BYD Electric, Hybrid Taxi Range: Premium Cost-Effective Comfort
It has taken a long time for Chinese manufacturers to make an impression on European shores but thanks to young brands like BYD, the tide is turning in a more favourable direction towards the wave of new models arriving from the Far East.
And you can bet they are here to stay too. History has shown that models from unfamiliar markets take time to get a foothold in Europe, such as those from Japan in the 1960s and Korea in the 1980s, and the early impressions are that BYD has the makings of becoming a future powerhouse in the mould of Toyota/Honda and Hyundai/Kia.
Moreover, while a lack of competitive entries has been the death knell for other short-lived Chinese marques over here, BYD has led a shift in public opinion with some rave reviews for its largest models; the Atto 3, Seal, Sealion 7 and Seal U.
Praised for their quality designs, vast specifications, practical interiors and advanced electric powertrains, the BYD line-up therefore makes an ideal tool in taxi guise by proving lavish and economical for the driver while comfortable and spacious for the passengers.
Oh, and in case you were wondering, BYD stands for 'Build Your Dreams'.
Who Are BYD?
A huge player in the burgeoning EV market, not that you’d necessarily know that. Indeed, while BYD is a relatively new name to the British and European market, it has wasted no time putting a stamp on the industry, launching five models – four electric, one hybrid - in just two years.
It has made BYD the fastest-growing car brand in the UK to consolidate its position as one of the world’s biggest manufacturers for electric vehicles. In fact, it’s currently vying for top spot with Tesla on a global scale thanks to the huge success it has achieved in its native Chinese market.
Key to its success has been the foresight to source its own materials through one of its subsidiaries to develop its own patented ‘Blade’ battery technology. This method has allowed it to drastically cut down on production costs, funnelling investment instead into delivering a premium product while passing savings onto the consumer.
BYD Atto 3
Battery: 60.48kWh
Max Power: 201bhp
Range [Combined]: 260 miles
Charge Time:
DC 88kW 10-80% - 37mins
DC 88kW 30-80% - 29mins
AC 11kW 0-100% - 6hr 30mins
Seats: 5
Boot Space: 440 litres
The all-electric BYD Atto 3 has established itself as an alternative for other SUV taxi favourites, such as the MG ZS EV and Kia Sportage, that should be well worthy of your consideration.
Arguably the Atto 3’s strongest suit is its interior, which is as functional as it is funky to look at. As with all BYDs, the dashboard is utterly dominated by its digital touchscreen, which houses all the major controls. This includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which is literally a huge asset when using map apps from your phone since it can be enjoyed in full 12.8-inch glory on Active and Comfort trims or a vast 15.6-inches on the flagship Design model.
Better still, the touchscreen – as well as being huge and easy-to-navigate – has a special party trick in that it can niftily rotate from landscape to a more map-friendly portrait at the touch of a button.
It’s a feature that alone makes the Atto 3 – not to mention other BYD models – hugely appealing to taxi drivers from a functionality point of view, but it helps the minimalist design and quality materials, which are a big step forward on Chinese-origin models of yesteryear, completes the premium impression.
On the road, the Atto 3 makes use of a 60.48kW battery capable of 201bhp with 30-80% charging possible in under 30mins using a rapid charger, while passengers will appreciate the spacious head and legroom in the rear.
BYD Seal
Battery: 82.5kWh
Max Power: 308bhp (Design), 523bhp (Excellence AWD)
Range [Combined]: 354 miles (Design), 323 miles (Excellence AWD)
Charge Time:
DC 88kW 10-80% - 37mins
DC 88kW 30-80% - 26mins
AC 11kW 0-100% - 8 hours (Design), 6 hours (Excellence AWD)
Seats: 5
Boot Space: 400 litres
Front Luggage Space: 53 litres
The halo model in BYD’s range, while it takes a brave company to go directly up against the immensely popular Tesla Model 3, the BYD Seal is not only a competitive rival to its American superstar muse, it also betters it in many areas too.
From the slinky exterior design to the lavish interior, the Seal holds itself as a fully loaded premium electric saloon with impressive range and extraordinary performance on tap.
