BYD F3 DM – The Chinese Hybrid Revolution Begins right now!
For too long, the Toyota Prius, and Honda Civic Hybrid have long been out of the reach of the common driver in China. The Prius and the Civic both cost around 250,000rmb, which pretty much makes it a rich persons toy, but the launch of the BYD F3DM makes hybrid automobiles not only affordable, but highly desireable.
The BYD F3DM starts at a mere 149,800rmb (A similar price to the Ford Focus), despite it looking like a previous generation Toyota Corolla, the gasoline version of the BYD F3 has sold extremely well, now it seems that the F3DM sales may well eclipse the gasoline version.
According to reports, on one electric charge, the BYD F3 DM can travel for 100km. Once the car is out of juice a 1.3l engine seamlessly kicks in and you can go on your way again. Whilst the 1.3l engine is in use, charging of BYD’s self made iron batteries begins. If the F3 DM doesnt get a full charge whilst under engine power, then it can be plugged in at the owners home, or place of work to fully juice up the car. The electric motor is a 75kw model, which can easily power the car upto a top speed of 150kph. The batteries are good for upto 2000 charges, but will begin to depreciate afterwards, however, the batteries are good for around 4000 charges. If BYD goes ahead with its ‘electric filling station’ plans, which could see an ‘electric pump’ at every traditional gas station, then the BYD F3 DM could be recharged by 50% within 10 minutes. On a traditional home or business electricity supply, the BYD F3 DM will need around 9 hours to fully charge up.
The BYD F3 DM is truly a break through for the Chinese car industry, the launch of this car will set a new benchmark in the affordability, and styling of hybrids. Whilst the Prius should be lauded for being the first mass marketed hybrid car, its styling is not for everyone, and the price in China is certainly only for the privilleged few, which is echoed by its miserable sales stats. The Chevy Volt, which is supposedly set to be the savior of Detroit, is not set to enter China until 2011. If the Volt is to be made in China, then we could see it being a suitable rival to the F3 DM, but if it is to be an imported model then it probably end up the same way as the Prius.
We will continue to update you on the piece of history that is the BYD F3DM
(No Ratings Yet)
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utterly fantastic news for China. Will there be anymore government support for BYD at all?
2000 or 4000 charges…which is it?
sounds better than the prius and whatever else hybrid crap thats out there though.
Okay, I assume you mean Lithium Ion batteries rather than Iron ones? Now there is a lot of sniping going on about this car, how can the chinese who have only been making cars for a few years possibly make a better hyrbid than the mighty Toyota etc. Well I for one will give them the benefit of the doubt, a company who have for years been making laptop and cell phone batteries must know a thing or two about them. And if BYD just so happen to have made Lithium Ion batteries suitable for car use before the big 3, well I detect some sour grapes. The sooner this car is in production and can be tested the better. How ironic if this car were bought by Toyota and the technology copied!!!
The car is already in production. Toyota or anyone else can not copy the battery technology which BYD has patents
If you have seen an actual vehicle test report in the media, post the link here … I would love to see it!
yes the BBC reporter did actually tested out the car.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/7779261.stm
Here you can see BusinessWeek reporter test drive F3DM
http://feedroom.businessweek.com/?skin=oneclip&fr_story=a9bb57fe7112274dff061f0683489688197bf0f1
Kas, Toyota has patents for the Aygo and it did not stop it being copied etc. I am pretty sure that if this car is actually a good car then the technology will be copied and the companies will just say, sue us and prove it!!
Thanks for the article links! I will watch for a true review of the vehicle that actually tests a full depletion and charge cycle
This technology is well known and has been tested for years. In fact the high power versions of this battery are used in land speed vehicles. For example it has a massive power mode that can drive special electric
motorcycles from 0 to 300 miles an hour in 10 seconds.
Whats the matter with you reporter guys, too busy drinkin martinis with ‘the boys’ to do any research?
Keep me informed on latest news on BYD progress