BYD teases new e7 electric sedan as affordable alternative to Seal

BYD is riding a wave of new model releases. This time, the Chinese car and battery maker teases with pictures of the e7, a mid-size all-electric sedan that blends cost-efficiency with practicality. While official specs remain restricted, there’s a strong indication of the vehicle’s place in BYD’s growing lineup.

The Chinese automaker revealed the e7 through teaser images earlier this month, highlighting its silhouette and sleek proportions without fully disclosing specifications or pricing. 

Cost-efficient design

However, thanks to the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), the first complete picture and much of the key data are already public. The e7 measures 4,780 mm in length, 1,900 mm in width, and 1,515 mm in height, with a 2,820 mm wheelbase. Those numbers place it slightly below the all-electric Seal in BYD’s hierarchy.

With a weight ranging between 1,499 kg and 1,566 kg, the e7 is relatively lightweight, considering it’s an all-electric vehicle. The design is low-cost, judging by the traditional door handles, which replace the flush, retractable ones found on higher-positioned EVs like the Seal. It also rides on 16-inch wheels, further emphasizing a cost-conscious approach.

The e7 is powered by a single electric motor delivering 100 kW of peak power, enough for a 150 km/hour top speed. Battery options, revealed in official filings, include a 48 kWh pack with a CLTC range of 450 kilometers and a larger 57.6 kWh version offering up to 520 km of range.

Both packs use BYD’s proprietary lithium iron phosphate (LFP) Blade Battery technology, which is known for its stability, long cycle life, and cost-efficiency.

Busy times

The e7 marks a rare return to BYD’s ‘e’ series branding, which has primarily been reserved for export markets, though not in Europe. This designation might indicate the ambition of a more international career for the electric sedan, where the name ‘e’ could become a budget line.

This would position the e7 as a lower-cost alternative to the Seal. Visual similarities between the two sedans are apparent. Unfortunately, pricing in the domestic Chinese marketplace remains under wraps.

The e7’s debut comes during a hectic period for BYD. In the past month alone, the company launched the Qin L EV sedan, Sealion 05 SUV, Denza N9 SUV, and ultra-premium Yangwang U7.

Pickup for the international market

The cascade of new models continues with the Shark 6 pickup, a serial hybrid unveiled at the Bangkok Motor Show with a price tag of around €46,000. Built on a body-on-frame structure, the Shark 6 measures 5,457 mm in length and has a 3,260 mm wheelbase—more extensive than the popular Ford Ranger. 

The driveline features a 1.5 L turbo engine that acts solely as a generator for two electric motors, producing 430 hp and 650 Nm of torque. This setup enables the 2,710 kg pickup to hit 0–100 km/hour in 5.7 seconds. It uses a 29.58 kWh Blade Battery and offers a range of up to 800 kilometers. 

The model is sold internationally, including in Mexico, Brazil, and Australia. We can only guess about a European debut. Whereas the Japanese brands are turning their backs on pickups for Europe, Chinese (Maxus T90), and South Korean (KGM Musso EV) brands are reintroducing them with zero-emission drivelines, which might not go unnoticed by BYD.