Detroit 2009: BYD's plug-in hybrids, the F3DM and F6DM
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Click above for high-res gallery of the BYD F3DM
Apparently, "unveiled" was the wrong word. BYD's F3DM plug-in hybrid has been on sale in China for a few weeks and here in Detroit it was just sitting quietly on the stand on the main floor. No press conference, no attractive ladies standing around; just the car.
In this case, a car might be all it takes. The F3DM Dual Mode is a PHEV that uses a 1.0-liter gasoline engine with an electric motor to offer 168-horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. Using a Fe battery pack that gets a quick charge of half the battery pack in ten minutes, BYD says that the F3DM will go over 60 miles on battery power alone. That's astonishing, especially for about $20,000 (US). The company thinks it'll be astonishing enough to create sales of about 10,000 units next year. That number should increase dramatically when the car goes on sale in the U.S. and Europe in 2011. The F6DM was on the stand nearby, and you can read more about that after the jump.
Gallery: Detroit 2009: BYD F6DM and F3DM
PRESS RELEASE:
As the latest star in a rapidly expanding portfolio of green, high-tech products, the all-new BYD e6 electric vehicle is being unveiled at the 2009 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The five-passenger e6 will be marketed as a family-oriented crossover vehicle.
The pure-electric e6 features BYD's revolutionary battery technology - what we call the Fe battery. The range per charge is expected to be a remarkable 249mi (400km). Performance is surprisingly brisk, with 0-60mph (0-100km/h) acceleration in less than 8 seconds and a projected top speed of 100mph (160km/h).
The Right Size
What sets the e6 apart from other pure electric vehicles are its size and performance. With current battery capacity limited, most other manufacturers have elected to focus on small, lightweight EVs that stress efficiency over performance and range.
BYD, as a young brand with a rich history of IT development and cutting-edge battery R&D, has the drive and extroverted personality to take an unconventional approach and manufacture cars that embody the company's slogan, Build Your Dreams. That's the spirit and underlying philosophy behind the e6.
The high-tech e6 boasts the exterior dimensions of a typical American family vehicle, with ample interior space that provides substantial legroom and headroom for passengers, plus a generous luggage compartment. The e6 measures 179.3 inches (4554mm) long, 71.7 inches (1822mm) wide and 64.2 inches (1630mm) tall.
Convenient and Eco-Friendly
The pure-electric e6 is environmentally friendly, eliminating toxic emissions and greenhouse gases while driving. BYD's new Fe battery takes this "green" philosophy a step further: All chemical substances used in the battery can be recycled.
And while the range of many electric vehicles is restricted by their battery capacity, making it inconvenient to travel long distances, the BYD e6, with its high-efficiency Fe battery, can go up to 249 miles (400km) on a single charge. That makes the e6 suitable for daily commutes, around-town chores and even long journeys.
The Fe battery pack in the e6 can be quick-charged to 50 percent of itscapacity in 10 minutes, and 100 percent of its capacity in 60 minutes
The BYD F3DM Dual Mode electric vehicle is based on the standard gasoline model BYD F3, which is one of China's best-selling cars. The DM designation stands for Dual Mode, which indicates the vehicle can run on either pure battery power or a combination of gasoline and electricity.
The F3DM extends the range, performance and fuel economy of the F3. The F3DM features a small gasoline engine, a permanent-magnet synchronous electric motor and BYD's high-efficiency Fe battery pack.
The 1.0-liter gasoline engine and electric motor deliver a combined 168hp (125kw) and 295 lb-ft (400Nm) of torque. The combined range is 360miles (580km), with 0-60 mph acceleration in 10.5 seconds and a top speed of 93mph (150km/h). On battery power alone, the F3DM has a range of 62 miles (100km).
The F3DM's Fe battery pack can be quick-charged to 50 percent of its capacity in only 10 minutes. It can be fully recharged from a normal household power outlet in seven hours.
The BYD F6DM Dual Mode electric vehicle is based on the standard gasoline model BYD F6.
Like the F3DM, the larger and more luxurious F6DM features a small gasoline engine, a permanent-magnet synchronous electric motor and BYD's high-efficiency Fe battery pack to extend the range, performance and fuel economy of the F6.
The F6DM shares the F3DM's 1.0-liter gasoline engine and electric motor, which deliver a combined 168hp (125kw) and 295 lb-ft (400Nm) of torque. The combined range is 267 miles (430km), with 0-60 mph acceleration in 13.0 seconds and a top speed of 93mph (150km/h). On battery power alone, the F6DM has a range of 62 miles (100km).
