BYD Han luxury sedan rivals Tesla

The BYD company has reported that Han EV has started sales in China. For the last 10 years the Han EV has been in the making and this could be a breakthrough in the Europe and U.S.  

It’s also BYD’s debut vehicle for its new lithium iron phosphate battery pack, called Blade, which the company hopes to sell to other global automakers. BYD last year joined forces with Toyota for EV development in China, so that might be a start.

The Han has front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive and can accelerate to 62 mph in as little as 3.9 seconds in AWD form. It also boasts of a 107.6-foot stopping distance from 62 mph, and incorporates a Bosch system for precise braking, competitive with Tesla and BMW sedans.

Han comes with a 77 kWh or 65 kWh battery packs. The EV is capable of going for 376 or 314 miles on the NEDC standard, sited the company.  Although there’s no simple conversion as these are different cycles, it’s likely the longer-range Han would provide more than 250 miles in EPA form. For example, the Porsche Taycan 4S is rated 288 miles according to NEDC but just 203 miles in the EPA cycle.

BYD’s Blade pack prioritizes safety, and doesn’t add range at the expense of safety, the company says. In March it claimed the pack kept its cool during nail-penetration tests that caused other packs to overheat or burst into flames. BYD also boasts that it heated the pack to 572 degrees Fahrenheit and overcharged it to 260% of its capacity without a fire.

By the measuring tape, the Han is a large sedan, and more of a Model S rival than a Model 3 rival. It’s 196 inches long, 75.2 inches wide, and 59.9 inches high, and rides on a long 115.0-inch wheelbase. The curb weight starts at about 4,400 pounds, which makes it somewhat lighter than the Model S.

The Han EV will feature a seven-dimensional quad-layer safety matrix battery system that, according to BYD, will offer twice the safety when compared to traditional lithium battery packs. Its 1500HS thermoformed steel is the most ever used in any Chinese EV vehicle. The motors behind the Han EV feature a world collision warning system, pedestrian identification, and lane departure warning.

Other noteworthy tech points include a world-first MOSFET motor control module, an advanced laser-brazing technology for roof strength, and a coefficient of drag of just 0.22. The Han also includes 11 standard airbags, six cameras, and multiple air purification filters. In China, the Han will debut native Huawei 5G connectivity and a DiPilot driving assistance system.

For many years BYD has been the producer of electric cars until in the late 2019 when Tesla overtook them, and exceeded the numbers. In China, the Han EV will start at the equivalent of $32,800, ranging up to an all-wheel-drive performance version at about $40,000. A plug-in hybrid version will also be offered at $31,400.

As with most Chinese marketing campaigns, BYD president Mr. Wang Chuanfu thinks the new Han EV is the best thing since sliced bread: "The Han has taken ten years from the concept stage to formal mass production," which he likened to "ten years of sharpening a brilliant sword." He added, "Through our leading technologies, we have created three benchmarks for flagship EVs in terms of safety, performance, and luxury."

Previously BYD has good acceleration, subpar ride and handling, and interior panels and trim pieces that feel like a flashback to 1980's or ‘90's Japanese economy cars. But the e6 has been built on a solid baseline: safe charging and a predictable range.

BYD has pushed out the e6 for taxi duty in several North American markets, which has meant the model has carried through with EPA ratings for many years (including 2020), at a 187-mile official EPA range,but otherwise it hasn’t made the model available to consumers in the U.S.

This Han comes with  real wood panels, nappa leather upholstery, and aluminum trim. It claims to offer the best of Eastern and Western design aesthetics, and comes with distinctive Dragon Claw taillights.

BYD Han summary specs

• Long range of some up to 605 km (376 miles) NEDC
• Reportedly two battery options:
  65 kWh battery for 506 km (314 miles) NEDC with FWD powertrain
  77 kWh battery for 605 km (376 miles) NEDC with FWD powertrain and 550 km (342 miles miles) NEDC with AWD powertrain
• Blade Battery - lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) cells in cell-to-pack (CTP) version
• Acceleration of 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.9 seconds in top AWD version
• Two powertrain options for BEV:
  FWD (163 kW)
  AWD (163 kW front + 200 kW rear)
• It has a highly efficient silicon carbide MOSFET power electronics (inverter)
• Comes with a DC fast charging from 30 to 80% in 25 minutes, 10 minutes of recharge for up to 135 km (84 miles) of range
• Drag coefficient of 0.233
• Dimension:- Length 4,980 mm, Width 1,910 mm, Height 1,495 mm, Wheelbase 2,920 mm