BYD to launch all-electric car in H2, 2009

Shanghai, October 14 (Gasgoo.com) Chairman of BYD Auto Co said at the China Hi-Tech Fair yesterday that the company plans to launch its pure electric car by the second half of 2009, reported the Shanghai Securities News.

In a high-level CEO forum during the fair in Shenzhen city, southern China, Mr. Wang Chuanfu said the battery-powered all-electric car to come next year can run 400 km at one charge.

Buffett, the chairman and chief executive of Berkshire, has expressed his wish to drive the car at first hand by the time of its launch, added Wang Chuanfu.

U.S. billionaire investor Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Inc, announced in late September it would pay $230 million for a 10 percent stake in BYD to support the Chinese battery and auto company’s 'green' technologies.

Wang also confirmed that BYD is set to sell the F3DM hybrid in China by the end of this year. This F3DM hybrid combines hybrid and electric vehicle systems, with a 110km pure EV range. BYD said they can be recharged to 50% of capacity in just 10 minutes.

"Battery technology is our core expertise, and we think we are well-placed against GM and Toyota," said Chairman Wang Chuanfu at this year's Geneva show.