As the first cargo ship goes to Europe, BYD is already carrying its own EVs

 

BYD intends to expand further after surpassing Tesla in worldwide EV sales in the final three months of 2023. The first cargo ship from BYD has arrived. The BYD Explorer No. 1 is China's first ship built to transport local EVs internationally. And it's on its way to Europe.

First BYD ship sets sights on Europe to deliver EVs

BYD's first ship equipped to carry EVs landed at Yantai Port on January 9, ushering in a "new era" for Chinese automobiles.

The ship will then dock in Shenzhen to load automobiles before sailing to Europe. The Explorer No. 1 of BYD is 653 feet (199 meters) long and can transport 7,000 automobiles.

The vessel's builder, China International Marine Containers Group (CIMC), confirmed the news on WeChat on Wednesday.

Zodiac Maritime owns the ship, which BYD is leasing as the first addition to its "sea-going fleet."

The Explorer No. 1 of BYD is the first vessel built by a Chinese shipyard for the purpose of exporting indigenous automobiles. According to the firm, the deal would "ensure BYD's rapid delivery and expansion of overseas markets."

The ship's propulsion is provided by two sets of LNG storage tanks. CIMC claims that by employing green and clean liquified natural gas as the primary fuel, it can "significantly reduce emissions."

The BYD Explorer No. 1 (Source: CIMC)

Expanding around the globe with new models

The industry leader in electric vehicles is rapidly expanding into new markets. BYD is already a market leader in important areas like as Thailand, Brazil, and Columbia. It is also spreading to Mexico, Australia, India, and other countries.

BYD, which began as a battery manufacturer, is developing and shipping EVs at an unprecedented rate. The business recently unveiled three new EV vehicles to add to its expanding inventory.

BYD Yangwang U7 (Source: Yangwang)

This week, the carmaker unveiled the Yangwang U7, a luxury electric sedan with over 1,000 horsepower that will compete with the Tesla Model S Plaid.

Meanwhile, BYD is targeting Tesla's sweet spot with three mid-size electric SUVs designed to compete with Tesla's Model Y. BYD released the stylish Song L less than a month ago. The electric SUV begins at $27,000 (189,800 yuan) and has a CLTC range of up to 411 miles (662 kilometers).

BYD Song L (Source: BYD)

According to Chinese research firm CarFans, the Song L received over 8,000 orders in its first three days on the market.

A month earlier, BYD unveiled the Sea Lion 07, another mid-size electric SUV. Wolfgang Egger, a former Audi and Lamborghini designer, created the Sea Lion 07 concept.