mReview: BYD T3 - A Pure Electric Van

In this episode of mReview, we take a look at something more peculiar in the electric automotive scene, a pure electric van from Chinese manufacturer BYD.

There has been an unprecedented rise in Electric Vehicles (EVs) lately. Traditional automotive makers all around the world like BMW, Nissan and even Porsche are scrambling to capture this market share.

In the recent Budget 2020 announcement by Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat, Internal Combustion Engines (ICE) will be phased out in Singapore by 2040. This motion is part of the nation’s efforts to combat climate change.

To support our government’s green initiative, we will be taking a look at a type of vehicle that most people will rarely associate with EV technology – a van.

Labelled as ‘T3’, it is made by Chinese manufacturers BYD, which is an abbreviation for “Build Your Dreams”. The company is based in Shenzhen, China, and provides a large fleet of electric vehicles for Grab.

Distributed in Singapore by the Land Systems sector of ST Engineering, the T3 is a safe, dependable, and eco-friendly option. It produces zero emissions and is perfect for those who drive Cat C type vehicles.

Without further ado, let’s get into it.

1) Battery Life & Performance

Powered by BYD’s proprietary NCM battery, the T3 has a battery capacity of 50.3kWh with a max power of 70kW (94bhp). It also has a max torque of 180 N.m and a top speed at 100km/h, which is quite respectable for an electric van.

The battery can last for up to 300km on a full charge (250km on a full capacity). Thanks to the DC Fast Charging Port, it takes only approximately 1.3 hours to get it to full battery on a 40kW DC charger. It also has the option of regular AC charging at 6.6 kW, but it would take roughly 8 hours to get it to full charge.

It also comes with a warranty of eight-years or 500,000km, whichever comes first (60% range of original battery capacity). For those concerned over battery coverage, this should give you a peace of mind.

2) Interior

EVs are supposed to be futuristic, but there is nothing to brag about for the interior of the T3.

If you are looking at practicality, the interior does check that option. Don’t expect Alcantara leather, two-toned seats or even carbon fibre parts. The interior is what you would expect a van would have. However, it does come with comfortable leather seats.

In terms of safety features, it does come with driver and passenger airbags, as well as a Smart Key and Anti-Theft system.

Noise wise, the T3 is extremely quiet. In fact, the only noise you’ll hear is the sound of the radio and air-con vents, which is expected for an EV.

3) Cargo

The T3 's rear interior has a chequered plate cargo flooring.

It boasts an ample cargo space of 3.8 cubic metres. It can also sustain a payload of 0.7 ton (approx. 780kg), which should meet the transportation demands of most urban logistics systems.

So if you’re looking for a trusty workhorse, the T3 is something to consider.

4) Drivetrain and Performance

If you don’t already know, EVs do not have a multi-speed gearbox like traditional petrol or diesel cars. Instead, the T3 only has a single gear!

Both the gearshift and handbrakes are electronic as well.

The absence of jerks and lags while accelerating really makes the T3 feel like a PMD on steroids. How cool is that?

Another honourable mention for the T3 would be its torque. The torque for this electric van is almost instant! We compared the T3, in terms of take-off from the line, to a Toyota Estima and Toyota Hiace. The T3 obliterated its competition.

Very impressive.

To Buy or Not To Buy?

With a non-guaranteed COE, the list price of the T3 is at S$89,800 (Including GST). In comparison, the closest competitor from an electrical van’s perspective is the Renault Kangoo Z.E, which is listed at S$98,800.

While the price is significantly higher than a petrol van (approximately S$30,000), you could save a considerable amount of money in terms of petrol costs.

Currently, SP Group charges users approximately 41.4 cents per kWh. If you do the math, it equates to roughly S$20.90 for a full charge. Comparatively, a Nissan NV200 costs about S$94.60 for a full tank of diesel.

In conclusion, purchasing a T3 is dependant on your initial budget and terms of use.

If you can afford the initial down payment and have convenient access to charging points, the answer would be yes. If not, then maybe you should consider a petrol minivan instead!

If you're interested to find out more information about the BYD T3 , you can feel free to contact Elaine Tan at (+65 9857 2977).

Read More: mReview: Electric Car Showdown - Hyundai Ioniq VS Nissan Leaf VS Renault Zoe

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