BYD Yuan Plus gets a power and charging boost to fight slumping sales

Electric cars have changed the way we see the entire auto industry, and they have changed our expectations. Just when you think a model is the king of the road, someone else builds something better, and BYD isn’t the one to be waiting around for others to catch up. The company revealed the newest version of the Yuan Plus, which many drivers outside of China know as the Atto 3. This new version of one of the world's most popular EVs is a total rebuild that changes how the car drives and how fast it fills up its battery.

The new BYD Yuan Plus (marketed in global markets as BYD Atto 3 EVO) is much bigger than the old model. It now measures 183.7 inches long, 74.6 inches wide, and 65.9 inches tall. This makes it quite a bit larger than the previous version, which was only 175.4 inches long. The wheelbase has also grown to 109.1 inches. For people who have to carry groceries or sports gear, this extra size is a welcome change. The car looks more planted and solid on the road, especially with the choice of 18-inch or 19-inch wheels.

One of the biggest changes is something you cannot see from the outside - BYD moved the motor to the back. This is a big deal for how the car handles. Putting the power in the back usually makes a car feel more sporty and balanced - it seems BYD wants this SUV to be fun to drive.

The power numbers are also going up. Drivers can choose between two different motor sizes. The basic version offers 200 kW, which is about 268 horsepower. If you want more zip, there is a 240 kW version - that’s 322 horsepower. For a family SUV, that is a lot of muscle, certainly more than enough power to merge onto a fast highway without any stress. These numbers put the BYD Yuan Plus in a strong position against other EVs in its class.

Battery technology is where BYD really likes to show off. The new model uses the second generation of "Blade" batteries, already known for being very safe and thin. There are two battery sizes available. The smaller one is 57.545 kWh and gives the new Yuan 336 miles of range on a full charge. The larger one is 68.547 kWh and stretches that range to 391 miles. These ranges use the Chinese testing standard, so real-world driving will be a bit less.

The most shocking part of the update is the "flash charging" feature. Everyone hates waiting for their car to charge. BYD claims this new system can take the battery from 10% to 70% in only five minutes. If you wait just nine minutes, the car can reach 97% charge. Even more impressive is how it handles the cold. In freezing weather as low as -22°F, the charging only takes three minutes longer than usual. Most electric cars struggle badly in low temperatures, so this is a huge win for drivers in cold climates.

On the outside, the car follows BYD's "Dynasty" design style. It has a silver panel on the front and very slim, dark headlights. The bumpers have vertical vents that make the car look wider and more aggressive. A cool feature for people who like to stand out is the D-pillar - this is the part of the car's roof near the back. Owners can choose different colors for this panel to make their car look unique. It also has door handles that are "semi-hidden."

BYD needs this car to be a hit. Even though they sell a lot of electric cars, the Yuan Plus has had a rough time lately in China. Last year, it was selling over 10,000 units every month. Recently, those numbers dropped to only about 2,000 units in January and February. The competition is getting very fierce, and other companies are lowering their prices. By making the Atto 3 bigger, faster, and much better at charging, BYD hopes to convince buyers to come back.

Via