BYD has produced more than 7.7 million plug-in hybrid vehicles since launching the world’s first mass-produced PHEV, the F3DM, in 2008
BYD is marking 18 years since the launch of the F3DM, the world’s first mass-produced plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV), as the company surpasses 7.7 million plug-in hybrid units produced globally. The milestone coincides with the announcement that the Atto 2 DM-i, a compact SUV using the latest generation of BYD’s Dual Mode Intelligent (DM-i) technology, will enter UK showrooms in May 2026.
The Atto 2 DM-i offers up to 56 miles of electric-only range and a total range of up to 621 miles under the WLTP test cycle, with DC fast charging replenishing the battery from 30% to 80% in 26 minutes. It joins three existing DM-i models in the UK: the Sealion 5 DM-i from £29,995 with up to 631 miles total range, the Seal U DM-i with up to 699 miles and the Seal 6 DM-i with up to 935 miles. A Shark 6 pick-up using BYD’s DMO off-road variant is also due later in 2026.
BYD’s DM-i system centres on a 1.5-litre Xiaoyun petrol engine with 43% thermal efficiency, which primarily acts as a generator rather than directly driving the wheels, enabling the majority of urban journeys to be completed in electric mode. The system operates across three modes: pure electric, series hybrid and parallel hybrid. Underpinning all DM-i models is BYD’s lithium iron phosphate Blade Battery, which is designed to withstand extreme thermal conditions. All variants also incorporate vehicle-to-load (V2L) functionality, Google connectivity and a full driver assistance suite as standard equipment.
Source:BYD
