5 Things You Should Know about the FD3M, China's First Mass-Produced Electric Plug-in Car

Toyota increased the Prius Nicad battery lifespan by limiting its electric only mode range (its computer restricts the amount of current discharge) - most PHEV conversions extend the electric only range (usually to a max of 40 to 80 miles) by adding another battery pack which is allowed to fully drain before recharging. These add-on PHEV conversion battery packs will have a shorter actual lifespan than the Prius main battery ( 6 to 8 years for the PHEV addon battery pack vs. 14 to 18 years for main Nicad battery) before they need to be replaced. An easy way to tell what the engineers have done is to check the lifespan of the battery pack warranty. To avoid ever having to payout on the warranted the estimated lifespan of the battery should be about double the length of the battery warranty period. The F3DM uses one main LiFePO4 battery chemical configuration battery pack which from what I understand is about 25% bigger than the Chevy Volt. The F3DM battery chemistry has a long life, a high energy density, and it resists overheating. Reportedly the battery is able to drive the car about 128-109km on electricity until the ICE kicks in to recharge the batteries and keep the electric motors running.

Walter Lee of MD 3:11PM December 25, 2008

3-ton vehicle? .... => Commercial driver's license.

commonsenseisrare of 10:20AM December 24, 2008

I will be interested in seeing how these units perform. I REALLY want to know how these things hold up to collisions. Not much sense in meeting a 3 ton SUV and leaving a widow - just to save a few bucks in fuel. Being "recycled" before my time is not MY idea of saving a planet.

jeff of NM 11:37AM December 21, 2008

These cars have been engineered to beat or surpass American crash standards because they have been planning on marketing them in America right from the beginning.

They have passed the crash tests with flying colors and these weren't little pussy crash tests either done by the insurance institute. These cars maintained a sound body integrity better than most American cars.

If Americans give the Chinese factories plans for crappy products the factories will make crappy products for them . If the American plans call for a high quality product then the factories will make the quality product that was ordered.

The Chinese know the difference between poor and excellent quality and it is BYD's intention to only build the highest quality product possible,

Keith of CO 7:04AM December 20, 2008