BYD teases its first plug-in hybrid SUV for India

A new teaser from BYD has confirmed that the Chinese carmaker will soon launch its first plug-in hybrid (PHEV) model for the Indian market. BYD India’s current model portfolio comprises only EVs, but globally, the brand also offers plug-in hybrids. While it is not yet known which BYD PHEV is making its way to India, many signs point to it being the Atto 2 or Sealion 6.

1. Atto 2 gets 1.5-litre NA petrol engine with 7.8kWh, 18kWh battery options
2. Sealion 6 offers 1.5-litre NA and turbo-petrol mills, with 18.3kWh and 26.6kWh packs

BYD India line-up set to expand beyond pure EVs

The BYD teaser explicitly states that the upcoming model will utilise the carmaker’s ‘DM-i Super Plug-in Hybrid EV’ powertrain. DM-i stands for ‘Dual Mode – intelligent’, which is basically a reference to the nature of a plug-in hybrid, where a conventional engine and all-electric setup work in conjunction to offer the best of both worlds – the efficiency and low running costs of an EV and the elimination of range anxiety thanks to the combustion engine.

BYD has yet to disclose which DM-i PHEV it’s launching in India, but a likely contender is the Atto 2 DM-i. An India launch for the Atto 2 has been under evaluation for some time. Test mules of the Atto 2 were even spotted in the country in August 2025.

In overseas markets, the Atto 2 is available with a PHEV powertrain, comprising a 1.5-litre NA petrol engine paired with a 7.8kWh or an 18kWh battery pack. The system output is 166hp for the 7.8kWh version and 212hp in the 18kWh guise. BYD claims a combined WLTP range of 928km for the 7.8kWh variant and 998km for the larger battery. The electric-only range is pegged at nearly 39km for both.

Another possible contender is the Sealion 6. It’s visually similar to the Sealion 7 EV, which was launched here in early 2025 and has resonated very well with Indian customers. Notably, BYD also showcased the Sealion 6 at Auto Expo 2025 to gauge interest in the PHEV SUV. The Sealion 6 was even spotted testing in India recently.

Globally, the Sealion 6 comes with 1.5-litre naturally aspirated and turbo-petrol engine options, both of which are available with an 18.3kWh or a 26.6kWh battery. The 1.5 NA PHEV setup is FWD-only, develops a combined 218hp and offers an NEDC-tested all-electric range of up to 140km. Meanwhile, the 1.5 turbo-petrol PHEV gets AWD as standard, makes up to 344hp and offers up to 128km all-electric range. The combined driving range for the Sealion 6 PHEV is pegged at 1,092km.