1,008 km of range, 5 minutes to charge, and a price of 32,700 euros: the new BYD Han goes on sale

BYD has unveiled a new flagship for its F-segment sedan lineup. It is the Han EV, a large-sized model set to hit the Chinese market on October 13th. This vehicle aims to combine the image of a premium sedan with performance far exceeding that of typical models in this segment, with sales starting in just two weeks.

The exterior design retains the “dragon face” styling language that BYD is implementing across its Dynasty series models. The front features light clusters connected by a luminous strip along with distinctive elements inspired by dragon whiskers. It also includes an active grille in the center and side air intakes that, along with the daytime running lights, aim to give the overall appearance a wider look. The sedan is available in various color combinations, including four two-tone body colors that are offered at no additional cost during the pre-order phase.

The side view makes it clear that we are looking at a large car. The Da Han measures 5.26 meters in length, 2.00 meters in width, and 1.51 meters in height, with a wheelbase of 3.13 meters. Its profile features a sloping roof line and a rising beltline, giving it a certain sporty sedan appearance despite its size. 20- and 21-inch tires are available, while the rear features headlights connected by a light strip and an interior design inspired by traditional Chinese knots.

Inside, BYD has aimed for a design that resembles a luxury sedan rather than a conventional electric car. The cabin features contrasting materials, including natural white ash wood trim and seats with rhombus-patterned upholstery. It also includes a digital dashboard and a large central screen, along with a lower area featuring wireless charging and open storage spaces. The rear seats can be equipped with privacy glass that allows adjustment of transparency, as well as a sound system by Devialet featuring as many as 31 speakers.

The technological equipment will also be one of the highlights of the Da Han. BYD will install the DiSus-A dual-chamber air suspension, capable of adjusting the vehicle’s height by up to 100 millimeters, while the DiPilot/TianShen Zhi Yan-B driving assistance system, in its Lidar-equipped configuration, will provide assistance for urban and highway driving as well as automated parking.

The electric lineup will include a rear-wheel-drive version with a single 370 kW motor, equivalent to around 503 horsepower, and another with two motors for all-wheel drive. In the latter case, a 200 kW front motor is combined with a 370 kW rear motor, achieving a total power of 570 kW, or about 770 horsepower, allowing it to reach 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds and a top speed of 270 km/h.

The new Han EV features a 102 kWh battery, using BYD’s second-generation Blade battery. Depending on the configuration, its certified range under China’s CLTC cycle ranges from 820 kilometers for the base version to 1,008 kilometers for the most powerful model. For reference, our estimate suggests that those 1,008 kilometers under CLTC would equate to around 877 kilometers under Europe’s WLTP cycle, though the final figure will depend on the relevant certification.

Rapid charging is another strength of this model. The Han features BYD’s ultra-fast charging technology integrated with its high-voltage architecture, which can deliver power levels in the megawatt range at compatible charging stations. BYD claims that vehicles equipped with this technology can regain about 400 kilometers of range in just 5 minutes, while its second-generation battery allows the charge level to go from 10% to 70% in around 5 minutes and from 10% to 97% in approximately 9 minutes under the conditions specified by the brand.

This makes the new BYD Han one of those electric cars where battery capacity is no longer the only factor for long trips. With over 1,000 kilometers of CLTC range, which we estimate to be around 700 kilometers in real conditions, and charging speeds of this caliber, BYD is aiming to bring the refueling experience of gasoline cars closer to that of its electric models. The question now is to see how well these figures hold up outside of China, especially regarding price, and what charging infrastructure will be needed to make use of them in Europe.

For now, the BYD Han EV will launch in China with a pre-order price starting at 249,900 yuan, which is approximately 32,700 euros at the current exchange rate, while the most expensive version costs 299,900 yuan, equivalent to 39,200 euros. These prices are quite competitive even for the Chinese market, and for comparison, the Tesla Model 3 Long Range rear-wheel-drive model in that market costs 259,500 yuan. It is a model from a lower segment with an CLTC range of 830 km.