Chinese carmaker BYD has showcased its proprietary ‘DM-i Super Plug-in Hybrid EV’ tech in India. The BYD Seal U will be the first model to get this new ultra-efficient PHEV system India by the end of this year, expanding the carmaker’s lineup in India beyond electric-only models.
- DM-i PHEV can deliver a combined range of over 1200km
- Can be run on EV-only mode for up to 70km
- BYD claims the 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine has world’s best thermal efficiency
BYD DM-i Super Plug-in Hybrid EV: what is it?
As with most PHEV setups, BYD’s DM-i Super Plug-in Hybrid EV tech comprises of both a battery-motor combination and a combustion engine, with the powertrain prioritising an electric-first approach.
It comprises a 1.5-litre direct injection, turbo-petrol engine, dual electric motors and an 18.3kWh battery. BYD claims a world’s best thermal efficiency of 43.04 percent for this hybrid powertrain, and it is said to use 4.8-litres of petrol per 100km. Meanwhile, the electric motors are claimed to have a 97.5 percent efficiency. Together, BYD claims, the powertrain can deliver over 1200km of driving range.
When the battery is fully charged, it can be driven in full EV mode in which it can go a distance of up to 70km. In most regular driving conditions, however, the vehicle is primarily driven by the electric motors, with the petrol engine acting as a starter-generator to keep the Blade battery replenished, much like a range extender unit in a series hybrid system. It’s only during high power loads that the petrol engine directly powers the wheels.
What’s interesting is that the system automatically shuffles between pure EV, series hybrid and parallel hybrid modes, eliminating the need for the driver to manually change modes. Like many EVs, this PHEV system also supports V2L capabilities, which means the powertrain can also power other electrical appliances.
Uday Singh
Dhruv Dhaka
Glenn Noronha