Two versions of the BYD Seal are available to choose from: the single-motor, rear-wheel drive BYD Seal Design or dual-motor all-wheel drive BYD Seal Excellence.
Both models make use of an 82.5kWh battery generating 308bhp in Design trim or a whopping 523bhp – capable of 0-60mph in less than four seconds – in Excellence AWD, while they achieve a combined range of between 323 and 354 miles.
Whichever model you choose, the BYD Seal is a refined place for drivers and passengers to spend time, while emphasis has been placed on ensuring a comfortable ride. There is even a panoramic glass roof which can be turned opaque at the touch of a button.
Then, of course, there is that infotainment screen...
BYD Sealion 7
Battery: 82.5kWh (Comfort, Design AWD), 91.3kWh (Excellence AWD)
Max Power: 308bhp (Comfort, Design AWD), 523bhp (Excellence AWD)
Range [Combined]: 300 miles (Comfort), 283 miles (Design AWD), 312 miles (Excellence AWD)
Charge Time:
DC 150kW 10-80% - 32mins (Comfort, Design)
DC 150kW 30-80% - 24mins (Comfort, Design)
DC 230kW 10-80% - 24mins (Excellence AWD)
DC 230kW 30-80% - 18mins (Excellence AWD)
AC 11kW 0-100% - 8hr 35mins (Comfort, Design), 9hr 35mins (Excellence AWD)
Seats: 5
Boot Space: 520 litres
Front Luggage Space: 58 litres
The BYD Sealion 7 enters the fiercely competitive performance electric SUV space currently dominated by the Tesla Model Y, Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6.
Building on the positive attributes of the BYD Seal, the quirkily named Sealion 7 gains a more practical interior and battery charging upgrades, as well as a more potent powertrain.
Three trim levels are available; front-wheel drive, single motor Comfort, all-wheel drive dual-motor Design (82.5kWh) and Excellence (91.3kWh). All models are powerful – either 308bhp or 523bhp – while range is officially quoted at a competitive 283 to 312 miles combined depending on which trim you choose.
As with other models in the BYD range, the interior is smartly appointed and well-kitted out with standard features across the range including that 15.6-inch touchscreen, dual-zone climate control, adaptive cruise control, heated/ventilated front seats and heated rear seats.
There is also an immense amount of room in the rear for passengers compared with its rivals, while the sizeable boot can swallow 520 litres of luggage, plus another 58 litres in the ‘frunk’.
Notably, the BYD Sealion 7 accommodates a 230kW rapid charger in Excellence trim, allowing for 30-80% recharging in just 18mins, rising to 24mins when going from 10-80%. Comfort and Design trims can accommodate 150kW and can go from 10-80% in 32mins.
BYD Sealion 7 Taxi Range Offers
BYD Seal U
Powertrain:
Boost – 1.5-litre (Petrol), 18.3kWh (Battery) Hybrid
Comfort - 1.5-litre (Petrol), 26.6kWh (Battery) Hybrid
Design AWD – 1.5-litre (Petrol Turbo), 18.3kWh (Battery) Hybrid
Max Power: 215bhp (Boost), 215bhp (Comfort), 319bhp (Design AWD)
Range [Combined]:
EV only – 50 miles (Boost), 78 miles (Comfort), 43 miles (Design AWD)
Total – 671 miles (Boost), 700 miles (Comfort), 540 miles (Design AWD)
Charge Time:
DC 88kW 30-80% - 35mins (Boost), 55mins (Comfort), 35mins (Design AWD)
Seats: 5
Boot Space: 425 litres
The largest model in the range, the BYD Seal U differs from its siblings by being offered as a plug-in hybrid, rather than as a pure EV.
This provides added peace of mind for taxi drivers by having an excellent full range (electric and petrol) of up to 700 miles depending on which trim you choose. Moreover, for those who spend much of their time in low-speed urban environments, the Seal U will travel for up to 78 miles in Comfort trim on zero-emission battery power alone.
As with other models in the BYD range, the Seal U is endowed with a sophisticated interior, being both comfortable and loaded with kit that make it pleasurable to spend time in.
Passengers will also benefit from generous head and legroom in the rear, while there is good space for three adults to sit in comfort.