Does the BYD Tang DMi Need to Be Charged?
2 Answers
BYD Tang DMi needs to be charged. The Tang DMi is equipped with a 1.5L plug-in hybrid system. The primary charging method for plug-in hybrid owners is AC slow charging, as the battery capacity is relatively small, and the vehicle can rely on gasoline when the battery is depleted. Therefore, most plug-in hybrid models do not support DC fast charging. The AC charging methods for the Tang DMi are as follows: Using the manufacturer-provided 10A plug 1.5KW portable charger: When purchasing the vehicle, the 4S dealership will provide a portable charger with a 10A plug, which can be directly connected to a standard household socket for charging. However, the charging speed is relatively slow, with an actual charging power of around 1.5KW, meaning it charges 1.5 kWh per hour. The BYD Tang DMi 52km version has a battery capacity of 9.98kWh. Theoretically, the time required to charge from 0% to 100% is 9.98kWh ÷ 1.5kW = 6.7 hours. The Tang DMi 112km version has a battery capacity of 21.5kWh, and the time required to charge from 0% to 100% is 21.5kWh ÷ 1.5kW = 14.3 hours. Using an AC home charging station: The Tang DMi 52KM version supports a maximum AC charging power of 3.3KW, meaning the actual charging speed with an AC charging station ranges between 2.6kW and 3.2kW. Even when using a 32A 7KW charging station, the charging speed remains within the 2.6kW-3.2kW range. The Tang DMi 112KM version is equipped with a 6.6KW charger. When using a 32A 7KW charging station, the actual charging power is around 6KW, meaning it charges 6 kWh per hour. Theoretically, the time required to charge from 0% to 100% is 21.5kWh ÷ 6kW = 3.5 hours. Special case (DC fast charging): The BYD Tang DMi 52km version only supports AC charging and does not support DC fast charging. However, the 112km version can support DC fast charging, though the maximum measured charging power is only 18KW. For the Tang DMi 112km version, the theoretical time required to charge from 0% to 100% is 21.5kWh ÷ 18kW = 1.2 hours.
As someone who has been studying automotive technology for years, I have firsthand experience with whether the BYD Tang DM-i needs to be charged. Essentially a plug-in hybrid, it can operate without mandatory charging because the gasoline engine automatically generates electricity for the battery while driving, ensuring you can drive anytime without the range anxiety of a pure electric vehicle. However, if you can charge it—for example, by installing a wall-mounted slow charger at home—a full charge can provide 80-120 kilometers of pure electric range, which means you can mostly drive on electricity for city commuting, reducing fuel consumption to nearly zero. The system intelligently switches between electric and fuel modes: prioritizing electricity when the battery is high for quiet and energy-efficient driving, and efficiently charging and driving via the engine when the battery is low, keeping overall fuel consumption at around 6 liters per 100 kilometers. Charging is recommended to maximize savings on fuel and vehicle maintenance costs while reducing engine wear. Even if you occasionally forget to charge, the car remains reliable on the road.
