BYD Seal EV Crowned EV of the Year 2024 in Japan

BYD, the Chinese electric vehicle (EV) company, has just made an announcement that its Seal EV sedan has been awarded the "EV of the Year 2024" title in Japan. This is a major success for the company since it is the second time running that they have won. The BYD Dolphin EV was awarded the same title in 2023. The Seal led the list, followed by the Honda N-VAN e: in second position and the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N in third.

The BYD Seal EV: The Analysis

The BYD Seal EV came to Japan in 2024 with rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive variants. The four-door sedan is 4800 mm long, 1875 mm wide, 1460 mm tall, and has a wheelbase of 2920 mm. The styling of the vehicle follows the flowing shapes of sea animals moving in the ocean. It is equipped with an 82.56 kWh BYD Blade battery pack, which can deliver excellent performance and enormous range.

Performance-wise, the four-wheel-drive Seal accelerates from 0-100 km/h in a blistering 3.8 seconds, one of the quickest in its segment. The rear-wheel drive model is a tad slower at 5.9 seconds to the same speed.

Excellent Range and Charging Capability

One of the most impressive features that earned the BYD Seal the top spot in EV of the Year award is the range. In its 2025 model, it has over one option with ranges for 510 km, 650 km, and 600 km when charged at a single stage. For its quick charging mode, the Seal is able to be between 30% and 80% after just 20 minutes, offering convenience to consumers who want an opportunity to have a quick charge.

Voter Feedback and Industry Recognition

EVsmart, sponsor of the Japan Annual EV Awards, mentioned the huge popularity the BYD Seal received both from the public and industry voting. Voters loved its sleek appearance and performance. Several praised its superb driving experience, particularly the four-wheel-drive version, which is great EV handling. The Seal was also praised for offering value for money in producing a premium driving experience.

Other Competitors

The Honda N-VAN e:, a compact Kei EV, was second with 182 points, with the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N taking third place on 176 points. Other popular models in contention were the Tesla Model 3 Performance, which came fourth, and a few other electric vehicles that were also shortlisted, such as the Mitsubishi Minicab EV, Volvo EX30, and the Mini Cooper E/SE.

BYD's Ongoing Success in Japan

The Japan Annual EV Awards were launched in 2022 to promote EV adoption and reward outstanding vehicles in Japan. This is the second consecutive year that BYD has won the "EV of the Year" award, with the BYD Dolphin winning in 2023.

The popularity of the BYD Seal is not just a victory for the company but also a reflection of the growing trend of electric vehicles in Japan. The Seal's recognition comes at a time when Japan is looking towards cleaner forms of energy.

Looking Ahead for BYD

BYD has big plans for its future in Japan. The automaker will launch its first plug-in hybrid model there this year and new models each year, including pure electric and plug-in hybrid cars. BYD Asia Pacific Automotive Sales Division general manager Liu Xueliang says the automaker is committed to expanding its business in Japan.

Apart from winning the "EV of the Year" award, the BYD Seal was also named one of the "Top Ten Best Models" for 2024-2025 Japan Car of the Year by the Japan Car of the Year Selection Committee. Thanks to its remarkable performance and excellent driving experience, the BYD Seal is setting the benchmark high for future electric vehicles in Japan and beyond.

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