BYD Seal U plug-in hybrid SUV spotted range-testing in India

The BYD Seal U plug-in hybrid SUV was spotted range-testing by ElecTree ahead of its launch this year. The Seal U will be BYD's first plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) in India, and it will expand the carmaker's lineup beyond electric vehicles (EVs). The Seal U is a Mahindra XEV 9e-sized 5-seater vehicle, measuring 4,775mm in length, 1,890mm in width, and 1,670mm in height, and has a 2,765mm wheelbase. The Seal U is also known as the Sealion 6 in certain markets. The vehicle's design is based on the current-spec Glanza, and the current Honda Elevate is shown for representational purposes only. BYD's move into the PHEV segment comes as India's electric vehicle market continues to grow, with over 2,000 plug-in hybrids sold in 2022 alone. The Indian government has set a target of 30% of new car sales being electric by 2030. BYD's entry into the Indian market is expected to bring competition to existing PHEV models. The Seal U is expected to go on sale in the country soon, although an exact launch date has not been announced yet.