BYD overtakes Tesla to become world’s biggest EV producer

BYD has taken Tesla’s crown as the world’s biggest electric vehicle manufacturer. The Chinese EV company, backed by Warren Buffet’s Berkshire Hathaway, sold more cars than Tesla in the first half of the year; BYD totalled 641,000 vehicle sales, but Tesla only saw 564,000 purchases. Compared to the same period last year, BYD has seen a 300% increase in sales.

Tesla has said that supply chain issues due to lockdowns have caused the dip in trading; Tesla’s factories are based in areas hit by coronavirus restrictions, whereas BYD’s plants are not. BYD is also increasing its market share for EV batteries, becoming the second-biggest maker after CATL, putting LG Energy in third position. Again, lockdowns in China are being blamed for LG Energy’s lower output since April.

The first EV from BYD to arrive in Europe was the Tang. The all-electric SUV has up to 528 km (~328 miles) range from an 86.4 kWh battery, which can fast-charge from 30% to 80% in 30 minutes. A motor with up to 380 kW power and 680 Nm torque provides a top speed of 180 kph (~112 mph). The AWD vehicle can accelerate from 0 to 100 kph (0 to 62 mph) in 4.6 seconds. The BYD Tang is available to pre-order in Europe, having launched in Norway last year for 599,900 NOK (~€58,178 or US$59,998).

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