BYD F3DM

BYD’s F3DM (the DM stands for ‘Dual Mode’) went on sale in China on December 15, 2008, giving this vehicle the historical distinction of being the world’s first mass produced plug-in hybrid electric vehicle to hit the market.

Specs

• Type: Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV)
• Class: Compact sedan
• Manufacturer: BYD
• Propulsion system: 1-liter 371QA aluminum gas engine gas + 50 kW electric motor for 125 kw (168 hp) total output
• Top Speed: 105 mph (170 km/h)
• Zero-to-60: 10.5 seconds
• All-electric vehicle range: 68 miles (100 km)
• Fuel(s): Electricity, conventional gasoline
• Battery system: Lithium iron phosphate
• Tailpipe emissions: Yes
• Price: $21,200

• First introduced at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show, Chinese automaker BYD’s F3DM (the DM stands for ‘Dual Mode’) went on sale in China on December 15, 2008, giving this vehicle the historical distinction of being the world’s first mass produced plug-in hybrid electric vehicle to hit the market. If the battle for this distinction resembled a horse race, BYD was bumped at the gate and forgotten as jockeys in Detroit and Tokyo hyped their horses, and not unlike Giacomo’s unlikely win at the 2005 Kentucky Derby, BYD galloped past them all to take the honor.

  However BYD has been in a good position to make this happen; they have a 30% share of the cell phone battery market, making them among the largest such producers in the world, they have the financial backing of Berkshire Hathaway, and they have an R&D team armed to the teeth with 3,000 employees.