Could this finally end the Toyota Camry's dominance? BYD solves driving range anxiety with new plug-in hybrid Seal DM-i sedan capable of 2100km from a full charge and tank

Locally known for its aquatically themed electric cars like the Seal sedan and Dolphin hatch, BYD is doubling down on plug-in hybrid technology, touting a new ultra-long-range powertrain.

BYD's Chairman Wang Chuanfu announced the fifth-gen hybrid technology with headlines including 2.9L/100km rated efficiency with a discharged battery and, with both tank and battery full, a driving range of 2100km.

It’s worth noting that these figures are based on China’s more lenient CLTC protocol. Still, if BYD decided to bring the Seal hybrid to Australia it could seriously impact the Toyota Camry’s ride-share market.

The powertrain is available in more than one configuration and launches in the updated  Seal 06 DM-i (which is our Seal electric car’s hybrid cousin sold in China), also known as the Qin-L.

Its flagship configuration puts a 74kW 1.5-litre petrol in tandem with a 120kW electric motor, with BYD not announcing a combined peak power figure, according to AutoHome. 

With a 15.86kWh (usable) battery – naturally manufactured in-house using BYD’s Blade tech – the Seal 06 DM-i can reportedly travel 120km on electric power in the CLTC. Combined with its fuel tank, the 2.9L/100km figure equates to 2100km of total driving range.

Compared to the Sealion 6 with its 18.3kWh battery and 92km electric driving range, the new smaller battery goes further, meaning the latest system is more efficient. 

The next plug-in hybrid BYD will launch in Australia is the Shark ute. It, too, uses a 1.5-litre petrol engine but with more powerful electric motors and a bigger, 30kWh Blade battery. The result is 320kW and 650Nm – more than a Ford Ranger Raptor on paper.

Proof will come when we get behind the wheel of BYD’s new fifth-gen hybrid system. It is proving popular in China, though.

After dropping prices between 10-22 per cent, BYD has increased its share of plug-in hybrid sales to become the majority with petrol-only Seal sedans now less popular in the brand’s home market.