BYD officially launched its new entry-level electric SUV Friday. The BYD Song L, starting at around $26,700 (189,800 yuan), will rival Tesla’s Model Y in China.
BYD introduced the Song L concept at the Shanghai auto show in April. After opening pre-orders on October 13, BYD said it had received over 11,000 hand-raisers in 17 days.
Now, that number is nearly 30,000. As of Friday, the new electric SUV has gathered 28,350 pre-orders.
BYD officially began Song L sales in China Friday with prices from 189,800 – 249,800 yuan ($26,700 – $35,100). Opening prices are about 30,000 yuan lower ($4,200) than pre-sales.
The new electric SUV is available in five trims with between 550 km (341 mi) and 662 km (411 mi) CLTC range.
BYD is offering “financial gifts” for early buyers, including 0% interest for 24 months or a down payment as low as 15%. It’s also offering deals on charging and connectivity features like online navigation and free car data.
BYD Song L electric SUV (Source: BYD)
Meet the new BYD Song L electric SUV
The new Song L is arguably the sleekest SUV from BYD yet. It features BYD’s “hunting dragon face” and “hunting design.” The low-lying profile highlights the sporty SUV’s design.
It’s available in five colors: orange, light blue, white, black, and gray. Interior colors include morning light, white sand beach, and wilderness starry sky.
BYD Song L (Source: BYD)
Inside, you will find 15.6″ floating infotainment and 10.25″ instrument display screens. It also includes a new “BYD Heart,” integrated sports seats, and a 50″ head-up display.
At 4,840 mm (190″) long, 1,950 mm (77″) wide, and 1,560 mm (61″) tall, the Song L will rival Tesla’s Model Y (L – 4,760 mm, W – 1,921 mm, H – 1,624 mm).
BYD Song L trim
Price
Battery
CLTC Range
Exceed 550 km
189,800 yuan ($26,700)
71.8 kWh
550 km
Excellence 550 km
199,800 yuan ($28,100)
71.8 kWh
550 km
Exceed 662 km
209,800 yuan ($29,500)
87.04 kWh
662 km
Excellence 662 km
229,800 yuan ($32,300)
87.04 kWh
662 km
Excellence AWD 602 km
249,800 yuan ($35,100)
87.04 kWh
602 km
BYD Song L trims
Tesla’s Model Y starts at 266,400 yuan ($37,400) with up to 554 km (344 mi) CLTC range. The long-range version with up to 688 km (427 mi) costs 306,400 yuan ($43,000).
The BYD Song L has three powertrain options: 150 kW, 230 kW, and an AWD version with 380 kW peak power. Powered by BYD’s Blade Battery, the EV is offered in 71.8 kWh and 87.04 kWh options.
Electrek’s Take
BYD is closing in on Tesla in global EV sales as we near the end of the year. The new Song L is aimed at Tesla’s hot spot in mid-size electric SUVs.
BYD delivered 431,603 EVs through September, within 3,500 of Tesla’s 435,059 vehicle deliveries. Can a new entry-level electric SUV put it over the edge in 2024?
With Tesla’s Cybertruck launching, the EV leader hopes to hang on to its lead. Meanwhile, BYD has several new EVs coming out, including the Sea Lion 07, another electric SUV. It’s also expected to launch the BYD UP, which was recently leaked by China’s MIIT.
It looks like we’re in for an exciting year-end EV sales race. Even better, EV leaders like BYD and Tesla are stealing market share in the top markets globally. Tesla’s Model Y is on pace to become the top-selling passenger vehicle in 2023, likely topping Toyota’s Corolla.
Climate XChange’s Annual EV Raffle is back for the 10th year running – and for the first time ever, Climate XChange has two raffle options on the table! The nonprofit has helped lucky winners custom-order their ideal EVs for the past decade. Now you have the chance to kick off your holiday season with a brand new EV for as little as $100.
About half of the raffle tickets have been sold so far for each of the raffles – you can see the live ticket count on Climate XChange’s homepage – so your odds of winning are better than ever.
But don’t wait – raffle ticket sales end on December 8!
Climate XChange is working hard to help states transition to a zero-emissions economy. Every ticket you buy supports this mission while giving you a chance to drive home your dream EV.
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Here’s how Climate XChange’s 10th Annual Raffle works:
Image: Climate XChange
The Luxury Raffle
Grand Prize: The winner can choose any EV on the market, fully customized up to $120,000. This year, you can split the prize between two EVs if the total is $120,000 or less.
Taxes covered: This raffle comes with no strings – Climate XChange also pays all of the taxes.
Runner-up prizes: Even if you don’t win the Grand Prize, you still have a chance at the 2nd prize of $12,500 and the 3rd prize of $7,500.
Ticket price: $250.
Grand Prize Drawing: December 12, 2025.
Only 5,000 tickets will be sold for the Luxury Raffle.