The F6DM's Fe battery pack can be quick-charged to 50 percent of its capacity in only 10 minutes. It can be fully recharged from a normal household power outlet in seven hours.
BYD is introducing a new version of its high-end F6 sedan - the F6 CVT, featuring a continuously variable transmission and a powerful, efficient 2.0-liter gasoline engine.
The BYD483QB four-cylinder engine delivers 138hp (103kW) and 137 lb-ft (186Nm) of torque. It is mated to a three-mode CVT transmission, which includes driving mode, sports mode and manual mode.
Among the amenities on the F6 CVT are a multimedia entertainment system, GPS navigation, radar backup system, dual-zone climate controls and an adjustable steering wheel.
The F6 CVT is outfitted with such advanced safety features as front and side air bags and four-wheel disc brakes with ABS and electronic brake-force distribution (EBD).
BYD sees environmental responsibility as a core value and a critical factor in the company's long-term success. For that reason, it spent three years and thousands of hours to design, engineer and develop its new minicompact, the BYD F0.
The F0 hatchback combines a jaunty design in a popular size and shape with BYD's own unique cues and characteristics. It is brimming with premium fashion features: A dynamic exterior and warm, inviting cabin are specially designed for the new generation. By building in high quality at an affordable price, the BYD F0 promises to attract a wide range of buyers looking for a great value without compromising safety, performance or fuel economy.
The F0 sports a peanut-like shape and an animated face with fluid headlamps and a distinctive grille. The interior is comfortable and friendly, with white-LED instrumentation that pops out of a soft blue background. The integrated rear seats can be completely folded to provide additional space. An adjustable steering wheel provides additional flexibility.
The F0 is powered by a lightweight BYD371QA all-aluminum 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine fitted with Bosch electronic control systems to help enhance fuel efficiency and meet stringent emission standards.
The ride is stable and controlled, thanks to a relatively long wheelbase and a well-engineered suspension system that includes MacPherson struts in front, a torsion-beam setup in the rear and a stabilizer bar to help minimize body roll.
Safety features include air bags and ABS with electronic brake-force distribution.
BYD, a global leader in advanced battery and electronics technology, has devoted thousands of hours and hundreds of millions of dollars to the development of new-energy vehicles and systems. Chief among the company's core values is to provide consumers around the globe with safe, efficient and environmentally friendly products.
BYD began research and development of electric-vehicle batteries in 1996. In late 2002, the company formally established the Electric Vehicle Project Department, launching an R&D program on pure electric vehicles. Four years later, in 2006, this group evolved into an independent division with more than 1,000 engineers, focused on research, development and pre-production of electric vehicles and components for new-energy vehicles, including pure electric vehicles and Dual Mode (DM) electric vehicles.
BYD Fe Battery
BYD's advanced Fe battery is notable not only for its efficiency, but also for its high degree of safety. During rigorous testing that included impact, crush, nail penetration, and high/low temperatures, the Fe battery remained intact, with no evidence of leakage or overheating.
Further, the Fe battery has proved rugged and durable, good for 2000 cycles (fully charged and discharged).
Besides safety and long cycle life, low cost is another key factor in commercializing EVs. The price of iron is well below the price of other battery ingredients, such as cobalt; thus, the cost of BYD's Fe battery is far below that of Li-ion cobalt batteries.
The production and use of the Fe battery is eco-friendly: No pollution or harmful emissions during production, and the material and chemicals used in the Fe battery are completely recyclable.
Thanks to its long experience and leading position as one of the world's top battery manufacturers, BYD also has the knowledge and ability to maintain the high degree of consistency and quality required to produce advanced, high-tech batteries that are 100% defect-free.
BYD DM Technology
BYD has been working to resolve several challenges in developing new-energy vehicles, including the cost of battery packs and the limited range of most current pure-electric vehicles between battery recharges, a condition which also applies to hybrid electric vehicles when operating in electric mode.
Thus was born BYD's Dual Mode series - DM for short.
BYD's Dual Mode (DM) electric vehicles combine a pure-electric mode with a hybrid drive system that incorporates a small gasoline engine. The Dual Mode (DM) electric vehicle system integrates an advanced generator and motor controller, which results in lower fuel consumption and emissions, as well as higher power and performance.
