BYD e6

BYD e6 (2010-2012)

The BYD e6 is an electric car from the Chinese manufacturer BYD Auto, a subsidiary of BYD Group. The vehicle has been used since 2010, particularly in taxi fleets, since the end of 2013 in Western Europe. In China, it is also used as the police cars.

Global launch

China

The first forty BYD e6 electric taxis were introduced in the city of Shenzhen in 2010. In the following year was made at the International Summer Universiade 2011, the use of further 250 taxis of this type. After the end of the event, the vehicles were integrated into the regular taxi service in the city.

Since May 2013, the model is also used as a taxi in Hong Kong and since November 2013, in Wuzhou. In total there are around 800 BYD e6 in China in the taxi service.

Even the world's largest car rental company Hertz has added the model in its fleet. The vehicle will be handed over with the battery fully charged, so that the customers do not have to worry about charging at a one-day rental. Since the beginning of 2013, the BYD e6 is also used as a police vehicle in Shenzhen; provided is the delivery of a total of 500 vehicles.

Netherlands

Since December 2013 the BYD e6 in Rotterdam as a taxi in use. The Rotterdam taxi Center will initially acquire 25 electric cars. 500 charging stations installed by the city administration so far has been (2013 version).

USA

The vehicle was first introduced at the 2009 North American International Auto Show in Detroit and shown there in 2010 again. The model should hit the U.S. market in the course of 2010, however it is not available until today. The delays are attributed by experts on the competition is already in the U.S. selling electric cars Chevrolet Spark EV and Tesla, which are not yet sufficient number of charging stations as well as on reservations of many customers on Chinese products. Meanwhile, the company has stated that it will initially focus on the marketing of BYD ebus in the USA.

Colombia

Since September 2013, in the capital Bogotá BYD e6 45 as a taxi in use. The taxi fleet is part of the Colombian Biotaxis Projects. The government has abolished import duties on electric cars expected in the following years with the import of more than 2,000 electric vehicles. The promotion of electric mobility is supported by the Clinton Climate Initiative ( CCI), a program of the Clinton Foundation.

Costa Rica

Since the end of 2013, the BYD e6 is also marketed in Costa Rica. He will initially be offered only as a taxi.

Equipment

All models are fitted as standard front and side airbags equipped with air conditioning, leather seats, a keyless go the comparable, keyless start system, and besides the usual with additional curtain airbags.

Specifications

The vehicle with a length of around 4.5 m and a hatchback is designated by the manufacturer as a crossover. As an engine, an electric motor is 90 kW and 450 Nm of torque.

The core of the model is a self-developed by BYD lithium iron phosphate battery. These recyclable high-energy cell (60 kWh) is considered safe (no thermal runaway ) and environmentally friendly ( no heavy metals or toxic electrolytes). According to the manufacturer, the stored energy is sufficient to deal with the BYD e6 to cover 300 kilometers without recharging. The top speed of 140 km / h. According to the manufacturer, the battery is fully charged within 15 minutes to 80 % after 2 hours total to 100 %.

Standard specification included an antilock braking system with electronic brake- force distribution.

Accidents

• On May 26, 2012, in the Chinese city of Shenzhen, a serious accident occurred with a BYD e6. The event was commented world. In German car magazines, the message quickly led to a critical and in the tabloids to a partially little serious reporting on the safety of electric cars in general.

• In June 2013, arrived in Hong Kong to fire a small charging station. According to the manufacturer resulted in a loose connection of the vehicle to overheating and melting of the fixed to a wall charger. Following the accident all BYD charging stations were shut down temporarily in place and been so shut down the electric taxi fleet in Hong Kong.