BYD reveals flagship 7-seat electric SUV with over 400 miles of range

This is a car story, not a home-energy one, but here's what's happening. BYD has unveiled a new flagship electric SUV for the European market, the Atto 8, a seven-seat vehicle with up to 405 miles of range on a single charge. It uses the company's second-generation battery and a fast-charging system that can take the battery from 10% to 80% in about five minutes, with a full charge to 97% in nine minutes.

The SUV comes in two versions: a rear-wheel-drive model with 456 horsepower and the longer range, and an all-wheel-drive version with 764 horsepower, quicker acceleration, but somewhat less range at 374 miles. Inside, it has heated, ventilated, and massaging seats, a panoramic glass roof, and seating for seven, with cargo space that expands significantly when the back rows are folded down.

BYD plans to start selling the Atto 8 through European dealers in early 2027. No price has been confirmed yet, but based on how it compares to another BYD model, it's expected to start at somewhere above £47,995 (about $65,000) in the UK. This is a European market release, so it has no direct bearing on home energy upgrades or rebates in the US, but it's a sign of how fast charging and battery range keep improving in electric vehicles, which matters if you're weighing an EV alongside things like a home charger or solar setup.