The world’s leading EV maker, BYD, is taking aim at exotic car manufacturers like Ferrari and Lamborghini with the new Yangwang U9. BYD officially launched the Yangwang U9 electric supercar with a 0 to 62 mph (0-100 km/h) sprint in 2.36 seconds and a $233,400 (1,680,000 yuan) price tag.
BYD takes on new markets rivaling ICE car leaders
After launching its cheapest electric models (starting under $14,000), declaring a price war with gas-powered cars, BYD is taking aim at a new market.
BYD launched the Yangwang ultra-luxury brand last January, showcasing the off-road U8 and U9 electric supercar. In December, the brand began deliveries of its first vehicle, the U8 off-road SUV, with starting prices over $150,000 (1,089,000 yuan).
The luxury SUV has generated hype as a Mercedes G-Class and Land Rover Defender rival with 1,200 hp and premium features like tank turns and tire blowout stabilization.
BYD has even shown off the U8’s “float mode,” which helps the vehicle navigate through water during emergencies. In fact, the SUV made its debut in Europe at the 2024 Geneva Motor Show this week.
Last month, Yangwang introduced its first electric sedan, the U7. Info from China’s MIIT revealed the U7 features over 1,300 hp (960 kW) from four electric motors.
BYD Yangwang U7 (Source: Yangwang)
Powered by a huge 135.5 kWh LFP battery pack from BYD’s FinDreams, the electric sedan has up to 497 miles (800 km) CLTC range. Starting prices are around $140,000 (1,000,000 yuan).
Meet the BYD Yangwang U9 electric supercar
After showing off the electric supercar’s dance moves last year, BYF officially launched the Yangwang U9 electric supercar this week.
BYD launched the electric supercar with a listing price of $233,400 (1,680,000 yuan). Buyers in China can now order and schedule production.
BYD Yangwang U9 electric supercar (Source: BYD)
The company says the U9 “opens the era of pure electric supercars.” BYD claims the new EV is “The most powerful supercar in the pure electric era, surpassing the power performance of the V12 engine.
Powered by four electric motors, the U9 packs 1,287 hp (960 kW) and 1,200 lb-ft (1,680 Nm) torque for a 0 to 62 mph (0-100 km/hr) sprint in 2.36 seconds.
BYD Yangwang U9 electric supercar (Source: BYD)
That’s faster than a Ferrari SF90 and Buggati Chiron, with an official time of 2.5 seconds. It’s also quicker than the Porsche 911 Turbo S (2.6 seconds).
With BYD’s Disus X full active body control system, the two-door coupe can jump, shake, and dance. It even comes with four different “dance mode” songs so you can dance to the beat.
BYD Yangwang U9 dancing (Source: BYD)
At 4,966 mm long, 2,029 mm wide, and 1,295 mm tall, the Yangwang U9 is roughly the size of the Lamborghini Aventador (4,943 mm L, 2,098 mm W, 1,136 mm H).
With an 800V system, the electric supercar can charge from 30% to 80% in 10 minutes. It also supports dual charging. Like the U8 SUV, the U9 includes premium features like tank turns.
BYD Yangwang U9 electric supercar (Source: BYD)
BYD’s U9 electric supercar features 12 sets of multifunctional active and passive aerodynamics kits, including a 4-speed adjustable electric rear wing, active diffuser, and large carbon fiber rear wing.
BYD claims the U9 features “the smartest supercar cockpit” with DiLink and DiPilot. The EV also includes the “industry’s first self-developed racing assistant.” Covering nearly 30 tracks across China, racing assistant mode learns the track alignment of top drivers with timing accuracy within 0.01 seconds.
Inside the Yangwang U9 electric supercar (Source: BYD)
Inside, the Yangwang electric supercar includes two LCD screens, a 10.25″ driver display, and a 12.3″ vertical center infotainment. Some configurations include a third, 10.25″ passenger screen.
Electrek’s Take
BYD has already declared a price war with gas-powered vehicles. With the launch of the new Dolphin Honor Edition, starting under $14,000, and Qin Plus EV for $15,000, BYD is “officially opening a new era of electricity is lower than oil.”
The entry-level EVs will take on mass-market automakers like Toyota. Now, BYD is taking on a new market, and it’s exotic car makers like Ferrari and Lamborghini that should be worried.
Ferrari’s SF90 Stradale is more than double the price of BYD’s new Yangwang U9 electric supercar at $524,000. The Buggati Chiron starts at $3.3 million.
After dominating its home market, BYD is quickly expanding overseas. It’s already leading EV imports in key markets like Japan and Thailand. The automaker is even considering a plant in Mexico to serve as an export hub to the US.
