China’s BYD unveils new hybrid EV with staggering 1,335 miles range

Designed with families and daily commuters in mind, the Qin L provides a longer wheelbase and a more spacious interior. BYD has also updated pricing and sales strategies to strengthen its position in the midsize sedan market.

Smarter, cleaner, and more efficient

Under the hood, the 2026 BYD Qin L DM-i keeps the same proven powertrain as its predecessor but benefits from refined software and energy management. The system pairs a 1.5-liter gasoline engine delivering 99 horsepower and 93 pound-feet of torque with an electric motor offered in two versions – 161 horsepower or 214 horsepower – depending on the trim. 

The plug-in hybrid now offers an electric-only range of about 80 miles, while overall efficiency improves to the equivalent of 84 miles per gallon once the battery is depleted. BYD says current owners can upgrade their vehicles via an over-the-air (OTA) update to boost post-discharge efficiency to roughly 90 miles per gallon on the 80-mile EV model. 

In comparison, the previous Qin L DM-i provided shorter battery options, with electric-only ranges of about 50 and 75 miles, limiting long-distance driving convenience and requiring more frequent charging stops.

The new sedan also integrates BYD’s latest Tianshen C driver-assistance suite, which adds adaptive cruise, lane-centering, and enhanced safety automation to support more comfortable long-distance driving. 

BYD slows expansion to focus on stable pricing and profits in China

BYD has kept vehicle prices relatively stable across its lineup in China this year, even as it introduced fewer new models compared to 2024. This deliberate slowdown in product launches and price adjustments has helped the company maintain profitability but also contributed to a more moderate pace of growth. 

Between January and September, BYD sold 3,260,146 new energy vehicles (NEVs), representing an 18.6 percent increase over the same period last year – a solid gain, though slower than the explosive growth seen in previous years. Analysts note that BYD appears to be focusing more on long-term sustainability and market balance rather than short-term expansion.

The Qin L DM-i competes with models like Geely’s Galaxy A7, while Geely has taken an aggressive approach this year, rolling out several new, competitively priced models, including the M9 hybrid SUV. From January to September, the Chinese automaker sold 2.17 million vehicles, up 35.2 percent year-on-year, with its Galaxy sub-brand experiencing even stronger growth, soaring 205.6 percent to 874,985 units.