As the Dual Mode name implies, the DM system takes advantage of multiple energy supplies via recharging and refueling. If we refer to the pure electric mode as EV and the hybrid electric mode as HEV, then BYD's DM is simply "EV+HEV." We believe this advanced system eventually will take the place of more conventional hybrid systems, and become the most popular hybrid vehicle system in the world.
EV + HEV
The BYD DM is a Dual Mode electric vehicle system which brings together an Fe battery pack, a facility for recharging the battery from an external power source and control software that allows a deeper battery cycle so that the vehicle can operate solely on electricity over short distances (typically up to 60 miles) until the battery charge level is almost exhausted.
In our daily lives, most people (about 95%) will drive fewer than 60 miles per day. BYD's Dual Mode (DM) electric vehicles can run at zero-fuel-consumption and zero-emission levels under the pure EV driving mode. When the vehicle needs more power to accelerate, a gasoline engine and an electric motor drive the wheels together to provide greater output and torque.
Under deceleration and braking, the electric motor acts as a generator to recover kinetic energy and convert it to electrical energy, which is stored in the high-performance battery for later use as motive power. Thus, with a perfect integration of electric motor and gasoline engine, BYD's Dual Mode electric vehicles can run up to 360 miles (580km) on a single battery charge and a full tank of gasoline.
During typical operation, the electric motor uses the energy stored during regenerative braking, enabling the gasoline engine to be used primarily in its more efficient operating range. The electric motor also provides maximum torque from standstill, as well as providing additional torque for acceleration, enabling the use of a smaller gasoline engine.
BYD's Dual Mode (DM) electric vehicle system uses a small gasoline engine and an electric motor with a combined output of 168hp (125kW). This Dual Mode drivetrain performs like a standard 2.4-liter gasoline engine, although at much lower cost, to give owners a new driving experience.
The Dual Mode (DM) electric vehicle system developed by BYD provides owners with greater convenience, since the vehicle can be recharged using a normal household power outlet instead of a commercial charging station. The Fe battery can be charged to 50% power via quick charge in 10 minutes, and 100% via household charge in seven hours.
BYD Auto is a subsidiary of BYD Company Ltd., which is listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. In 2003, the parent company became the world's second largest rechargeable-battery producer. In the same year, BYD Auto Company Ltd. was founded.
Today, BYD's nickel batteries, mobile-phone lithium-ion batteries and mobile-phone components occupy the major shares in their respective global market segments. BYD has more than 130,000 employees worldwide, and its market value has surpassed $7 billion.
From the first day of its founding, BYD Auto has devoted itself to the research, development and manufacture of world-class products, including electric vehicles and Dual Mode (DM) electric vehicles. Aiming to meet the increasing demands of global customers and relying upon BYD's unparalleled strength in technology and capital while leveraging China's abundant manufacturing resources, BYD Auto has fully integrated all aspects of the automotive industry, thereby tremendously reducing its costs and significantly upgrading its quality.
Currently, BYD Auto has established large-scale industrial bases in several locations in China, as its R&D and vehicle manufacturing operations have rapidly developed. Within only five years of its founding, BYD Auto has successfully unveiled a series of new models, including the F0, F3, F3R, F3DM, F6, F6DM, F8 and e6.
Over the next few years, BYD Auto will continue to expand its product portfolio to include a broad range of F-series sedans and hatchbacks, S-series crossover vehicles and M-series multipurpose vehicles. Its hallmarks will remain cutting-edge "green" technology, safety, reliability, quality and affordable prices.
Besides the development and production of traditional gasoline vehicles, BYD Auto will continue to develop and promote new-energy vehicles, including its Dual Mode (DM) electric vehicles and pure-electric vehicles.
Warren Buffett's recent investment in BYD Company has definitely boosted our confidence in bringing new-energy vehicles into the North American market. BYD President Wang Chuanfu has said the investment will enhance BYD's brand recognition in the United States, and will speed up the company's pace in entering the auto market there.
BYD, leveraging its wide-ranging battery expertise, continues to expand development of Dual Mode (DM) electric vehicles and pure electric vehicles. It began building and selling the new F3DM in China on December 15, 2008. Looking to the future, BYD expects to introduce its DM series and EV models in Europe and Israel by 2010 and eventually in North America.
