why people should consider making the switch.
New BYD sedan: It has over 500 kilometers of autonomy
China’s regulator has revealed the official numbers for the BYD Han L electric sedan, and they’re impressive. The dual-motor 4WD version produces 810 kW (1,086 hp) and can cover 601 km on a single charge under CLTC conditions. The RWD model is less powerful at 500 kW (670 hp), but it stretches its range to 701 km. Both versions support “dual-gun” charging, which allows you to plug in two connectors at once, enabling a charge from 16% to a full battery in just 24 minutes (surpassing the Korean cars revealed earlier this year).
In January, the Han L 4WD drew attention when regulators disclosed its massive peak output of 810 kW. This sedan uses BYD’s latest high-speed electric motor, capable of 30,500 rpm and a peak of 580 kW, making it the second most powerful e-motor in the world after the one in the Koenigsegg Gemera. With this setup, the car accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 2.7 seconds. BYD plans to launch it in China with prices starting at 300,000 yuan (around 41,350 USD).
Lithium battery options: Buyers can choose which one suits them best
The Han L is powered by a single LFP battery option: an 83.2 kWh pack from BYD’s FinDreams unit, weighing 640 kg. It runs on a 945V high-voltage system and takes advantage of dual-gun DC fast charging. This setup allows a 16% to 80% charge in about 10 minutes, and a full charge even at -30°C in under half an hour.
With this battery, the rear-wheel-drive Han L reaches up to 701 km of range under CLTC testing, while the more powerful four-wheel-drive version manages 601 kilometers. For buyers who want a hybrid, BYD also offers plug-in models with a smaller 29.5 kWh battery.
Prices in China: The car might never go to the U.S.
The Han L’s styling follows BYD’s latest “Loong Face” design language, updated from the earlier Dragon Face. The grille carries a 3D chrome element called the “Dragon Mustache”, while the taillights take inspiration from phoenix wings. The Han L will reach the Chinese market later this year, starting at around 300,000 yuan (41,350 USD). The company might never launch the car in the U.S. due to the tariff war with China (models like this one could follow the same path), with the company not aiming for the local market in the near future.
Source: ecoportal.net
