BYD to Launch Flagship Great Han EV on October 13 with Over 1,000 Kilometers of Range and Ultra-Fast Charging

Electric vehicle manufacturer BYD is preparing to officially launch its new flagship electric sedan, the Great Han (known domestically in China as the Da Han), on October 13. The vehicle represents a major milestone for the automaker as its first D-segment flagship sedan within the prestigious Dynasty family. Pre-orders for the full-size luxury vehicle officially opened on August 21 at the Chengdu Auto Show, drawing significant attention from the automotive industry due to its impressive pricing, massive driving range, and next-generation charging capabilities.

With a starting price of 249,900 yuan (approximately $37,200 USD), the Great Han enters a fiercely competitive global luxury electric vehicle market. By undercutting established Western and domestic competitors while offering specifications that rival or exceed ultra-luxury vehicles, BYD continues to assert its dominance in the global electrification transition. The official market launch in October will mark the commercial realization of months of regulatory approvals, technical unveilings, and strategic positioning aimed at capturing the upper echelons of the automotive market.

Chronology of Development and Regulatory Approval

The journey of the Great Han from concept to commercial production has unfolded steadily throughout the year. The earliest public glimpse of the flagship sedan emerged in June, when preliminary specifications and vehicle images appeared within a batch of new energy vehicles approved for sale by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT). Such regulatory filings are typically the final administrative hurdle before a vehicle enters serial production, signaling that BYD’s engineering teams had finalized the platform specifications.

Following the MIIT disclosure, Lu Tian, general manager of BYD’s Dynasty series, officially confirmed the vehicle’s targeted commercial launch window and its headline-grabbing performance metrics, specifically highlighting its 1,008-kilometer (626-mile) CLTC driving range. The momentum culminated on August 21 at the Chengdu Auto Show, where BYD formally unveiled the production-ready Great Han to the public and opened order books. The upcoming October 13 launch event will mark the final commercial rollout, where customer deliveries are expected to commence shortly thereafter.

Powertrain Variants, Battery Technology, and Performance Specifications

The BYD Great Han is engineered on a robust technological foundation, offering prospective buyers three distinct powertrain variants configured across single- and all-wheel-drive systems.

The lineup begins with two rear-wheel-drive (RWD) variants: the Premium trim, starting at 249,900 yuan ($37,200), and the Flagship trim, priced from 269,900 yuan ($40,200). Both rear-wheel-drive models utilize a single permanent-magnet synchronous motor capable of outputting 370 kW (496 horsepower). Energy is stored in a substantial 102.326 kWh battery pack. This configuration achieves the vehicle’s headline-grabbing CLTC driving range of up to 1,008 kilometers (626 miles) on a single charge, making it one of the longest-range electric sedans currently slated for mass production.

For consumers prioritizing traction and maximum performance, BYD offers an all-wheel-drive (AWD) variant. This model integrates an additional front electric motor, bringing the total combined output to a staggering 570 kW (764 horsepower). Although the AWD variant utilizes the exact same 102.326 kWh battery pack as its rear-wheel-drive counterparts, the increased energy demand of the dual-motor setup results in a slightly reduced, yet still impressive, CLTC driving range of 880 kilometers (546 miles).

Beyond sheer capacity, the Great Han introduces cutting-edge energy replenishment metrics. All variants are equipped with BYD’s advanced Blade Battery 2.0 architecture and next-generation Flash Charging technology. Utilizing ultra-high-power 1,500 kW charging infrastructure, the vehicle can replenish its battery from 10% to 70% in a mere 5 minutes. A complete fast-charging cycle from 10% to 97% requires just 9 minutes, effectively mitigating long-distance travel anxiety and bridging the refueling gap between electric vehicles and traditional internal combustion engine cars.

Dimensions and Interior Luxury Appointments

In terms of physical footprint, the Great Han is classified as a full-size luxury sedan that eclipses many of its traditional rivals in scale. The vehicle measures 5,256 mm in length, 1,999 mm in width, and 1,510 mm in height, anchored by a generous 3,130 mm wheelbase. These dimensions place the Great Han firmly above the physical footprints of the Tesla Model S and the Lucid Air, positioning its sizing closer to that of a long-wheelbase Mercedes-Benz S-Class. This expansive architecture ensures interior passenger volume and legroom that cater directly to executive-level buyers and chauffeured transport markets.

To match its exterior dimensions, BYD has packed the cabin with high-end amenities mirroring those found in its flagship Great Tang SUV. Standard luxury features include the proprietary DiSus-A dual-chamber air suspension system, which dynamically adjusts damping to ensure optimal ride comfort across varying road conditions. Additionally, the sedan features rear-wheel steering to enhance maneuverability at low speeds and stability during high-speed transit, alongside ergonomic zero-gravity front seats designed to reduce fatigue on long journeys.

Smart Driving and Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems

Automotive intelligence is a core pillar of the Great Han’s market proposition. Every variant of the flagship sedan comes standard with BYD’s sophisticated "God’s Eye B" smart driving system. This advanced suite of driver-assistance technologies (ADAS) includes high-level capabilities such as Navigation on Autopilot (NOA) for highway and urban transit, comprehensive active safety interventions, and automated remote parking functionalities. By incorporating high-performance computing hardware and an array of sensors, LiDAR, and cameras, the vehicle is equipped to navigate complex traffic scenarios with minimal driver intervention.

Broader Industry Implications and Strategic Positioning

The introduction of the Great Han is far more than the release of a single model; it represents a strategic escalation in BYD’s ongoing transition toward higher-end automotive segments. Historically recognized for dominating the mass-market, budget-friendly electric vehicle sectors, BYD has systematically expanded its portfolio upward. The rollout of the Great Tang SUV, the creation of the ultra-luxury Denza brand, and now the debut of the flagship Great Han sedan demonstrate the company’s ambition to compete directly with established European luxury marques and high-end tech-focused EV startups.

From an industry perspective, the pricing strategy of the Great Han—starting under $38,000 for a full-size luxury sedan with a 1,000-kilometer range and 5-minute ultra-fast charging—presents a formidable competitive challenge to global legacy automakers. While supply chains, export logistics, and international regulatory approvals will dictate how quickly these vehicles penetrate markets outside of China, the technological benchmarks set by the Great Han underscore the rapid pace of innovation within the Chinese electric vehicle ecosystem. As October 13 approaches, the automotive world will be closely watching the official launch to see how consumer demand translates into delivery volumes and whether BYD can successfully redefine expectations for luxury electric mobility.