Shenzhen-based BYD (build your dreams) is China's largest battery maker and the world's largest maker of rechargeable batteries and cell phone batteries. The 13-year-old company has 130.000 employees today, up from 20 in 1995. Five years ago BYD bought the Chinese car manufacturer Qinchuan and has since become one of China's fast-growing car sellers with the gasoline-powered F3 compact sedan. BYD is now using its self-developed lithium ion battery to launch a range of new cars.
The batteries use iron phosphate as one of the main electrode materials, making them safer and longer-lasting. The batteries will last for 600,000 km (372 800 miles), or eight to ten years of usage, while maintaining 80% of their original capacity even after 2,000 charges. The batteries have low voltage (3.3 volt) and a high energy density.
End 2008, BYD will launch a number of hybrid cars in China. Much similar to the GM Volt, these gasoline-electric hybrid electric cars that can be plugged into a home power point.
BYD plans to launch both the F6DM (pictured above) and the less expensive F3DM later this year. The F6DM will have a 20 kWh battery and a small (1.0 liter) gasoline engine. Top speed is 100 mph (160 kph) and it can travel 62 miles (100 km) in all-electric mode and 267 miles (430 km) on battery and gas.
Further down the path, in 2009 or 2010, BYD will launch the F6E (or the e6) electric car, which can travel 186 miles (300 kilometers) on a single full charge. The batteries can be fully charged with household 220 VAC in nine hours, while at special charging stations they can be charged to 80% of their capacity in fifteen minutes, and to 70% in ten minutes. The e6 will be a 5 seater with an acceleration of 0 to 100 kph of around 10 seconds. Top speed is 160 kph (100 mph).
The F6DM plug-in hybrid would cost 150,000 yuan (under $22,000) in China, while the e6 electric car would cost a bit more, i.e. 200,000 yuan. the FI is one of the cheapest Chinese-made car, priced between 30,000 yuan ($4,290) and 40,000 yuan when launched. The latter (pictured below) is not a hybrid, it has a 1.0 L three-cylinder 12-valve SOHC engine.
Links:
BYD to launch Electric Car in China - Wall Street Jpurnal, October 11, 2008
China's BYD Auto Co. To Unveil All-Electric Car - Wall Street Journal -
BYD F6DM: will the First Plug-in Hybrid be Chinese? - Treehugger, February 14, 2008
F3DM: The second smaller hybrid - Treehugger, 18 March 2008
F6DM - Treehugger
Introducing the BYD e6 electric car - Treehugger
China's new hybrid cars - Treehugger, April 29, 2008
BYD e6 - greencardesign
China's BYD unveils... - GreenCarCongress, October 12, 2008
BYD media center
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