BYD Han first drive: A sleek introduction to a growing name in foreign EVs
BYD’s EVs may not be sold in the United States, but that wasn’t about to stop me from getting my hands on one. As the (self-proclaimed) resident expert on Chinese EV automakers here at Electrek, I felt a civic duty to you readers to get behind the wheel of the BYD vehicle, in this case a 2021 Han EV and report my initial thoughts about a brand that is quickly expanding en route to becoming a household name. Join me on my journey through sunny Southern California during my first driving experience with BYD.
Quick background. BYD, short for “Build Your Dreams,” is a Chinese manufacturing conglomerate founded in 1995, of which its BYD Auto subsidiary followed eight years later. With two decades of automotive experience under its belt, BYD Auto only recently built its final combustion vehicle, leaning further into its current status as one of the world’s largest plug-in EV manufacturers.
BYD’s full embrace of electrification has helped deliver a growing lineup of two separate series of EVs in the Chinese market, including the Han luxury sedan. Most recently, the automaker has looked to expand the global access of its all-electric products as well.
In the summer of 2022, BYD Auto shared plans to begin selling its EVs in the Japanese market followed by a vow of future EV deliveries in Germany and Sweden just over a week later. Other markets have been announced since including Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, France, Belgium, and, most recently, the UK.
To support its growing sales footprint overseas, BYD shared its intentions for at least one, if not two, manufacturing facilities in Europe. The company recently stated it’s more likely to build its own plant rather than inherit one from another automaker like Ford, for instance.
One of the EV models that will be a key offering in BYD’s expansion into Europe will be the Han sedan, and although it may not be for sale in the US, its North American team was able to get us access to one to try out. Here are my impressions.
The Han EV is BYD’s mid-size luxury sedan offering
Let’s start off with some specs so you have an idea of what I was working with during my week with the BYD Han. Unfortunately, because the Han is not sold in the US, I was driving a model built for China that had been adapted for US roads.
So I didn’t have access to all the features the EV has to offer, but was definitely more than able to experience the criteria that truly counts… I just didn’t have navigation. That said, I know my way around the South Bay of California pretty well these days (and also have that iPhone thing as a backup).
Furthermore, my first drive with BYD was in a 2021 version of the Han – once again, not a North American EV, so the company has not gotten a more recent model over to the West Coast yet. Still, the BYD Han had plenty to offer if only as an appetizer to a brand growing on a global scale.
The EV I was loaned was a dual motor, all-wheel-drive configuration powered by a 76.9 kWh pack featuring BYD’s unique LFP blade batteries. The pack combines for 550 km (341 mi) range (NEDC), and I can contest that actual range was over 300 miles.
As you can see in the images above, my BYD Han came in an “AI Blue” exterior complimented by 19″ two-tone aluminum alloy wheels. While its charging standard was GB/T (again, China), one of the coolest parts about the BYD Han’s exterior was its vehicle-to-load (V2L) capabilities. As you can see above, I was able to plug in a coffee maker and have some much needed caffeine to start my day, all powered by the EV itself.
My version of the Han was also the Lux trim, complete with a slew of high-end details, especially when you work your way inside. Check it out:
A sleek, spacious interior and a very smooth drive
Despite being in an EV not necessarily designed for my country, the BYD Han had a lot to offer me as a driver and even more for my passengers. As you can see in the images above, the textiles were a quality caramel leather, extending from the dash all the way back to the rear seats where the passengers can control most of the EV’s functions themselves on their very own touchscreen.
I had no trouble connecting my phone via Bluetooth and listening to my music, although I did find it funny that the system tried to showcase album covers for the bands I was listening to, but they were of Chinese artists that were clearly not a match in the best way.
I particularly enjoyed the air purification system that tells you the quality of the air outside the BYD Han and what the levels are inside the cabin for comparison. I also found the steering wheel buttons intuitive and easy to learn. The center tablet can display horizontally or flip vertically (two years before the Fisker Ocean did it, sorry Henrik), but I found I really didn’t really like the vertical screen. Anyways, how did the BYD Han drive? Let me tell you:
Overall I found the ride of the 2021 BYD Han to be smooth, efficient, and slightly sporty to boot. You can notice the low drag coefficient of 0.233 as the EV seems to cut through passing air resistance, especially as you flip to sport mode and really open it up.
It’s 0-62 mph acceleration in 3.9 seconds is definitely fast, but didn’t knock my socks off. Still, I took it up and down some windy roads and it handled everything with speed and ease. Not to mention a quiet interior, even with the panoramic roof open to get a whiff of that salty ocean air (sorry to those of you in the snow right now, I just had to rub it in).
I found the Han’s camera system to be better than good, offering a rear camera plus side and bird’s-eye looks to ensure nothing gets dinged. Very helpful. The trunk space (410 liters) left a bit to be desired in terms of multiple sets of golf clubs, but for a sedan of its size, it’s adequate. No frunk either as you can see above.
