BYD e6 Electric SUV Price in Nepal | Features, Range, Specs

March 1st 2022

6 mins read

BYD e6 Electric SUV Price in Nepal | Features, Range, Specs

Cimex Inc, the authorized distributor of BYD cars in Nepal, has recently launched three vehicles in Nepal: BYD e3, BYD e6, and BYD e9. The e3 is a minivan and not a family car. The e9 is a large passenger bus. The e6 is what got me excited the most and probably is something you will be interested in too.

The BYD e6 is a proper 5-seater mid-size SUV with a dimension of 4560mm*1822mm*1645mm. The size is comparable to the Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, and Toyota Rav4. The SUV is heavy, though, with a curb weight of 2380kgs! And that's understandable. The entire SUV is powered by a huge 61.4kWh battery which churns out 121hp (90kW) power using a permanent magnet synchronous motor.

The car is loaded with tech and drives differently than all the cars we have come to know and love. Let's have a look at the specs of the BYD e6 first:

Length in mm: 4560
Width in mm: 1822
Height in mm: 1645
Wheelbase in mm: 2830
Curb weight in kg: 2380
Tires: 235/65 R17
Boot Space: 450L
Top speed: 140km/h
Minimum ground clearance:150mm
Range: 300km/400km
Suspension (F) Independent Dual Cross-Arm with Crosswise Stabilized Bars Suspension (R) Independent Dual Rocker-Arm with Crosswise Stabilized Bars
Braking: Regenerative braking, front double calipers, rear single calipers,disc brake
Motor type: Permanent magnet synchronous motor
Maximum Power: 121hp
Maximum Torque450Nm
Battery type: Fe battery
Battery Capacity: 61.4kWh
VTOG 30kW AC charging2h

If you looked at the specification sheet closely, you will notice one feature that is truly disappointing, especially for Nepalese roads. The ground clearance of the BYD e6 is just 150mm. This is bad not only by an SUV standard but for any kind of regular four-wheeler. I happen to drive VW Polo personally and it scapes in so many places, all the time(!) and it has a ground clearance of 165mm. The ground clearance of 150mm is just not acceptable. Forget off-road terrains, you will have to be careful while maneuvering the car in the streets of Kathmandu. The other thing that is kind of disappointing is the luggage space. It could have been a bit larger considering the fact that the 2nd-row space isn't that spacious.

Also Read: All Electric Cars Price in Nepal with Specs

But where the BYD e6 truly shines is in the battery department. Here's a fun fact: BYD is the 2nd largest battery manufacturer in the world. Though not heavily commercialized, chances are, many of the electric appliances at your home are powered by BYD batteries. And the 61.4kWh battery pack that is powering the BYD e6 truly impresses. The battery produces 121hp and 450Nm of Torque. What is more impressive is the instantaneous peak torque that it produces. The e6 being a true EV means you get peak torque from the get-go. You will really enjoy your drive in this vehicle. Overtaking isn't that difficult either. This SUV will accelerate faster than most of the other cars out there in the market right now.

And then there's the price. Thanks to the government incentive, the BYD e6 can be have had for less money than all its competing ICE-powered cars. The price of the 300KM range BYD e6 is Rs. 50,00,000/-.

Is there a market for electric cars in Nepal?

There are very few electric cars in the Nepalese market right now. As such, if a brand comes with a good enough EV, chances are people will endorse it. We don't expect Teslas to hit Nepalese roads anytime soon. So it's up to other car manufacturers to bring out the best EVs they have. Kia Soul EV is selling really well in Nepal. It's priced well and Kia, being a familiar brand, people are more than happy to purchase it.

It's not to say that brands like BYDs can penetrate the market. I personally feel that BYD should focus more on the marketing and branding of their products. Not many people know about them. The BYD e6 is a great car. If the company can lower the price of the e6 by a few lakhs and promote their cars more aggressively, people will certainly think about purchasing them.

What's holding people from purchasing EVs?

The other thing that worries consumers while buying an electric vehicle, be it an electric scooter or a car, is the lifespan of the battery and the replacement cost of it. The EV manufacturers should also clarify the after-sales services. If people are not confident about the product and are not sure how the car will fare over the years, people will not buy them. The EV manufacturers should also clarify about the after-sales support. Nobody wants to buy a car that will take weeks to get serviced (and yes, things such as this happen). Even big-name companies sometimes make their customer wait for weeks before the replacement parts become available!

Also Read: Upcoming Electric Cars in Nepal 2021 | Overview

And there's the question about the resale value. Unlike gasoline cars which will run for over 10s years without major replacement costs, electric vehicle batteries need to be replaced in 7-8 years or so. And the replacement cost won't be cheap. One representative at Kia Motors Nepal told me that the Kia Soul EV battery replacement will cost over Rs.10,00,000. As such, people are reluctant while getting an EV. The resale value of these cars will be significantly lower than their gasoline counterpart. The car manufacturers should take this matter seriously and do something about it as well. For instance, they can buy back the car from their customers at 80% cost of the car after 4 years of purchase or do something of that sort.

All in all, the BYD e6 is a decent car with an excellent drive range. It may not be as premium as its direct competitors but the car has its own unique charm. Whether the car will fail or succeed in Nepal is yet to be seen. But from what I can see, if the company can market their cars a little aggressively, people will definitely keep it as an option while purchasing a new car.