BYD set to sell electric car e6 in U.S. for $40,000

Shanghai, May 19 (Gasgoo.com) China's electric car maker BYD Auto is set to starting selling its electric car e6 in the United States later this year, and the BYD e6 is likely to be priced at about $40,000, People's Daily reported today. 

On May 17, BYD Auto delivered 40 all-electric e6 cars to the Shenzhen-based Pengcheng Electric Taxi Company in southern Chinese province of Guangdong, making Shenzhen the first Chinese city to have electric taxis in service. BYD plans to put 100 e6 taxis on Shenzhen's roads by the end of June.

Meanwhile, preparations for the BYD e6's entry into the U.S. market are well under way, said Xia Zhibing, general manager of BYD Auto. The newly established BYD North American sales headquarters in Los Angeles will sell the alternative-energy cars. The BYD e6 has passed all necessary tests in the U.S.

As an SUV-MPV crossover model developed by BYD, the e6 car measures 4,560mm x 1,822mm x 1,630mm, with a 2,830mm wheelbase, and has only five seats in the spacious car body to ensure passengers' comfort. It can run up to 300km on one charge. It has a start-up time of less than 10 seconds and its speed can peak at 140km/h.

The BYD e6 uses the eco-friendly rechargeable super-iron battery and starter battery. The super-iron battery can be charged in slow-mode with a 220V power adapter and a 3C adapter in fast charge, filled to 80% within 15 minutes.

The e6 electric car's entry into the U.S. market this year will mark a historic moment for Warren Buffet-backed BYD. The selling price of $40,000 may drop after the car's production and sales increase.