Ford’s CEO Jim Farley said the American automaker is working on affordable EVs to compete with Chinese automakers like BYD. Farley said if you cannot compete with the Chinese, “then 20% to 30% of your revenue is at risk.”
It’s not only mass market brands that should worry about falling behind with electrification, premium brands could start to feel the heat now too.
America’s heartland is full of rural communities that are miles away from its major cities, both geographically and culturally – but that doesn’t mean these more sparsely populated regions can’t reap the benefits of electrification. In fact, EVs offer rural drivers even more benefits than they do to city-dwellers!
“An electric lifestyle would be a boon to our rural heartland,” wrote the Union of Concerned Scientists’ Maria Cecilia Pinto de Moura. “Rural communities across the country have their own distinguishing characteristics, but certain shared characteristics such as driving distances, the type of vehicles driven, and socio-economics are factors which contribute to this larger potential to benefit from vehicle electrification.”
Pinto de Moura went on to outline five ways rural and country drivers could benefit from going electric – but that was in 2021, and a whole lot has changed in the nearly five years since.
As such, I thought it was high time we revisit some of the reasons EVs could be a great fit for rural lifestyles, see if we could uncover any new ones, and outline the reasons we think rural drivers should rush to embrace electric vehicles in the coming calendar year.
Advertisement – scroll for more content
1. More miles means more savings
David Blenkle’s 252,000 mile Mustang Mach-E; via Ford.
When you hear that line about, “the average American drives 30 to 40 miles a day,” remember that in towns like Wellington, Ohio, or Colfax, Washington, 30 miles is a grocery run. Each way. So when people trot out that old line about range anxiety, what rural drivers actually hear isn’t reassurance. It’s dismissal — a suggestion that they drive too far for an EV to work, when nothing could be further from the truth.
A recent study by Rural Climate Partnership found that rural drivers spend an average of 44% more on fuel than city dwellers, and that the top 3.6% of rural drivers — the “supermilers” who rack up the most miles — could save over $4,000 each year by switching to electric fuel.
2. Electric trucks have arrived
Sierra AT4 EV towing a boat; via GM.
Country guys and gals love their pickups, and arguably the single biggest difference between the EV markets of 2021 and 2025 is the proliferation of electric trucks and SUVs ready to help haul, chore, camp, and tow.
Why not save your expensive horses from breathing in gas and diesel exhaust. Haul ’em with your quiet new EV, instead!
Unlike many apartment-dwelling urban drivers, most rural owners can charge right at home. More than 80% of rural households have a driveway or garage that are ideal for overnight Level 2 charging, and many already have a 240V outlet, keeping setup costs (if there even are any) to a minimum.
Plug in before bed, wake up to a full battery every morning, and do it for pennies on the dollar, especially with off-peak rates.
4. Lifesaving battery power
F-150 Lightning plugged in; via Ford.
If disaster strikes and you lose power, many electric trucks have the ability to power your home and appliances with the energy stored in their massive batteries – either from the truck itself, or through a V2X home battery system. If you live in an area prone to extreme weather events, the ability to keep medication refrigerated can be a literal life-saver!
As such, getting behind the wheel of an ultra-powerful, ultra smooth-running electric pickup truck from your favorite brand is easier than ever.
6. Energy independence and American jobs
GM Defense electric military vehicle; via GM.
At the risk of sounding like a paranoid red hat, rural Americans are proud Americans – just like rural Canadians are proud Canadians. Unfortunately, every gallon of gas burned in their pickups and SUVs came from oil drilled, refined, and traded on global markets — and that means supporting the oil business and economies of nations whose values don’t always align with, or maybe are even outright hostile to theirs.
Switching to an EV can help more of that money right here at home, especially as more and better battery recycling efforts come online and newer battery and anode/cathode chemistries are developed, reducing dependence on rare Earth metals, cobalt, and even lithium.
There are obviously more reasons to go electric than these, from lower cost of ownership to saving the planet to absolutely killer burnouts that would make the one-tire-fire era IROC Camaros hang their 305s in shame – but I think those kind of fade into the background as being appealing to all, instead of being especially appealing to rural drivers.
That said, it’s been a long time since I was back in Ohio, so maybe I’ve forgotten what it’s like. You guys are smart, head on down to the comments and let me know what I missed!
If you’re considering going solar, it’s always a good idea to get quotes from a few installers. 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.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links.More.
Honda’s electric SUV is on a roll. The Prologue was the third best-selling EV in the US in August, trailing only the Tesla Model Y and Model 3. Even with the federal EV tax credit now expired, Honda is still offering nearly $17,000 off the Prologue.
