BYD’s new Sealion 05 EV is finally here, and it’s even better than expected. The mass-market electric SUV is loaded with BYD’s “God’s Eye” smart driving tech, has up to 323 miles of driving range, and starts at just around $16,000. It even has a built-in refrigerator.
BYD launches new Sealion 05 EV, a smart electric SUV
Does your car have a mini-fridge? If it does, it likely wasn’t under $20,000. BYD is on fire. After launching the new Qin L EV yesterday, a new Tesla Model 3 rival but at half the cost (119,800 yuan/ $16,500), BYD has another trick up its sleeve.
BYD officially launched the Sealion 05 EV on Tuesday. The smart electric SUV is available in three trims and starts at 117,800 yuan ($16,200).
Powered by a 50 kWh LFP battery, the base “Zhihang” Edition has up to 430 km (267 miles) of CLTC driving range. The mid “Smart” Edition and “Flagship Smart” models have a 60.9 kWh battery, providing up to 520 km (323 miles) of CLTC driving range.
The Sealion 05 EV is 4,520 mm long, 1,860 mm wide, and 1,630 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2,720 mm. That’s slightly smaller than the new Tesla Model Y launched in China (4,797 mm long, 1,920 mm wide, 1,624 mm tall).
In comparison, the base Tesla Model Y RWD starts at 263,500 yuan ($33,300) and has a CLTC range of up to 593 km (368 miles). The Long Range AWD starts at 313,500 yuan and has a range of up to 719 km (447 miles).
The BYD Sealion Smart Edition starts at 127,800 yuan ($17,600), while the flagship trim costs 137,800 yuan ($19,000).
With DC fast-charging speeds of up to 156 kW, the Sealion 05’s battery can charge from 30% to 80% in just 18 minutes.
All trims are equipped with BYD’s “God’s Eye” C driving assist system. BYD’s DiPilot 100 is a “three eye” intelligent driving platform powered by five radars, 12 ultrasonic radars, and another 12 cameras for ADAS features like High-Speed Navigate On Autopilot, Full-Scenario smart parking, and active safety.
Like the Qin L EV sedan, BYD’s new electric SUV adopts a revamped interior with a 12.8″ floating center screen and an 8.8″ driver display.
It even includes a built-in refrigerator to keep things cool (or even heated) on the road. Despite its compact size, the Sealion 05 EV has plenty of storage with a 110 L “extra large” frunk (front trunk) and a 600 L trunk that can expand to 1,460 L with the rear seats folded.
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Environment
Trump imposes tariffs on all car imports: here’s where all EVs available in the US come from
Hyundai’s massive new EV plant in Georgia is officially open for business. The company held the grand opening on Wednesday at its new Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America, where it will build upcoming EVs, including its first three-row electric SUV, the IONIQ 9.
Hyundai’s new EV plant is now open in Georgia
Less than two years after starting construction, Hyundai is celebrating what could be the company’s most important investment so far.
Hyundai’s new EV plant is part of a $7.6 billion investment in Georgia, the state’s largest economic development project to date. It’s expected to create about 8,500 direct jobs by 2030.
However, if you include its battery plant with SK On and the 18 suppliers that joined in, Hyundai’s new facility has attracted over $12.6 billion in investments. According to the Center for Automotive Research, Hyundai’s new EV plant will create over 58,200 jobs in Georgia.
During the grand opening on Wednesday, Hyundai Motor Group executive chair Euisun Chung said, “Together with the talented workforce at HMGMA, we are building the future of mobility with America, in America.”
Chung was joined by Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, Hyundai CEO Jose Munoz, and Kia CEO Ho Sung Song, among several others.
The new plant will produce EVs and hybrids under the Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis brands. Despite the opening ceremony, the first model, the new 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5, rolled off the assembly line in October.
Hyundai upgraded the electric SUV with more range (up to 318 miles), a new interior and exterior style, and an NACS port for charging at Tesla Superchargers.
Next up will be Hyundai’s first three-row electric SUV, the IONIQ 9. The larger SUV is due out this spring, so it should be any day now.
Like the 2025 IONIQ 5, the IONIQ 9 will include an NACS port. It will also pack a massive 110.3 kWh battery providing up to 335 miles EPA-estimated range.
The opening ceremony follows Hyundai’s landmark $21 billion investment in the US, announced earlier this week. Hyundai will use $9 billion to boost Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis brand output to 1.2 million. Another $6 billion will be used to build a new steel plant in Louisiana.
Meanwhile, GA Senator Jon Ossoff issued a warning during a press conference Wednesday: “The Trump Administration’s war on electric vehicles poses a threat to EV sales, to the EV market, and to the automobile industry in Georgia and across the country.” Killing off federal tax credits will only put the US further behind China and others in the global auto and tech industry.
Source: WTOC, Hyundai
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Lightsource bp’s 180 megawatt (MW) Prairie Ronde Solar in Louisiana is now online and generating enough power for the equivalent of around 31,000 homes.
Prairie Ronde Solar in St. Landry Parish is about 30 miles north of Lafayette. It’s one of the largest solar farms in Louisiana and features US-made equipment. First Solar in Arizona manufactured the solar panels, and the tracking systems came from Array Technologies in New Mexico.
In February 2023, Lightsource bp and McDonald’s Corporation announced a Power Purchase Agreement for Prairie Ronde Solar. McDonald’s will purchase all of the solar energy the project generates, equivalent to around 630 restaurants’ worth of renewable electricity annually.
The $170 million project, which is privately funded, will bring long-term benefits to St. Landry Parish. Over its lifetime, it will generate more than $20 million for public services like schools and emergency responders. In just the first five years, $8.3 million will flow into the community. Lightsource bp will also spend $3.9 million a year to operate the site, with most of that money staying in the region.
In 2023, Lightsource bp set up a Community Fund in St. Landry Parish to support local education and development projects. That includes funding for school programs and a new Welcome Center at the local Veterans Memorial.
Read more: This $500M EV battery material plant is the first of its kind in the US
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