BYD’s latest all-electric saloon, the e7, has quietly begun arriving at dealerships across China after it was previously leaked.
The e7 is expected to be priced very low, potentially starting at 70,000 yuan or under €10,000, making it one of the world’s most affordable full-sized EV sedans.
The model offers a stripped-down but capable alternative in the booming budget EV segment. It symbolizes how the maturing Chinese market for electric cars is entering its next phase.
Positioned below the company’s more advanced models, the e7 is part of BYD’s ongoing strategy to cement its dominance in every corner of the electric vehicle market — from luxury SUVs to fleet-ready sedans.
From A to B
Roughly the same size as a Tesla Model 3, the e7 returns to BYD’s ‘e’ series branding — a range historically aimed at younger buyers and ride-hailing operators. That focus remains.
This isn’t an EV stuffed with high-tech gimmickry. Instead, the e7 is designed to move people and keep costs down. Dacia could get jealous.
Or rather, the Renault Mobilize Limo seems a better fit for the BYD e7 (though the Renault can’t be purchased privately and is offered by subscription only).
Two battery options are available: a 48 kWh pack with a range of 450 km and a larger 57.6 kWh unit good for up to 520 km on China’s CLTC test cycle.
Both rely on BYD’s Blade battery, which uses lithium iron phosphate (LFP) chemistry praised for its safety, long lifespan, and cost-efficiency.
Underneath its clean exterior, the e7 runs a single electric motor producing 100 kW (134 bhp) and can reach a top speed of 150 km/hour. It is not blistering by any measure but is adequate for daily city and suburban use.
A hint of Denza
What sets the new BYD apart is its deliberate pragmatism. It foregoes the flashy design elements found in BYD’s more premium Seal model in favor of conventional door handles, modest 16-inch wheels, and traditional split rear lights.
And yet, its styling isn’t entirely utilitarian. The front end strongly resembles the high-end Denza Z9, BYD’s answer to the Porsche Panamera, thanks to sharp LED headlights, a shark-nose grille, and a clean silhouette that ends in a subtle ducktail spoiler.
Inside, the e7 features a familiar BYD layout: a 15.6-inch touchscreen dominates the center console, accompanied by a smaller digital display behind the steering wheel.
The cabin design is clean and spare, trimmed in black with minimal frills. Rear passengers benefit from decent legroom, USB charging ports, air vents, and LED reading lights — though there’s no center armrest – a small but telling omission?
Taxi and ride-hailing services
The car’s 2,820 mm wheelbase is long enough to appeal to taxi and ride-hailing services, two of BYD’s target markets. Depending on the configuration, its weight is also favorable, ranging from 1,499 kilograms to 1,566 kilograms.
The timing of the e7’s arrival is notable. BYD is in a frenetic product rollout, having just launched the Qin L EV, Sealion 05, Denza N9, and the ultra-premium Yangwang U7.
In contrast, the e7 is understated, modest, and sharply priced. But its arrival underscores a much bigger point: BYD’s trickle-down strategy.
China’s number one EV brand no longer builds cars for tech-savvy customers. It’s building for everyone, and in the e7, it has made a car that puts utility and accessibility above all else. Currently, no plans for European export have been announced.
