Is BYD’s first plug-in hybrid in Australia a game-changer? [Video]

BYD has found its feet in Australia with a range of electric cars, but overseas the company is also a leader in plug-in hybrid technology – which accounted for half its global sales last year.

After the roll-out of the Atto 3, Dolphin and Seal electric vehicles over the past two years, the Chinese car maker has launched its first plug-in hybrid locally, the Sealion 6 mid-size family SUV.

BYD calls its plug-in hybrid technology ‘DM-i’, combining a small petrol engine with a large electric motor and battery pack for close to 100km of claimed electric driving range – and a focus on electric power in propelling the car, only calling on petrol when truly needed.

The Sealion 6 has been on sale in China for a few years as the Song Plus – where it is the country’s third-best-selling car – but is only arriving in Australia now in its latest updated form, priced from less …