Chinese automaker BYD announced earlier today the production milestone of its one-millionth new energy vehicle (NEV), becoming in the process one of the world’s first new energy vehicle manufacturers to produce that many electric passenger cars.
The one-millionth car, the Han EV, rolled off the production line today at BYD’s headquarters and manufacturing facility in Shenzhen, said a company release.
BYD has also selected Norway as the entry platform for its ambitious plans in the European passenger car market. As part of that plan, the first batch of 100 pure-electric BYD Tang SUVs are now ready for shipment to the Scandinavian market, which are scheduled for delivery to customers in Q3 CY21. By the end of the year, the company will deliver 1,500 Tang SUVs to Norway, announced BYD.
BYD has been one of the pioneers in the global automotive industry as far as development of battery technology and new energy vehicle (NEV) manufacturing is concerned.
The company first unveiled its all-electric concept car, the ET, at the Beijing Auto Show in 2004. Four years later, BYD unveiled the world’s first mass-produced plug-in hybrid NEV – the F3DM. Last year, the BYD Han was launched with performance specs setting 12 records globally and nine in China, claimed the company.
“BYD shoulders the responsibility and mission of upward development for China's new energy vehicle brands. From zero to one million vehicles – this is BYD's response to the call for global auto industry transformation,” said Wang Chuanfu, Chairman and President, BYD Co Ltd.
What is BYD’s Blade Battery?
With decarbonisation high on the political agenda in Europe, BYD’s entry into the passenger car market comes at an important time. Central to the BYD Tang EV’s technology credentials is the new ultra-safe, space-saving Blade Battery, with performance figures including a class-leading range of up to 505 km (NEDC) and acceleration from 0-100 km/h in just 4.6 seconds from its 86.4 kWh capacity.
The Blade Battery is made of a single-cell, and is extremely compact with dimensions of 96 cm in length, 9 cm in width and 135 cm in height. These single cells are then placed in an array and inserted into a battery pack in a blade-type arrangement. Test results have reportedly provided evidence that the Blade Battery dramatically outperforms traditional ternary lithium batteries and lithium iron-phosphate technologies.
BYD’s Collaboration Partners
Chairman Chuanfu made special reference to ZF Friedrichshafen AG, Fuyao, Valeo and others, while stating BYD’s intention to join hands with even more partners in a joint endeavour to lead the transformation of the global automotive industry and to forge the way ahead for electrification. Collaboration with leading supply-chain partners is the key to realising BYD’s dreams, he said.
BYD is a principal participant and major force in the new energy automotive industry, and will continue to work with partners, suppliers and customers, to push ahead and realise the dream of green travel, the company noted.