India is under consideration by China’s leading electric vehicle manufacturer, BYD, for the launch of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), signaling a potential shift beyond its current focus on fully electric passenger cars. The company has initiated local assessments, including road trials that confirmed a combined range of 1,735 kilometers.
BYD India’s electric passenger vehicle head Rajeev Chauhan said the firm is prepared with its product range but is taking time to assess the size and reach of this technology within India. He clarified that the firm is looking at plug-in hybrids instead of conventional strong hybrids, and that the decision will not be based only on government subsidies.
PHEVs differ from conventional strong hybrids as they possess larger batteries that can be charged from an external source, enabling cars to run on electricity alone for a long distance before using the petrol engine. This technology could provide a solution for buyers worried about charging infrastructure and driving limits. Worldwide, BYD has built a significant plug-in hybrid business using its Dual Mode (DM) tech.
BYD’s international lineup includes the Seal U DM-i for Europe, the Sealion 6 for Australia, and the Shark 6 plug-in hybrid pickup. The firm also sells plug-in hybrid models under its Denza luxury label. BYD recently conducted road tests of its plug-in hybrid tech in India, achieving a distance of 1,735 km, according to Chauhan.
BYD Expands India Presence
BYD is exploring plug-in hybrids as it extends its footprint in India beyond the premium electric passenger vehicle category. On Friday, BYD launched Denza, its luxury car brand, in India, representing a major step in its strategy to compete more directly with established luxury manufacturers.
Denza is now fully owned by BYD and has been growing internationally after building a large base in China. The brand sold about 157,000 cars in 2025, with sales from January to October 2026 reaching roughly 135,000 units, based on reported brand sales data. BYD is bringing two Denza models to India, aiming at the top end of the luxury electric vehicle market.
The Denza Z9 GT, a high-performance electric grand tourer, has been launched at an introductory ex-showroom price of ₹1.57 crore, while the D9, a seven-seater luxury multi-purpose vehicle (MPV), is priced at ₹90 lakh. The Z9 GT offers a claimed driving range of up to 670 km and can accelerate from 0 to 100 kmph in 2.7 seconds, while the D9 offers a claimed range of up to 730 km. Both models are equipped with BYD’s second-generation Blade Battery.
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Bookings are now open with a reservation fee of ₹10 lakh for each model. The firm expects higher double-digit sales for Denza in the first few months, though it has not set a fixed target. Denza will run through a completely separate retail and service network instead of using BYD’s current dealerships.
Denza Retail Network Launch
Shrirang Joshi, head of sales, electric passenger vehicle business, BYD India, said Denza will have a separate retail structure, separate showrooms, separate workshops. Denza will initially operate in six cities — Mumbai, Gurgaon, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad — selected following market studies and interactions with prospective customers.
The company sold around 6,200 passenger vehicles in 2025, according to Chauhan, and had already surpassed that volume a couple of months before the end of the current year. Its cumulative passenger vehicle sales in India are expected to touch 20,000 units by December 2026. The company’s Atto 3 electric SUV has around 10,000 units on Indian roads, while the Sealion 7, positioned in the above-₹50 lakh segment, has crossed 5,000 units since its introduction around 18 months ago.
BYD currently runs 50 dealerships in India and plans to keep growing its network, though it has not announced a number for 2027. Regarding local manufacturing, the company said that any investment in car assembly or battery localization would rely on the business case and market opportunities.
Charging Infrastructure Plans
The company is also assessing requirements for its next-generation Blade Battery and Flash Charging infrastructure in India, citing challenges related to electricity grid configuration and regulatory issues.
Despite these challenges, BYD reiterated its long-term commitment to the Indian market. The company has been present in India since 2007 and plans to continue expanding its operations, considering India an essential automobile market for any global company.
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