The exhibited cut model mounts the motor and engine in the front.
The secondary Li-ion rechargeable batteries are mounted in the center tunnel, etc.
BYD Auto Co Ltd of China exhibited the F6DM, a plug-in hybrid vehicle that can be recharged from a home outlet, at the Detroit Motor Show (2008 North American International Auto Show).
Although on a small production basis, the car is reportedly slated for sale in China in 2008 at Rmb180,000 (about ¥2.7 million or US$25,123). The company hopes to debut the F6DM in the US market within several years, reporting that the car will be priced at about US$6,000 higher than its base model, the F6.
The F6DM employs a 1.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine with the maximum output of 50kW in combination with a 75kW motor and a 20kWh Li-ion rechargeable battery. It is capable of so-called EV driving in which the car runs on the battery and the motor alone. According to the company, the car can drive 100 km on one charge and then 330km as a hybrid vehicle.
The CO2 emissions when driving are only 70g/km. The battery can be fully recharged in 9 hours from a 240V home outlet. In the rapid-charging mode, the battery is recharged to 50% of its full capacity, the company said.
Iron phosphate is reportedly used for the positive electrode of the Li-ion rechargeable battery. It is superior in thermal stability. The battery has a current capacity of 60Ah and is guaranteed for 2,000 recharges. The data released by BYD shows that the 20kWh battery weighs 200kg, which means that its energy density per mass reaches 100Wh/kg.
Because the Li-ion rechargeable battery is located in the center tunnel and frame, only a recharger used for the plug-in charging and a power management system for the rechargeable battery should be mounted in the luggage room. The vehicle measures 4,858 x 1,821 x 1,465mm and weighs 1,800kg. The maximum speed is 160km/h.
The specifications announced by BYD indicate that the company's new car outperforms the plug-in hybrids under development by leading auto manufacturers in US and Japan. In addition, it costs only about ¥2.7 million, although the price is set for the Chinese market. F6DM could be a threat to these manufacturers when the technology is commercialized.
In fact, employees of major auto manufacturers in charge of hybrid system were present at BYD's press conference to find out whether or not the information is true.
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