The world’s #1 electric car manufacturer, BYD (Build Your Dreams), is working with a line-up of premium vehicles brought to India via the CBU route (completely built units). Whatever vehicles BYD is introducing for India, they are completely electric. Now, the auto-giant is preparing to launch a new PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle).
While the company hasn’t confirmed what it is or which route they will take to launch in India (CBU or CKD), we do know that it will debut on June 9, 2026. Speculation suggests that it may be the Ato 2 DM-i or the Clian 6 DM-i.
BYD Plugin Hybrid Launch
On their social media handle, BYD has teased that they will be launching their first plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, which will be called the ‘DM-i Super Plug-in Hybrid EV’ powertrain. The company has made quite a name for itself for premium and luxury electric vehicles and is keen to carve out a niche for premium PHEVs in India, which is in the early stages.
BYD has not confirmed whether this is just a start or a launch, but on June 9, 2026, there will be something big from BYD in the PHEV sector. BYD may launch two potential vehicles and both of them have been spied in India. One is the BYD Sealion 6 DM-i, which was spotted testing even before the Sealion 7 launch.
The other potential vehicle is the Auto 2 DM-i, which is smaller and could potentially arrive at an attractive price for a PHEV in India. We would like BYD to launch both the models at two different price points to allow better penetration of PHEVs among vehicles with electrified powertrains in the country.
what to expect?
In size, the BYD Atto 2 is similar to other C segment mid-size SUVs in the country like the Creta, Seltos, Duster and Sierra. It is powered by a 1.5L NA petrol engine that comes with 7.8 kWh or 18 kWh battery pack options, promising a combined range of up to 928 km and 998 km or a pure electric range of up to 40 km and 90 km respectively.
The BYD Sealion 6, on the other hand, is much larger in size, comparable to the Toyota Fortuner in length. It also has the 1.5L engine, but with a turbocharger and much larger battery pack options – 18.3 kWh and 26.6 kWh. The NA petrol PHEV setup is FWD only with 218 bhp and the turbo petrol PHEV versions get AWD as standard with a total system output of 344 bhp. The combined range can go up to 1,092 km and the pure electric range can go up to 140 km.