How to Charge the BYD Qin Hybrid?
4 Answers
BYD Qin is a plug-in hybrid vehicle that can be directly charged using household 220V single-phase AC or 380V three-phase AC power. It doesn't require installation of a charging pile or grid connection - just a normal household 220V power supply is sufficient for charging, with full charge achieved within two hours. The official classification of BYD Qin is a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV). Its battery can be charged either by recovering energy from the gasoline engine or directly through the charging port. As one of the new energy vehicles recognized by MIIT, it qualifies for government subsidies in certain regions. The BYD Qin comes equipped with lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries, which feature relatively low energy density but offer better stability. With an energy storage capacity of 13kWh (equivalent to 13 units of electricity), it can travel up to 70 kilometers in pure electric mode. The BYD Qin operates with two working modes: ECO and SPORT, offering two power output options: EV (pure electric) and HEV (hybrid). The coordination between EV and HEV works as follows: in ECO mode, the vehicle operates solely on electric power below 40km/h, with the gasoline engine activating above this speed. In SPORT mode, both the gasoline and electric engines work simultaneously throughout operation.
I've been driving the Qin hybrid for almost two years now, and the charging methods are actually quite simple. Mainly two ways: home charging pile and portable charging cable. My underground parking space has the wall-mounted charging box that came with the car from the factory - just plug in when I get home at night and it's fully charged by morning. When traveling, I use the portable cable from the trunk that works with any 220V socket. I heard the premium version supports fast charging, but my base model just needs 5-6 hours on a regular socket for about 60km range. Remember to shift to P mode before charging - the charging port is near the right rear wheel, just press the small cover to open it, align the plug until you hear the click.
I've researched several charging options for my newly purchased Qin hybrid. The most commonly used is the home charging station, which requires prior application for an electric meter installation, with a charging power of approximately 3.3 kW. The portable charging cable is suitable for temporary top-ups and can be plugged into a standard three-hole socket that comes with the car. The advantage of a hybrid is that the engine automatically charges the battery when it runs out of power. Yesterday, during a traffic jam on the highway, energy recovery even charged the battery by 15%. Remember to close the waterproof cover of the charging port when charging, as rainwater seepage can easily cause a short circuit. The manufacturer recommends charging when the battery level drops to 20%, as over-discharging can affect battery lifespan.
As a hybrid vehicle user, charging can be divided into two scenarios. For daily commuting, use the pure electric mode and simply plug in the charging cable at home in the evening. A standard 220V socket provides a charging speed of approximately 10% per hour. For long-distance trips, switch to hybrid mode, where the engine automatically charges the battery, and energy is also recovered during downhill driving. The charging port is located on the right side of the rear. Press to open it, insert the charging cable, and the dashboard will display the estimated time to full charge. It's advisable to avoid charging at noon, as unstable voltage during peak electricity hours may cause tripping. During maintenance, have the technician inspect the charging module for added peace of mind.
