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BYD Seal U boasts a combined driving range of more than 1,200 km, supported by an 18.3 kWh Blade Battery, dual electric motors and a petrol engine
BYD has officially showcased the Seal U plug-in hybrid SUV in India. To arrive before the end of 2026, the Seal U will become BYD’s first PHEV for the local market with the biggest talking point being the claimed combined driving range of more than 1,200 km – supported by an 18.3 kWh Blade Battery, dual electric motors and a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine.
The SUV can also travel up to 70 km in pure electric mode before the petrol engine becomes necessary. Unlike conventional hybrids sold in India, the Seal U relies on electric propulsion. The DM-i Super Plug-in Hybrid system combines a 1.5-litre direct-injection turbo petrol engine with two electric motors and BYD’s proprietary Blade Battery technology.
BYD claims the petrol engine achieves a thermal efficiency of 43.04 per cent – making it one of the most efficient production hybrid engines currently available. The electric motors themselves operate at a claimed efficiency of 97.5 per cent helping maximise energy utilisation and reduce fuel consumption.
During normal city driving, propulsion duties are handled primarily by the electric motors while the petrol engine functions largely as a generator to keep the battery charged. Only under higher power demands does the engine directly drive the wheels. The system automatically switches between pure EV, series hybrid and parallel hybrid modes without requiring driver intervention.
BYD claims the Seal U can achieve 4.8 litres of petrol consumption per 100 km despite offering a total driving range of more than 1,200 km. Such figures place it well ahead of most conventional petrol-powered SUVs currently on sale in India. The 70 km electric-only capability could also allow many owners to complete daily commuting requirements without using petrol at all, particularly in urban environments.
The 18.3 kWh Blade Battery uses a lithium iron phosphate chemistry and it has been engineered to offer improved thermal stability, durability and safety compared to conventional battery technologies. The same Blade Battery architecture underpins several BYD electric vehicles globally and has become a defining element of the company’s advanced tech.
Vehicle-to-Load functionality is also supported allowing the Seal U to power external appliances and electronic devices directly from the battery pack. Hybrid passenger vehicle sales are currently dominated by Toyota and Maruti Suzuki products while plug-in hybrids are virtually absent from mainstream segments. BYD could carve out a unique position by offering customers a vehicle that combines electric driving capability with the convenience of a petrol-powered SUV.
Until now, the company’s local portfolio has been entirely electric consisting of models such as the Atto 3, Seal and eMAX 7. The addition of a plug-in hybrid SUV would allow BYD to target buyers who are interested in electrification but remain hesitant about depending solely on charging infrastructure for long distance travel.
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