BYD Tang gets bigger battery to better compete with Tesla Model Y

BYD decided it was time to upgrade its Tang electric SUV for European customers. Despite entering the European market less than a year ago, BYD is fitting the Tang with a more potent battery, hoping this will be enough to rival the ever-so-popular Tesla Model Y.

The Tang EV, which first debuted in Norway in 2020, expanded its market to Germany, the Netherlands, and other European markets in the past year. With pre-sale prices announced at a rather steep $79,900, the Tang EV apparently wanted to be seen as a strong contender in the electric SUV segment. That was always going to be tricky with the Tesla Model Y starting at $47,700 in Germany.

In terms of dimensions, the Tang EV stands at 191.7 inches in length, 76.8 inches in width, and 67.9 inches (68 inches) in height. Notably, Tesla's best-selling Model Y is 4.72 inches shorter but even the 534 hp Performance version starts at $62,130 making the Tang look expensive.

Tesla's Model Y made history as the best-selling car in Europe last year, and the best-selling car worldwide, marking a significant milestone for electric vehicles. However, in the last three months of 2023, BYD managed to surpass Tesla as the world's leading EV manufacturer, setting the stage for further competition.

The key upgrade for the Tang EV is a larger battery, increasing its capacity from 86 kWh to an impressive 108 kWh. This translates into extra 81 miles more range on the WLTP cycle. While the previous range was already decent 249 miles, the upgraded Tang can now travel up to 329 miles on a single charge, according to BYD.

The battery refresh is rather comprehensive. The new Tang EV features an 11 kW AC charging capacity, a much-appreciated boost from the previous 7 kW, as well as a fast-charging option of up to 190 kW DC. The 517 hp powertrain remains unchanged but it didn’t really need any upgrades - 0 to 62 mph in 4.9 seconds in a 5,487 lb SUV is plenty enough. But the suspension did need upgrades and BYD listened to its customers - new active dampers promise a more composed and controllable behavior.

Despite the much larger battery, Tang’s range still falls short of Model Y’s 351 miles (WLTP) but the Chinese SUV is just as fast as the Long Range version of Tesla’s SUV. If only the BYD was cheaper. Well - while BYD has not officially disclosed any price adjustments, the company intriguingly stated, "Be prepared for a surprise."

BYD is trying to challenge Tesla's dominance with the upgraded Tang electric SUV. With a larger battery, extended range, enhanced charging capabilities, and decent performance, the Tang just may have a chance of snatching up a few customers. Providing the price is right.

Via