BYD expands its marathon trajectory yet again

From the newsletter

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD has launched the Song Plus, a plug-in hybrid SUV, in Ivory Coast through its local dealer Loxea, a subsidiary of CFAO Mobility. It is BYD’s fourth model in the West African country where it launched in March 2024, introducing the Atto 3, Dolphin and Dolphin Mini models. The BYD Song Plus has a fully-electric driving range of 100 km.

• The price of the Song PHEV ranges between $19,000 - $25,000 in China while that of the fully-electric Song ranges between $21,000 - $32,500. The lower price of the PHEV is likely to make it more attractive to buyers in West Africa. 

• BYD, which is now in 17 African countries, has been primarily selling select electric models on the continent but is now expanding its portfolio with PHEVs to offer buyers more options to choose from. 

More details

• The BYD Song Plus was introduced in September 2020, as a larger and more upmarket alternative to the BYD Song Pro. It has a 1.5-liter engine and an electric motor, offering a combined output of up to 197 horsepower. It has a combined driving range of about 1,000 km and offers various trims, including front-wheel-drive (FWD) and all-wheel-drive (AWD) options.

• BYD has primarily targeted its PHEVs for South Africa, which is Africa’s largest automotive market. In April 2025, the EV manufacturer introduced the BYD Shark, a plug-in hybrid pick-up and the BYD Sealion 6, a plug-in hybrid SUV, to the country. BYD also sells four fully electric models in South Africa, namely the Atto 3, Dolphin, Seal and Sealion 7. 

• The company seeks to offer PHEVs as a complement to its battery electric vehicle lineup, particularly in markets like Africa where there are challenges like inadequate charging stations are inhibiting the growth of fully electric vehicles. This approach allows the company to cater to a wider range of customer needs and preferences. 

• BYD has expanded aggressively in Africa, and is now in 17 markets on the continent after launching in Gabon earlier this month. Its strategy is to quickly gain market share ahead of its competitors in these key markets. BYD is betting on its lower pricing and wide network of dealerships to increase sales in Africa. 

• Africa is increasingly attracting new PHEV models in various categories, but the majority are SUVs and pick-ups. Some of the most popular PHEVs in Africa include the Volvo XC60 Recharge, which is top seller in South Africa, the BMW i4 and i5, Jaeco C9, and Toyota Corolla Cross hybrid. The Ford Ranger PHEV, which is being made in South Africa, is also expected to be a popular choice for buyers when it is released to the wider African market. 

• While still small, the PHEV market in Africa is still small. The majority of new vehicles sold on the continent are fuel vehicles followed by traditional hybrids. PHEVs and fully electric vehicles make up only a tiny proportion of total vehicle sales.

• The PHEV market in Africa is projected to reach $91.9 million in revenue in 2025, with a projected annual growth rate of 5.57% from 2025 to 2029, reaching $114.1 million. Despite this potential, the adoption of PHEVs in Africa is currently limited by the high initial costs. 

Our take

• Even though PHEVs rely less on public charging, building out a reliable charging network and service ecosystem will boost consumer confidence and support the eventual shift to full EVs.

• High upfront costs remain the main barrier for adoption of PHEVs. Governments and financiers should collaborate on green auto loans, pay-as-you-drive models, and fleet leasing schemes to make PHEVs more accessible to middle-income buyers and SMEs. 

• Major manufacturers are increasing the electric-only range on their PHEV models, with some newer models offering significantly longer ranges than previous generations. This will likely make them more attractive to buyers who seek to enjoy the best of both electric and fuel vehicles.