When it comes to the hopes and dreams built around the electric vehicle sector, no manufacturer in the world seems to have as many as the Chinese firm BYD. With nearly all their attention and money going into the development of electric models, we’re likely to see an invasion of Chinese EVs on the roads of tomorrow, an invasion which was confirmed this week by BYD.
Taking advantage of the one-year anniversary of the all-electric vehicle taxi fleet, deployed with the Shenzhen-based Pengcheng Electric Taxi Company, BYD announced that the e6 five-seat crossover in use as a taxi is not the only vehicle with an electric power train that will wear their logo. Even if, says BYD, the models tested have by far exceeded expectations.
“This fleet of 50 e6 taxis has survived the very harsh operating conditions of hot Shenzhen summers and a very cold winter this year, and drivers and passengers alike have been extremely satisfied with their ride experience,” said Stella Li, BYD senior vice president.
Aside for the e6, BYD is currently testing two other electric models, the F3DM and the eBUS-12. Had the company decided to go for mass production of any of the models next week, it would have built on the 1.769 million all-electric miles its cars have managed to clock so far.
At the same time, BYD is working with German manufacturer Daimler to create yet another EV, one which, according to rumors, has already entered prototype stage. The model will be, designwise, a combination between a sedan and a crossover, built with much more traditional lines that the EVs of our day.