Perhaps everyone is just clueless around me, but I thought driving around in this sleek blue EV would be sure to turn some heads and have people wondering, “what the hell is that?” To my disappointment, that wasn’t really the case. There were definitely some Tesla drivers taking pictures and the occasional double take at a crosswalk though. Perhaps BYD needs to get its name out more in the US!
Overall, I found driving the BYD Han to be quite enjoyable, and you most certainly feel the luxury element when inside it, no matter what seat you’re in. As I’ve mentioned several times on other drives, I prefer really stiff regenerative braking, and the Han didn’t give me that, even on its highest setting, but the rest of its performance was above what I’d expect for its price range.
I truly appreciate the opportunity I had to test out an EV so rare (non-existent, really) for this market and get my first BYD drive off my checklist. I’m looking forward to comparing the Han to plenty more BYD EV drives as the company continues to expand in 2023 and beyond. Until then!
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A new review of US Energy Information Administration (EIA) data by the SUN DAY Campaign reveals that solar delivered almost 9% of US electricity in the first half of 2025. Wind and solar combined produced just over one-fifth of the country’s electricity, while renewables as a whole hit nearly 28%.
Solar’s record-breaking growth
EIA’s latest monthly Electric Power Monthly report (with data through June 30, 2025) confirms that solar kept its streak as the fastest-growing major source of US electricity. In June 2025 alone, solar soared. Utility-scale solar power plants cranked out 30.1% more electricity than in June 2024, while rooftop and other small-scale solar systems grew by 10.5%. Combined, solar generation jumped 25% year-over-year and made up 10.2% of US electricity that month.
Looking at the first six months of 2025, utility-scale solar expanded by 37.6%, and small-scale systems rose 10.7%. Together, they grew nearly one-third (29.7%) compared to the same period in 2024. That meant solar provided 8.7% of all US electricity in January-June, up from 6.9% the year before.
That’s a milestone: Solar is now producing almost 45% more electricity than hydropower (6.0%), and it’s generating more than hydropower, biomass, and geothermal combined.
Wind is still a front-runner
Wind turbines supplied 11.6% of US electricity in the first half of 2025 — a 2.4% boost compared to the same time in 2024. Wind’s output was almost double hydropower’s contribution.
Wind + solar are beating coal and nuclear
Together, wind and solar accounted for 20.3% of total US electricity in the first half of 2025, up from 18.6% last year. That’s a bigger share than coal or nuclear. In fact, wind and solar generated 25% more electricity than coal and 15.6% more than nuclear over the same period.
Renewables overall are surging
All renewable sources combined – wind, solar, hydropower, biomass, and geothermal – generated 27.7% of US electricity from January through June 2025, up from 26.1% a year ago. Their output grew three times faster than total US electricity generation overall (9.2% vs. 3.0%). Renewables are now second only to natural gas, whose generation actually dropped 3.7% in the first half of the year.
Ken Bossong, executive director of the SUN DAY Campaign, added that this growth happened before the passage of the Trump/Republican “megabill,” which could slow future renewable expansion. “Nonetheless, EIA notes that US developers expect half of new electric generating capacity to come from solar in 2025 and another 13% from wind.”
Read more: EIA: Solar outproduced wind for the first time ever in May
The 30% federal solar tax credit is ending this year. If you’ve ever considered going solar, now’s the time to act. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. It has hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use, and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them.
Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here.
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The new and improved Hyundai IONIQ 5, or the hot-selling Chevy Equinox EV? Which electric SUV makes the smarter lease? Here’s the rundown.
Over 607,000 electric vehicles were sold in the US in the first half of 2025, thanks to some big discounts. Many automakers are currently offering generous savings, as Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” is set to end federal EV incentives at the end of September.
According to Cox Automotive’s latest EV Market Monitor report, EV incentives reached a record of nearly $8,500 in June, or about 15% off the average transaction price (ATP).
That’s more than double the incentives offered on gas-powered vehicles. Seven electric vehicles had an ATP below $40,000, including the Chevy Equinox EV. The Equinox EV was the top-selling EV in the price range.
Starting at just $34,995, GM calls it “America’s most affordable 315+ range EV.” The electric Equinox has already propelled Chevy to become the number two EV brand in the US behind Tesla.
Through the first half of the year, the Chevy Equinox EV accounted for nearly a third of GM’s electric vehicle sales. And it could have sold even more. A dealer in California reached out to Electrek, claiming they had to wait over a month to receive Equinox EV models. It’s now on track to be among the top three selling EVs in the US.
Which EV to lease: Chevy Equinox EV or Hyundai IONIQ 5
With leases starting at just $289 per month, it’s no wonder the electric SUV is flying off the lot. The offer is for 24 months with $3,909 due at signing.
Alternatively, you can opt for 0% APR financing for 60 months, which Chevy is offering on all 2025 electric vehicle models.
| 2025 Chevy Equinox EV trim | Starting Price | EPA-estimated Range | Monthly lease Price (August 2025) |
| LT FWD | $34,995 | 319 miles | $289 |
| LT AWD | $40,295 | 307 miles | $351 |
| RS FWD | $45,790 | 319 miles | $416 |
| RS AWD | $49,090 | 307 miles | $453 |
The base 2025 Chevy Equinox EV LT starts at $34,995 with up to 319 miles of range. The interior boasts up to 57.2 cu ft of space and a 17.7″ infotainment screen.
