BYD signs agreement to import EVs to Spain
BYD e6 electric MPV - Click above for high-res image gallery
BYD's Wang Chuan-Fu has signed an agreement with Spanish distributor Grupo Bergé to import BYD electric cars to Spain. As a consequence, two BYD models are already included in the list of eligible models for the Movele plan, Spain's subventions for the purchase of EVs.
Grupo Bergé hopes to sell a chunk of BYDs among the expected 2,000 EVs that will benefit from the direct subventions in 2010. The first BYD that might go on sale in Spain is the same as the one to be launched in the States, the five-seat e6 crossover. That model was announced at just over $40,000 – a price that would make it reasonable for the European markets.
Gallery: BYD e6 electric MPV
[Source: El Mundo]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Nick From Montreal 11:17AM (9/26/2009)
Funny enough, I find this design more appealing than the LEAF. If I was going to get an electric hatchback, that would be the one.
However, I wish BYD would concentrate on bringing the prices of battery packs way down -- like they've done for consumer electronics. At most, they could maybe do an inexpensive powertrain to compete with the Lotus design. They would make a bigger impact this way...
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Mohannair70 1:13PM (9/26/2009)
Tata is launching their Indica Vista EV in Spain in mid 2010. Tata's are also launching the EV version of the 1 tonne ACE pickup. The ACE is being converted by a Tata subsidiary Hispano Carrocera which makes bus bodies. This according to the news article below:
http://www.levante-emv.com/motor/2009/09/20/tata-motors-apuesta-sostenibilidad-gama-electrica/633091.html
Quoting the news article, it has the following information about the Indica Vista EV
"According to the managers responsible for the Indian firm has a capacity of 106 Ah, with a voltage of 250 V, and a recharge time 100% of 8 hours.
Also, make sure a range of about 200 km, while its power is estimated at 40 Kw. With all that, and with a total weight of 1,340 kg, the Indica Vista EV has a top speed of 110 km / h takes 9 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 50 km / h."
The ACE EV was used in EXPOAGUA Zaragoza 2008. Hispano Carrocera had transferred 13 vehicles to used by the fair personnel. www.expozaragoza2008.es
http://www.hispano-net.com/in/pag/detalleNoticia55.html
Hispano Carrocera is also working with the Tata Motors European Technical Center (TMTC) based in England to build hybrid intra city buses.
http://www.hispano-net.com/in/pag/detalleNoticia59.html
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B_E_N 2:07PM (9/26/2009)
ehm...
I'm sure I placed this as a *reply* to #2 "Mohannair70 " s´ comment.
This is the second attempt (sorry for double-posting - I'll try to get the misplaced post deleted).
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"...power is estimated at 40 Kw. .... total weight of 1,340 kg, the Indica Vista EV .... takes 9 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 50 km / h. "
That doesn't add up in my book.
Unless the powerband is as lousy as that of an ICE - or even worse - a 40 kW ( ~ 54 hp ) motor would EASILY perform better than 9 (nine!) seconds to 50 km/h ( ~ 31 mph ).
We're not talking of launching a tank here. 1340 kg perhaps isn't lightweight but not really heavy. If that thing takes nine secs to 50 km/h, I'm sure it don't have even half that claimed power.
B_E_N 1:39PM (9/26/2009)
1) Looks - 7/10
( Good - conventional but nice )
2) Practicality / Usefulness - 9/10
( Great !! - all the grocerys and kids sport-equipment you need, easy loaded and easy accessable, also appears to have sufficient headroom at the rear seats. )
In short :
Form factor is SPOT ON for a broad variety of customers,
now there's the
Performance factor, and the
Price factor.
We're eagerly waiting !
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Mohannair70 3:01PM (9/26/2009)
B_E_N,
Apparently the Indica is using TM4 electric power train, made by a Canadian company.
The website link for the power trains provides the following
Torque (Peak)
≥1350 Nm
Torque (Continuous)
550 Nm
Power (Peak)
55 kWm *
Power (Continuous)
37 kWm *
Operating Voltage
250-400 V
Minimum Operating Voltage 180 V
Cooling Water/glycol 55°C
* The power is available throughout the Operating Voltage range.
The battery technology is being provided by Electrovaya which is also another Canadian company which is in the forefront of Lithium Ion SuperPolymer battery to Miljø Grenland/Innovasjon which is a Norwegian company (now owned by Tata).
Indica Vista EV is going to be a car with Indian Shell, Canadian powertrain, Norwegian battery made from Canadian technology.
The car will be assembled in the Midlands, England for the European market. The car has been undertesting in real world conditions both in Norway and the UK under a year now.
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Mark Kiernan 5:29PM (9/26/2009)
Tata is low cost, so I hope their EV will continue that trend.
B_E_N 6:02PM (9/27/2009)
Mohannair70
Thanks for the info.
I have no idea where you're going with that. ?
Is 0 - 50 km/h in 9 sec. faster when you know the specs of the slouch ?
0 - 100 km/h in 9 sec. is slow-ish in todays traffic,
( and everyone knows it's the 50-100 part that takes time.. )
so, hey, 0 - 50 km/h in 9 sec. is just not acceptable.
Maybe they should install foot pedals ? ( feels like I could tow it to 50
just as fast with my bicycle ... )
Zero to 50 *M I L E S* per hour ( ~ 80 km/h ) in 9 sec. is s-l-o-o-o-w, but
0 - 31 mph ( 50 km/h ) is rediculous and shouldn't be allowed in traffic.
In fact, I don't think I've ever seen such a lousy figure publicised, ever, of any vehicle
( I've never seen a figure for steam trains, though ).
And now you present data of "peak power = 55 kWm *"
I don't know what "kWm" is in theoretical terms (never heard of it)
Newton-meter on the contrary is the established metric definition of torque, and
while "≥1350 Nm" is a healthy value, the real proof of the pudding is in the performance figures.
No, the figures still don't add up in my book.
Chris M 6:50PM (9/27/2009)
B E N:
I'd have to agree that "0 to 50kph in 9 seconds" is anemic acceleration, and with that power it should do better. I can only think of two explanations -
1) it is a typo, and the real performance is better than that, or
2) this is a NEV class slow speed vehicle, with a 50 kph top speed.
I really hope it is just a typo, there are more than enough NEVs on the market.
jpm 5:02PM (9/26/2009)
BYD has got a lot of proving to due in terms of reliability, longevity, and performance being a new car company from China. I hope they are successful though because I want to see as many EVs on the road as possible.
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JasonN 12:39PM (9/27/2009)
Good Stuff!
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Chris M 6:52PM (9/27/2009)
Don't fret it, everyone makes misteaks sometimes. The only time a post is removed is if it is blatant spamming or scam spam that someone has reported.
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