Our latest fleet addition is only only our first BYD long-termer but also our first Chinese brand. John Challen gets his hands on it for three months.

BYD Seal Excellence Twin Motor Excellence AWD 3.8S

P11D: £48,640 BiK: 3% EFFICIENCY: N/A Miles (RANGE): 323 miles Miles (ON FLEET): 311 miles

First report:

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

A first for us here at EV Fleet World towers, as we welcome a Chinese manufacturer’s car onto the long-term fleet. In the case of BYD, we’ve had the opportunity to sample most models in the ever-growing range, but the Seal has eluded us, so a few months spent with the much talked-about car seemed the best way to put that right.

The arrival of more and more Chinese brands into the UK market means it’s difficult to dismiss them, regardless of what drivers think about them or the vehicles they offer. From my first interaction with a BYD model – the Atto 3 – I was blown away with its suitability for European roads, driving styles and driver requirements. Certainly, in the case of our Seal – in Twin Motor Excellence AWD 3.8S trim – drivers will want for very little. Fully loaded is an often-used phrase, but it is one that perfectly describes LC25 EZU. All for under £50k, which seems pretty reasonable.

Performance is impressive too. The ‘3.8’ tag refers to the time it takes to hit 62mph from a standstill, aided by 530hp and nearly 670Nm of torque. However, as I’ve written about before, my driving is a bit more sedate these days – although such performance might change that (all in the name of a proper vehicle appraisal, of course).

It’s early days, so some things take getting used to, or figuring out. One being the air-con which initially seems a bit reluctant to help get to the required low temperatures as quickly as possible. It gets there eventually, but more than one of the Challens (including me) have had the fleetingly wondered if it is working correctly. Another obvious feature to get used to is the ‘Shadow green’ colour. I’m quite a fan – and so are many others, it turns out. Not only did I pass an identically coloured Seal the other day just along the road from me, but it’s a shade that more and more people are choosing in models from other brands.

Taking the whole ‘going green’ thing to a new level, I guess!