BYD Han
Segment: Budget-friendly urban car
Segment: Premium luxury sedan
Estimated Price: $55,000 β $75,000 CAD
New car competitors: Mercedes EQE, Tesla Model S, BMW i5
Canadians are permitted to incorporate exclamation marks to their names. As such, the Han may just be the punctuation you seek. BYD went out-of-house for their flagship, trusting its design to Wolfgang Egger, previously the design director at Lamborghini, Alfa Romeo and Audi. The Han is built to rival the best of the best, regardless of geography. Sporting BYDβs Dragon Face design, this editor hopes that this design language trickles down across BYDβs line.
| Specification(*: approx) | EV (Standard) | EV (Long Range) | EV (Performance) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battery | 76.9 kWh LFP Blade | 85.4 kWh LFP Blade | 85.4 kWh LFP Blade |
| Range (CLTC) | 506 km | 610 km | 550 km |
| Real-World Range* | 380 km | 460 km | 420 km |
| Motor | 180 kW (241 hp) | 180 kW (241 hp) | 380 kW (510 hp) dual |
| 0-100 km/h* | 7.9 seconds | 7.9 seconds | 3.9 seconds |
| DC Fast Charging | Up to 120 kW | Up to 120 kW | Up to 120 kW |
| Est. CAD Price | $55,000-$58,000 | $62,000-$65,000 | $70,000-$75,000 |
Luxury features:
- Nappa leather interior with quilted stitching
- 12-speaker Dynaudio premium audio system
- Ventilated, heated, and massaging seats (front and rear)
- Rear seat entertainment screens
- Air suspension (Performance trim)
- Fragrance system with multiple scent options
How does the BYD Han compare to the popular Tesla Model S?
| Metric | BYD Han Performance | Tesla Model S |
|---|---|---|
| 0-100 km/h | 3.9 seconds | 3.2 seconds |
| Range(*: approx) | 420 km real | 450 km real |
| Estimated Price | $70,000-$75,000 | $129,990 |
| Massage Seats | Yes | No |
| Air Suspension | Yes | Yes |
| Price Difference | Han is less | +$55,000 |
The target audience:Β Those who want a stellar vehicle without paying a stellar price.
BYD Models offered worldwide*
| Model | Est. Price CAD | Real-world Range | Body Style | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seagull | $20-25K | 200-280 km | City hatch | Budget urban commuting |
| Dolphin | $32-40K | 280-360 km | Compact hatch | Mainstream daily driver |
| Atto 3 | $36-42K | 290-350 km | Compact SUV | Families, SUV preference |
| Seal | $42-65K | 380-500 km | Sport sedan | Tesla Model 3 cross-shoppers |
| Seal U | $45-55K | 350-420 km | Mid-size SUV | SUV alternative |
| Tang | $65-80K | 450-550 km | 7-seat SUV | Large families, Model X value |
| Han | $55-75K | 380-460 km | Luxury sedan | Executive buyers, Model S value |
The Blade Battery Advantage
BYDβs proprietary Blade Battery technology (lithium iron phosphate (LFP) pack with a distinctive flat-cell design) is used in every BYD vehicle. The technology was tested using the following metrics:
Safety: Some EV batteries have succumb to a fire risk known as thermal runaway. The BYD Blade Battery passed a nail penetration test, showcasing its safety.
Cold tolerance: Many around the world demand reliable winter performance. In some parts of the world, temps can drop to -40 C. BYD claims that LFP chemistry handles temperature extremes better than NMC or NCA alternatives. When paired with BYD’s active thermal management, the Blade Battery seems to instil confidence for more reliable winter performance.
Longevity: BYD claims 3,000+ charge cycles to 80% capacity, which depending on the frequency of charging can last the lifetime of the vehicle.
Daily charging: It is recommended that EV and other rechargeable batteries be charged to 80%, to prevent accelerated degradation. BYD claims that the LFP can be charged to 100% daily, limiting the aforementioned risk.
BYD and public transportation in Canada
BYD and Uber released a joint statement announcing a βpartnership designed to bring 100,000 new BYD electric vehicles onto the Uber platform across key global markets.β The ride-share program would begin in Europe and Latin America, expanding into the Middle East, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
In large format, public transportation, BYD Canada announced that the Toronto Transit Commission aka TTC (Canadaβs largest and North Americaβs third largest transit operator) will put into operation, 10 zero-emission, 40-foot K9M battery-electric buses.