The Mini Raffle (New for 2025)
Grand Prize: Choose any EV on the market, fully customized, up to $45,000. This is the perfect raffle if you’re ready to make the switch to an EV but aren’t in the market for a luxury model.
Taxes covered: Climate XChange pays all the taxes on the Mini Raffle, too.
Ticket price: $100.
Only 3,500 tickets will be sold for the Mini Raffle.
Why it’s worth entering
For a decade, Climate XChange has run a raffle that’s fair, transparent, and exciting. Every ticket stub is printed, and the entire drawing is live-streamed, including the loading of the raffle drum. Independent auditors also oversee the process.
Plus, your odds on the Luxury and Mini Raffles are far better than most car raffles, and they’re even better if you enter both.
Remember that only 5,000 tickets will be sold for the Luxury Raffle and only 3,500 for the Mini Raffle, and around half of the available tickets have been sold so far, so don’t miss your shot at your dream EV!
Climate XChange personally works with the winners to help them build and order their dream EVs. The winner of the Ninth Annual EV Raffle built a gorgeous storm blue Rivian R1T.
How to enter
Go to CarbonRaffle.org/Electrekbefore December 8 to buy your ticket. Start dreaming up your perfect EV – and know that no matter what, you’re helping accelerate the shift to clean energy.
Who is Climate XChange?
Climate XChange (CXC) is a nonpartisan nonprofit working to help states pass effective, equitable climate policies because they’re critical in accelerating the transition to a zero-emissions economy. CXC advances state climate policy through its State Climate Policy Network (SCPN) – a community of more than 15,000 advocates and policymakers – and its State Climate Policy Dashboard, a leading data platform for tracking climate action across the US.
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The CSC Monterey – one of the most charming little electric scooters on the US market – has dropped to a shockingly low $1,699, down from its original $2,899 MSRP. That’s nearly half off for a full-size, street-legal electric scooter that channels major Honda Super Cub energy, but without the gas, noise, or maintenance of the original.
CSC Motorcycles, based in Azusa, California, has a long history of importing and supporting small-format electric and gas bikes, but the Monterey has always stood out as the brand’s “fun vibes first” model. With its step-through frame, big retro headlight, slim bodywork, and upright seating position, it looks like something from a 1960s postcard – just brought into the modern era with lithium batteries and a brushless hub motor.
I had my first experience on one of these scooters back in 2021, when I reviewed the then-new model here on Electrek. I instantly fell in love with it and even got one for my dad. It now lives at his place and I think he gets just as much joy from looking at it in his garage as riding it.
You can see my review video below.
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The performance is solidly moped-class, which is exactly what it’s designed for. A 2,400W rear hub motor pushes the Monterey up to a claimed 30 mph or 48 km/h (I found it really topped out at closer to 32 mph or 51 km/h), making it perfect for city streets, beach towns, and lower-speed suburban routes.
A 60V, roughly 1.6 kWh removable battery offers around 30–40 miles (48-64 km) of real-world range, depending on how aggressively you twist the throttle. It’s commuter-ready, grocery-run-ready, and campus-ready right out of the crate.
It’s also remarkably approachable. At around 181 pounds (82 kg), the Monterey is light for a sit-down scooter, making it easy to maneuver and park. There’s a small storage cubby, LED lighting, and the usual simple twist-and-go operation. And it comes with full support from CSC, a company that keeps a massive warehouse stocked with components and spare parts.
My sister has a CSC SG250 (I’m still trying to convert her to electric) and has gotten great support from them in the past, including from their mechanics walking her through carburetor questions over the phone. So I know from personal experience that CSC is a great company that stands behind its bikes.
But the real story here is the price. Scooters in this class typically hover between $2,500 and $4,500, and electric retro-style models often jump well above that.
At $1,699, the Monterey is one of the least expensive street-legal electric scooters available from a reputable US distributor, especially one that actually stocks parts and provides phone support.
If you’ve been curious about swapping a few car errands for something electric – or you just want a fun, vintage-styled runabout for getting around town – this is one of the best deals of the year.
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In the Electrek Podcast, we discuss the most popular news in the world of sustainable transport and energy. In this week’s episode, we discuss a big Tesla Robotaxi setback, the new Mercedes-Benz CLA EV, Bollinger is over, and more.
Today’s episode is brought to you by Climate XChange, a nonpartisan nonprofit working to help states pass effective, equitable climate policies. Sales end on Dec. 8th for its 10th annual EV raffle, where participants have multiple opportunities to win their dream model. Visit CarbonRaffle.org/Electrek to learn more.
As a reminder, we’ll have an accompanying post, like this one, on the site with an embedded link to the live stream. Head to the YouTube channel to get your questions and comments in.
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After the show ends at around 5 p.m. ET, the video will be archived on YouTube and the audio on all your favorite podcast apps:
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Here’s the live stream for today’s episode starting at 4:00 p.m. ET (or the video after 5 p.m. ET:
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