Chinese automotive giant BYD marks a significant advancement in cost savings and fuel efficiency with the launch of its latest plug-in hybrid car system.
New Hybrid Car Technology
On May 28, Chinese automaker BYD launched its latest powertrain, which is the fifth generation of its hybrid technology. The announcement was made by BYD's chairman Wang Chuanfu at an event in Xian, the capital of Shaanxi province.
The technology drives the company's goal to compete with carmakers that manufacture gasoline-powered vehicles, like Toyota and Volkswagen. It boasts the highest engine thermal efficiency in the world at 46.06%.
With a full gasoline tank and a fully charged battery, the vehicle can achieve a driving range of 1,305 miles (2,100 kilometers). Meanwhile, it can achieve a record low fuel consumption of 2.9 liters per 62.1 miles (100 kilometers) on depleted batteries.
The new hybrid car will be debuted in two of BYD's midsize sedans, the Qin L and the Seal 06, which are both plug-in hybrids.
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Global Hybrid Car Competition
BYD's figures are presumably based on the CLTC driving cycle, which is the standard in China. Compared to the WLTP cycle in Europe and the EPA test in the US, China's cycle is considered the most optimistic, since it produces ranges which are higher than the others.
For instance, the Tesla Model 3 Long Range is listed in the EPA test as having a 342-mile (550-kilometer) range. Since the CLTC records a 443-mile (713-kilometer) range, there is about 30% difference in their driving cycle.
The last generation of plug-in hybrid technology from BYD brags about its driving range of dozens of kilometers on batteries. It also has a fuel consumption of 3.8 liters per 62.1 miles (100 kilometers) purely on the gasoline engine. It has marked a rapid growth since 2021 with models like the Qin Plus DM-i sedan and Song PLus DM-i SUV.
On May 28, Toyota also released next-generation engines which are compatible with alternative fuel sources like biofuels and e-fuels. These are intended to reduce carbon emissions and update vehicle design by permitting lower hoods.
Unlike the hybrid technology pioneered by Toyota with the Prius in 1997, the plug-in hybrids made by Chinese automobile manufacturers use larger battery packs and can travel much longer on electricity. Together with other Chinese electric vehicle makers, BYD poses more of a challenge to Japanese automakers in international markets like Australia, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East.
BYD was the first carmaker to develop plug-in hybrid technology in the world, with its first plug-in hybrid car that debuted in 2008. However, the company does not dominate the market alone.
This year, Chinese brands have also released plug-in hybrid models with driving ranges over 1,243 miles (2,000 kilometers). These include Great Wall, Geely, Chery, GAC, SAIC, and Chang'an.
Aside from competition with domestic brands, BYD also aims to capture more market share from joint-venture car brands. According to experts, BYD leads Chinese hybrid plug-in vehicles in making a competitive edge with a long-running range and high cost-efficiency.
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