Why was the BYD e1 discontinued?
3 Answers
BYD discontinued the e1 as a corporate adjustment in response to policy changes. Relevant information about the BYD e1 is as follows: 1. Introduction one: The dimensions of the BYD e1 are 3465mm, 1618mm, and 1500mm. 2. Introduction two: Taking the BYD e1 2020 Comfort model as an example, the manufacturer of this car is BYD, its class is a microcar, the energy type is pure electric, the transmission is a single-speed electric vehicle transmission, the body type is a 5-door 5-seat hatchback, and the drive type is front-wheel drive. 3. Introduction three: The front suspension type of this car is MacPherson independent suspension, the rear suspension type is torsion beam non-independent suspension, the power steering type is electric power steering, the body structure is load-bearing, the parking brake type is handbrake, and the battery type is ternary lithium battery.
The discontinuation of the BYD e1 was primarily due to changes in the market environment and BYD's own product strategy adjustments. Having observed the electric vehicle industry for several years, I noted that the BYD e1 was initially positioned as an entry-level small electric car, affordable and suitable for urban commuting, with decent early sales. However, as competition intensified, models like the Wuling Hongguang MINIEV captured the low-end market, and consumers began demanding higher range and more interior space. The e1's range of only about 200 kilometers and cramped rear seats clearly fell short of these demands. BYD also shifted its focus to newer platform models like the Dolphin and Seal, which feature more advanced technology, better performance, and eligibility for greater new energy subsidies, making the e1 naturally obsolete. This isn’t surprising, as all products have life cycles, and BYD, as a major manufacturer, prioritizes long-term competitiveness.
The root cause of BYD e1's discontinuation can be explained from a technological development perspective. As an electric vehicle based on an outdated platform, its battery system and motor technology were relatively backward, with slow charging speeds and low energy efficiency, showing a significant gap compared to BYD's current e-platform 3.0. I recall that the e1 used lithium iron phosphate batteries, which, while safe, had low energy density resulting in short range. Nowadays, new models use ternary lithium or blade batteries to extend the range to over 300 kilometers. Additionally, intelligent features such as vehicle connectivity and assisted driving were almost absent in the e1, while consumers now expect a fully electric experience. BYD naturally prioritized investing in R&D for new models, such as the Dolphin, which integrates more advanced thermal management technology. Discontinuing the e1 was a wise decision.
