Chinese car manufacturer BYD shows off plug-in electric hybrid

It looks like the hybrid electric vehicle BYD Automotive announced last October is as real as any of the concept cars that GM or Toyota are talking about. According to the excellent GM-Volt Chevy Volt concept car site, BYD is exhibiting a cut-away version of its  F6DM sedan at the Detroit Autoshow and says yes, their “iron battery” is lithium iron phosphate. (A123, supplier to GM of one of the battery types being evaluated for the Volt, uses lithium ion nanophosphate technology.)

The (pre-production) specs for the car include a 20 kWh lithium-ion battery pack capable of 60 miles of electric-vehicle range and 120 kW of peak power. After 60 miles the car’s  internal-combustion engine (ICE)  takes over and powers the wheels – a different approach from the Chevy Volt where the ICE never powers the wheels directly but only through charging the battery. BYD says the battery pack and power train combined cost about $6,000 (USD). Will it ever be sold in the US? BYD would sure like to, but delays including passing US regulations and lining up dealerships will push any US sales out 3-5 years.