BYD Denza Electric Vehicle with 300KM Range

For the way I drive and the places I need to go, an electric vehicle is not even an option until driving range and charge time improves significantly. Something like a hybrid vehicle is more ideal for me but all-electric vehicles are still very useful and great for city driving. Consumers will continue to have more and more options for electric vehicles and the BYD Denza is just another example of this segment.

Daimler and BYD of China have teamed up to create the BYD Denza all-electric vehicle which was unveiled at the Beijing Auto Show. The Shenzhen BYD Daimler New Technology Co. joint venture utilizes Daimler’s expertise in manufacturing vehicles and BYD’s battery technology.

The BYD Denza is powered by a 115 horsepower (86kW) all-electric engine which allows the vehicle to travel a maximum speed of 93mph (115 km/h) and 214 lb-ft of torque. The driving range on the Denza is quite impressive with a maximum range of 186 miles (300 kilometer) while the battery can be charged via a standard household power outlet, special wall boxes, and public charging stations. Charging time can take as long as seven hours via standard house outlets or as quick as under an hour depending on the charging method.

The BYD Denza electric vehicle has been designed around a 47.5 kWh lithium-iron phosphate battery (not to be confused with a lithium-ion battery) which is framed by a lightweight aluminum case with extrusion profiles. The battery is located underneath the body of the vehicle and in case of an accident, the battery is disconnected automatically and discharged to levels below critical values.

The BYD Denza has room for five passengers and features a 16.24 cu-ft trunk. The vehicle is available in two trims with the “Lifestyle” version featuring 18-inch allow wheels, leather seats, and an eight-inch multimedia touchscreen. The “Executive” version features a Harman-Kardon sound system, Xenon lights with an adaptive front lighting system, and an navigation unit.

The vehicle is expected to go on sale in late 2014 with a hefty price tag of $59,250 but the BYD Denza is eligible for local and central subsidies which can bring down the price by an additional $19,268. I don’t know about the build quality but the vehicle looks pretty decent in terms of exterior design and interior layout.