Demand for electric vehicles is growing in the Indian market, but companies are also starting to pay attention to the plug-in hybrid segment. BYD has begun exploring this segment after previously focusing solely on producing fully electric vehicles.
Recently, the BYD Seal U Plug-in Hybrid SUV was spotted undergoing testing in India. This is the second instance of this vehicle being seen in India. There are suggestions that the Seal U could become BYD's first plug-in hybrid model introduced in India.
The Seal U has dimensions comparable to the Mahindra XEV 9e: its length is 4775 mm, width is 1890 mm, and height is 1670 mm, with a wheelbase reaching 2765 mm. In some markets, this vehicle is also known as the Sealion 6.
The car is equipped with BYD's proprietary DM-i Super technology, which is its own plug-in hybrid system. It includes a 1.5-liter turbocharged direct-injection gasoline engine, an electric motor, a starter-generator, and a battery pack. On the international market, this model is available with both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
The Seal U Plug-in Hybrid offers power up to 323 hp and torque up to 550 Nm. In electric mode, the stated range is 126 kilometers thanks to an 18.3 kWh battery, which charges from 30% to 80% in 35 minutes. When using the hybrid system, the total range reaches 1080 kilometers. Before launching in the Indian market, the vehicle will be refined to improve power and increase range.
The DM-i system is oriented towards electric driving, so the car operates primarily on the electric motor. The gasoline engine functions as a generator, whose task is to recharge the battery. The gasoline engine only directly powers the wheels under high loads. The hybrid system automatically switches between EV and hybrid modes.
Against the backdrop of Tata and Mahindra's dominance in the Indian EV segment, the rise of hybrid models could pose a serious competitive threat to both companies. However, the BYD Seal U does not present as significant a threat because it will not be localized for the Indian market, which will lead to a higher price. The company might sell it for a price ranging from 45 to 50 lakh rupees, including external taxes.