BYD is celebrating a milestone by surpassing the 7.7 million mark when it comes to the number of Plug-In Hybrid (PHEVs) produced.
Back in 2008, BYD was charting its own course. At the Geneva Motor Show, the Chinese carmaker showed off the BYD F3DM—the first mass-produced PHEV. At the time, it featured a 16-kWh battery offering just 60 kilometers of all electric range (450 kilometers combined).
Motivated by the dream of using technology to change the world, BYD showed determination and R&D capability to become the world’s leading manufacturer of plug-in hybrids. Thanks to the work of over 110,000 engineers, PHEVs have seen improved charging speeds and performance.
Unlike conventional plug-in hybrids, where the internal combustion engine generally takes center stage, BYD’s latest Dual Mode Intelligent or DM-i means that the gas engine primarily acts as a generator. It only engages directly at higher speeds or when additional power is required. This approach enables many journeys in real-world conditions to be completed in zero emissions mode.
The high-efficiency generator combined with electric motors also provide a variety of drive modes to maximize efficiency:
EV Mode: 100 percent electric drive, used most of the time in urban environments.HEV “Series” Mode: the gas engine acts as a generator to charge the battery, while the electric motor drives the wheels, maintaining the smoothness of an EV.HEV “Parallel” Mode: in situations of high power demand, the gas engine can connect directly to the wheels to support the electric motor.The BYD DM-i’s performance is also helped by another fundamental pillar: the Blade Battery. Its lithium iron phosphate (LFP) chemistry is capable of withstanding the demanding Nail Penetration Test, ensures superior thermal stability even under extreme conditions. In addition, like BYD’s fully electric models, Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) functionality is incorporated, enabling the vehicle to supply electricity to external devices—effectively transforming it into a mobile power source.
Founded in 1995 with just 20 employees, BYD has grown into a high-tech, multi-national employing more than one million people, with a presence in 112 countries and the feat of generating an average of 45 patents per working day.
This innovative capacity has enabled BYD to bring plug-in hybrid technology to the mass market at a time when much of the industry was keeping it in the experimental phase. From battery manufacturer to significant player across four major industries—automotive, electronics, renewable energy, and rail transport – the brand has consolidated a position of leadership built on a legacy of innovation that began when electrification was in its infancy, and which today means that BYD is the global leader of plug-in vehicle sales.
