What is BYD?
What is BYD? Electric cars are increasingly growing in popularity and that’s thanks to the increasing level of Chinese vehicles. One of the most well-known of all of these car brands is BYD, which started selling cars in the UK in 2023.
It focuses on electrification with several models on offer, and now there is a plug-in hybrid, too.
So, who are BYD? What cars do they sell? What do they intend to bring to the UK in the future?
Here is our guide to everything you need to know about one of the most rapidly growing car brands in the UK.
History
You may think that BYD is a relatively new start-up company, and you’d be right to a point. It did, after all, start selling cars in the UK two years ago with the Atto 3. However, the firm has been around in China for a lot longer.
The firm was founded in 1995 as a battery manufacturing company and began manufacturing cars in 2003 under the name BYD Auto.
The first car it produced was called the F3 and went on sale in China in 2005. It was sized and priced around cars like the Toyota Corolla and Ford Focus.
However, the first BYD cars were powered by petrol, and it wasn’t until 2008 that the firm launched its first plug-in hybrid car with the F3 DM.
In 2009, it introduced its first electric car, called the E6, and ever since, the company has been perfecting its electric vehicle lineup and now sells cars across the globe.
What does BYD stand for?
What does the acronym stand for? BYD stands for ‘Build Your Dreams’ and although that might sound optimistic, it relates to the company’s dedication when it comes to new technology, producing electric vehicles to its best ability and looking towards the future with cleaner and greener electromobility.
When the company introduced its first model to the UK, the ‘Build Your Dreams’ logo was displayed on the rear tailgate but was soon changed back to the original logo to give its cars a cleaner look.
The company has also been focusing on developing ‘blade-battery technology’ which means that its electric cars are less pollutant to develop.
BYD claims that its blade-battery technology allows its EVs and plug-in hybrids to be charged and discharged up to 5,000 times, improves the driving range and uses fewer precious metals in the manufacturing process such as cobalt and nickel.
What models does BYD sell in the UK?
Since 2023, the company has been expanding its EV lineup. The electric models it offers are the Dolphin, a compact hatchback to rival the MG4, the Atto 3, a small crossover to rival the Kia Niro EV and Hyundai Kona Electric and the Seal saloon, a direct rival to the BMW 3 Series.
If you want a plug-in hybrid, the firm’s Seal U is a practical and well-equipped SUV with a choice of two battery packs mated to a 1.5-litre petrol engine that can do a claimed 43 miles on electric power alone.
Last year, BYD also released an electric double-decker bus. It’s underpinned by an enormous 532kWh battery which, BYD says, is more than enough for a day’s worth of routes. Plus, it can accept a super-fast rate of 500kW through ‘pantograph’ charging, which uses chargers mounted on masts or gantries.
The bus is designed specifically for the UK and painted in a suitably traditional red paint. It’s got space for 90 passengers, too.
What are its future plans?
BYD has big plans for the future, introducing two new electric SUVs this year. The first is the Sealion 7, a rival to the Kia EV6 and Hyundai Ioniq 5 and the Atto 2, which will be a compact crossover to take on the Skoda Elroq.
Other cars that will join the lineup will be the Dolphin Surf EV, which is said to cost around £15,000 and will be directly competing with the Dacia Spring and Leapmotor T03. Further details on the new Dolphin Surf will be revealed later this year.
You’ll find all manner of BYD vehicles available here at UK Car Line too. We specialise in these next-generation EVs, so get in touch today to find out how you can get behind the wheel of one.
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