How does it compare to the IONIQ 5? Hyundai has upgraded its best-selling electric SUV with major improvements, including increased range (now up to 318 miles), a revamped interior and exterior, and a built-in NACS port to access Tesla Superchargers.
After cutting lease prices again last month, the new and improved 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 is now listed at just $179 per month.
In some places, such as California and other ZEV states, Hyundai is offering leases starting at as low as $159 per month.
However, that’s for the base SE mode, which has an EPA-estimated driving range of 245 miles. The longer-range IONIQ 5 SE RWD, with 318 miles range, can still be leased for just $199 per month right now. Both offers are for 24 months with $3,999 due at signing.
| 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 Trim | EV Powertrain | Driving Range (miles) | Starting Price* | Monthly lease price August 2025 |
| IONIQ 5 SE RWD Standard Range | 168-horsepower rear motor | 245 | $42,500 | $179 |
| IONIQ 5 SE RWD | 225-horsepower rear motor | 318 | $46,550 | $199 |
| IONIQ 5 SEL RWD | 225-horsepower rear motor | 318 | $49,500 | $209 |
| IONIQ 5 Limited RWD | 225-horsepower rear motor | 318 | $54,200 | $309 |
| IONIQ 5 SE Dual Motor AWD | 320-horsepower dual motor | 290 | $50,050 | $249 |
| IONIQ 5 SEL Dual Motor AWD | 320-horsepower dual motor | 290 | $53,000 | $259 |
| IONIQ 5 XRT Dual Motor AWD | 320 horsepower dual motor | 259 | $55,400 | $359 |
| IONIQ 5 Limited Dual Motor AWD | 320-horsepower dual motor | 269 | $58,100 | $299 |
Hyundai is also throwing in a complimentary ChargePoint Level 2 home charger with the purchase or lease of a new 2025 IONIQ 5. All IONIQ 5 trims are listed with 1.99% APR financing for up to 60 months.
The 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 offers up to 59.3 cu ft of cargo space with a dual 12.3″ driver display and infotainment system setup.
Both the Hyundai IONIQ 5 and Chevy Equinox EV are hard to pass up right now, with lease prices expected to be as low as they will ever be.
Looking to snag the savings while they last? You can use our links below to find offers on the Chevy Equinox EV and Hyundai IONIQ 5 near you.
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Nissan has officially confirmed the icon will be making a comeback. Although Nissan is no longer building GT-R models, CEO Ivan Espinosa said Godzilla will “evolve and reemerge” in the future. Here’s what we know so far.
Nissan confirms the GT-R will evolve and reemerge
It seems like we’ve been talking about the next-gen Nissan GT-R for years now. After the last model rolled off the production line at the automaker’s Tochigi plant in Japan on Tuesday, Nissan’s CEO made it clear that the GT-R will be making a comeback.
After bidding farewell to the R35, Espinosa gave the many GT-R fans worldwide hope, saying, “I want to tell you this isn’t a goodbye to the GT-R forever.”
He added that it’s Nissan’s “goal for the GT-R nameplate to one day make a return.” Although this is the end of the line for the R35, the company remains committed to the GT-R nameplate and wants to “reimagine it for a new generation.”
According to Espinosa, Nissan doesn’t have any finalized plans yet, but he promised that “the GT-R will evolve and reemerge in the future.”
Nissan says the next Godzilla will ensure the GT-R’s legacy lives on, but will pack even more performance. The big question is, what type of powertrain will it arrive with? Will it be electric? A hybrid? Or, will it still be gas-powered?
At the New York Auto Show in April, Ponz Pandikuthira, Senior Vice President and Chief Planning Officer for Nissan North America, told The Drive that the next GT-R will be a hybrid, rather than an all-electric.
However, Nissan previewed an electric GT-R a few years ago with the Hyper Force EV concept. The electric sports car concept was promoted as a “game-changing hyper EV” with over 1,300 horsepower (1,000 kW).
All that power is expected to come from solid-state batteries. Just last week, Nissan secured a partnership with LiCAP Technologies to produce all-solid-state EV batteries on a mass scale, one of the biggest hurdles to getting the new technology to market.
Since Nissan aims to launch its first EV powered by solid-state batteries in 2028, we could see the GT-R reemerge as a plug-in hybrid until the technology is ready.
Either way, it will likely be a few years before we see an electrified Godzilla. If it evolves into an EV or hybrid, it remains up in the air for now.
While Nissan says an all-electric GT-R won’t deliver the performance needed to live up to the nameplate, others are proving otherwise. BYD’s first electric supercar, the Yangwang U9, set a new EV speed record this week after hitting nearly 300 mph.
How do you feel about it? Should the GT-R go all-electric? Or will Nissan settle for a hybrid? Drop us a comment below and let us know which one you’d buy.
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