Volkswagen inks battery deal with BYD?
BYD F3DM - Click above for an image gallery
Remember BYD's non-toxic and somewhat edible battery technology? These lithium iron phosphate batteries can reportedly be produced at a relatively low cost and are already being used by BYD in its own F3DM plug-in hybrid. The Chinese automaker had previously announced that it was in talks with two European and one North American automakers to license this technology. According to reports coming from China, one of those European companies is Volkswagen.
Workers from the Chinese automaker will soon travel to VW's headquarters in Germany to demonstrate the technology. We're not yet sure what other automakers are in talks with BYD, but the company claims to have several more interested parties. BYD's hybrid vehicles are currently only available in China, but the automaker has said it has plans to launch electric vehicles here in America at some point.
Gallery: 2009 BYD F3DM plug-in hybrid
[Source: Gasgoo via Green Car Advisor]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Rex 11:03AM (4/28/2009)
Am I the only one who saw the picture and thought Camry/Corolla mix?
Reply
Kumar 11:46AM (4/28/2009)
Hopefully this means the Golf twin-drive is closer to reality. I'd love to be able to drive to/from work on batteries, then switch to diesel for highway trips out of town.
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jharlan 6:59PM (4/28/2009)
Kumar, I think you have something there. I predict a TDI hybrid that will knock it out of the park! I would expect 70 MPG.
Andy 4:37AM (4/30/2009)
What ... an article mentioning BYD without the GM marketing troll advising us on Chinese crash test performance.
Dis he get his pink slip?
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