Chinese car maker BYD might soon make the dream of cars that can travel 1,000 miles or more on a single tank of gas or one battery charge a reality.
Driving 1,250 miles without needing to refuel or recharge? That’s just a fantasy for any car available today, whether it’s gas-powered or electric.
BYD claims its new hybrid powertrain system, set to be used in the Seal 06 DM-i car, can go up to 1,250 miles before needing refuelling or charging. This far surpasses the range of all-electric vehicles, which average around 300 miles and top out at 500 miles, and is nearly double the range of competing U.S. hybrid cars.
By upgrading its hybrid powertrains, BYD’s new fifth-generation system can achieve the equivalent of 81 miles per gallon, powering two midsize sedans. Notably, even with depleted batteries, the powertrain delivers a record-low fuel consumption of 2.9 liters per 62.1 miles, showing significant efficiency improvements in both electric and gasoline modes.
The longer range means some of BYD’s dual-mode plug-in hybrid cars can drive from Singapore to Bangkok, New York to Miami, or Munich to Madrid on a single charge and a full tank of gas. This achievement is BYD’s latest step in cutting fuel consumption since they launched their first hybrids in 2008.
Here’s a table comparing hybrid and electric vehicles, with some key points :
| Feature | Hybrid Vehicles | Electric Vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Generally less expensive | Generally more expensive |
| Range | Can cover long distances, e.g., 1,250 miles (e.g., Singapore to Bangkok) | Currently average around 300 miles, potential future ranges of 600 miles |
| Convenience | No need to find charging stations | Need to find charging stations |
| Handling and Crash Safety | Have usual disadvantages of gas cars | Often designed with better handling and safety features |
| BYD Models | Qin L and Seal 06, starting around $14,400 | N/A |
| Fuel Consumption | Slashing fuel consumption since 2008 | Entirely dependent on electricity |
| Future Potential | Impressive ranges could challenge global car makers | Next-gen battery tech could increase range and efficiency |
On May 28, Toyota unveiled new engine prototypes that can run on hydrogen, gasoline, or other fuels, along with batteries.
During the same event, BYD announced that its plug-in hybrid achieved up to 2,500 km in range during tests. These upgrades are currently for cars made in China, but they are expected to be exported soon.
Both electric and hybrid vehicles are extending their range to address concerns some consumers have about switching from gas.
BYD stopped making cars powered solely by fossil fuels in early 2022 and has been increasing hybrid exports to markets that lack battery-charging infrastructure.
The first two vehicles with these long-range capabilities are mid-size sedans, the Qin L and the Seal 06, which BYD unveiled at the Beijing Auto Show in April.