BYD, which made its debut at NAIAS 2008, is back for a return engagement at NAIAS 2009. Striving forward steadfastly along our bright route, BYD's philosophy remains: "All ways together"
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Paul Sallmen 1:56PM (1/13/2009)
This is impressive. Don't underestimate the Chinese. The quality of their products has improved by leaps and bounds. It's only a matter of time before their cars come to North America, much like the Japanese and Koreans have successfully done. Good on them. More competition=more variety,better quality, better for everyone.
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ug 2:51PM (1/13/2009)
Why do they kep calling it an "iron" or an Fe battery pack? It's just lithium iron phosphate, right? That's usually called LiFePo4, not "Fe battery". The terminology is confusing. Lost in translation?? If they have a whole new battery chemistry then they should release more specs so we know what it's cycle life is compared to LiFePo4.
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dude 3:15PM (1/13/2009)
There is no such thing as an iron battery rechargeble, this should be just another type of Li ion battery. Just another gimmick.
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ug 4:03PM (1/13/2009)
There is something known as a super-iron battery that hasn't made its way out of the lab.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_iron_battery
I used to think that's what they were working on, but apparently not. They really should be clearer with their lingo. The battery is the single most important part in a plugin/EV and people want to know exactly what is being used.
fnc 5:24PM (1/13/2009)
I'll need independent verification of those numbers before I believe the 60 mile figure. It just sounds too good to be true at that price.
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Hank 6:49PM (1/13/2009)
If those numbers prove true, and the car reliable and safe, there may not be a bailout loan big enough stem the tide.
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RPM 7:39PM (1/13/2009)
If the numbers are true and quality is there then US automakers should be embarrassed...if I remember correctly it only took this company around 3 years from concept to now...it begs the question "Why cant we see this type of push and innovation from our US auto makers?"
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Paul Sallmen 5:31AM (1/14/2009)
Because bailouts are not conducive to innovation. All a bailout does it delay the inevitable. Although the Big 3 are currently making many rapid changes, they have a history of arrogance and have required bailouts in the past. A better use of all that bailout money would be to provide unemployment insurance to workers and send them back to school for retraining. GM and Chrysler will then likely file for Chapter 11 and re-emerge as something smaller, but profitable. They will lose market share, but they will be more profitable as they unshackle themselves from incompetent management and a bloated dealer network. Then they'd be able to put their effort into quality.
Herm 8:05PM (1/13/2009)
2000 cycles is 5.4 years worth of daily charges (7 days a week), hopefully you get more if you control the depth of discharge like the Volt does, or not.. At that price it will sell a lot easier than the Volt.
Curious to know how much it is to replace the pack.
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Anth 2:21AM (1/14/2009)
"The F3DM's Fe battery pack can be quick-charged to 50 percent of its capacity in only 10 minutes. It can be fully recharged from a normal household power outlet in seven hours"
50% in 10 minutes? You'd need a power cable the size of my arm. Maybe two. 50% of an estimated 15kWh battery (less than the Volt because the duty cycle doesn't need to be 50% to extend cycle life) is 7.5kWh, or about 8.6kWh at the wall. For that to charge in 10 minutes, you'd need 51kW power source, or 215A at 240V.
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andrew 7:31AM (1/14/2009)
is anyone else the least bit concerned that this car IS A REBADGED COROLLA WITH A BODY KIT!!! I mean this enough for toyota to release the previous version and call it a "refresh"... LOOK AT THE INTERIOR!!! They should be sued... why can't the chinese ever come up with something original???
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dude 3:17PM (1/15/2009)
Interesting, still it's definitly not that technology. That seems to be in the very early stages of development. As with other batteries using zinc electrode they will probably have dendrite formation and decrepidation issues. BYD is most likely using some sort of li ion flavour, they call and Fe battery. IMO it's BS but hey, it's all in the name of marketing.
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fwukai 10:57AM (4/27/2009)
in an investor standpoint, this company is a Yahoo or Google from those days.
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Ron Wagner 7:01PM (8/18/2009)
If BYD supplies cars as stated, no one will be able to compete with them. Their labor costs are far lower. Many, like myself, just want a usable vehicle for the best price. I figure price including fuel for at least 10 years. I bought a Chevrolet Aveo (South Korean made) for $9,400 new last December. The F3DM would provide an even better value, if it is reliable. The problem is that there is no service network. They need to sell through someone who has a good one.
I hate to buy Chinese, and hope that we can find a way to compete.
P.S. Watch out for the Tata Nano also!
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