Honda Prologue registrations surge with huge incentives
As the $7,500 credit expired at the end of September, automakers rolled out steep discounts, many topping five figures with combined incentives.
The Honda Prologue has been one of the most discounted EVs over the past year or so. Last month, buyers could score up to over $20,000 in combined savings, including a $7,500 credit, $9,500 in financing bonuses, trade-in offers, and 0% interest for six years.
According to the latest registration data from S&P Global Mobility (via Automotive News), the incentives helped propel the Honda Prologue to become the third most popular EV in August.
Advertisement – scroll for more content
A total of 138,457 EVs were registered in the US in August, up 24% from a year ago. Honda Prologue registrations surged 81% to 9,005 vehicles, the data showed.
2025 Honda Prologue Elite (Source: Honda)
Honda’s electric SUV had more registrations than the Chevy Equinox EV in August, and it’s based on the same GM Ultium platform. However, the Equinox is still outselling the Prologue through September.
Since some automakers don’t report monthly or US sales numbers, the S&P Global Mobility data offers a snapshot of sales performance.
2025 Prologue Elite (Source: Honda)
The Prologue was yet again one of the most discounted models, with incentives of $12,704 in August, according to Motor Intelligence. Last August, Prologue incentives were just $5,813. Honda’s gas-powered CR-V had just $2,016 in incentives in August.
The interior of the 2025 Honda Prologue Elite (Source: Honda)
Although the $7,500 credit expired on September 30, Honda is still offering generous incentives for Prologue buyers and lessees.
The 2025 Honda Prologue is available with up to $16,550 in lease cash in most states. The offer includes $5,000 in lease bonus cash, $8,250 in Honda lease cash, and a $3,3300 loyalty or conquest bonus. Honda is offering the deal until November 11. Or, you can opt for 0% APR financing for up to 60 months.
2025 Honda Prologue trim
Starting Price*
EPA Range (miles)
EX (FWD)
$47,400
308
EX (AWD)
$50,400
294
Touring (FWD)
$51.700
308
Touring (AWD)
$54,700
294
Elite (AWD)
$57,900
283
2025 Honda Prologue prices and range by trim (*Does not include $1,450 D&H fee)
Although the Acura ZDX will not return for a 2026 model year, Honda is planning to launch the 2026 Prologue. We have yet to learn prices, but we could see it priced slightly lower due to the loss of the $7,500 EV credit.
Hyundai announced earlier this month it’s reducing 2026 IONIQ 5 prices by up to nearly $10,000 on some trims. The 2026 Hyundai IONIQ 5 now starts at under $35,000. Hyundai is offering leases as low as $289 per month right now. Will Honda match it?
Kia has a new idea. So you don’t miss the smell of gasoline too much when you trade in for its new EV, Kia is giving away free gas-scented air fresheners.
Kia offers gas-scented car fresheners for EV4 buyers
It’s time to trade that new car scented tree dangling from your rearview mirror for a jerry can that smells like… gasoline?
Astara Auto Finland, which imports Kia’s vehicles into Finland, is giving away free gasoline-scented car fresheners for those buying the new EV4.
Although it may seem like Kia’s poking fun at the gas guzzlers, it’s actually partly designed to ease your transition to an EV.
Advertisement – scroll for more content
“Giving up the combustion engine can feel like a huge step, just like giving up anything else that is familiar. We wanted to add a touch of nostalgic fun to the transition with a gas-scented car freshener,” Klaus Pohjala, commercial director at Astara Auto Finland, said.
The scent was created by Finland’s sole perfumier, Max Perttula, who has developed fragrances for other premium brands.
Kia starts EV4 hatchback production in Europe, its first EV built in Europe (Source: Kia UK)
According to Pertulla, he mostly used scents found in men’s fragrances, but added a bit of Jasmine to top things off. “It may sound wild that it’s jasmine of all things that contains compounds with a fragrance that creates associations with gasoline,” Pertulla said, but it works.
The fragrance came to life after metalizing and sanding it with amber compounds, birch tar, and galbanum, he explained.
The Kia EV4 hatchback at IAA Mobility 2025 in Munich (Source: Kia)
Of course, it’s a bit of a “cheeky campaign,” Pertulla said, but Kia aims to add a little fun for new EV drivers. The latest campaign comes after Kia’s importer ran a controversial front-page ad last year mocking traditional luxury automakers, claiming EVs have leveled the playing field.
The EV4 is rolling out in Europe, in both hatchback and sedan variants. Early next year, Kia will launch the sedan version in the US.
Do you miss the smell of gas? After driving an EV for years, I still think that it’s one of the best parts of owning one. Drop us a comment below and let us know what you think.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links.More.