Plug, you fools! BYD Auto, China launches plug-in hybrid car

[Psurfer]

Never heard of BYD? you will; Warren Buffett bought a 9.9% stake in it.
http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/12/...-china/?hp

[Bill in NC]

And when the Chinese can make cars that don't fold like they're made of aluminum foil in crash tests (no, the engine is not supposed to end up in the driver's lap), then they can think about exporting them.

[RAMd®d]

Not a bad looking little car.

60mi is a short range in some aspects, but certainly as a second car it could suit many people.

I wonder how much the gas engine will add to the 60mi range. I assume it charges the batteries, as opposed to directly propelling the car.

Although a 1L engine seems a little big for that purpose.


This takes some chutzpah: http://jalopnik.com/344806/detroit-auto-...cobo-arena

[Racer X]

without the specs for the drive motor, its hard to speculate how big of an alternator it would take to run the car. But a 60 mile range is plenty for many urban commuters. My commute is now 30 miles RT, before it was 40. So even with errands after work or at lunch, it would work for me. Like I need a 5th car.......

The big deal is the 7 hour recharge time when plugged in. Most likely to a dedicated 15 amp 110 V outlet (hopefully)

[MikeF]

Sorry, 220 V required: