Electric BYD Song Plus EV withstands direct lightning hits, showing no signs of damage. Unscathed after the electrifying event.
In a remarkable display of electrical safety, a BYD Song Plus EV, part of the Ocean series, withstood three lightning strikes while driving in Beihai, southern China's Guangxi. The incident, which occurred on August 6, left both the driver and the vehicle unharmed [1][2][3].
The Song Plus EV's safety can be attributed to its robust design. The vehicle's metal body acts as a Faraday cage, channeling the electrical current externally into the ground, thereby protecting occupants [2]. Additionally, an automatic power cutoff protection system disconnects key electrical components during lightning strikes, preventing damage or electrical faults [1].
This design ensures that the vehicle sustains minimal physical damage, with the impact limited to external, non-critical areas such as roof points [1][2]. In this instance, the vehicle showed only minor marks on the roof, with no impact on the battery or motor.
The mechanic who inspected the vehicle after the incident reported no signs of short-circuiting in the power battery pack, electronic control system, or motor [1]. This was the first time in their 12-year career that they had seen a vehicle struck by lightning [3].
The Song Plus EV's strong safety performance was further demonstrated by the activation of its power cutoff protection function during the lightning strikes [1][2]. This function is integral to the vehicle's electrical safety, as it blocks electrical faults and enhances safety during extreme weather events like lightning strikes.
The Song Plus EV has a starting price in China ranging from RMB 149,800 to RMB 175,800, making it an attractive option for those seeking safety and reliability in an electric vehicle [1]. Another model in BYD's Ocean series is the hybrid Song Plus DM-i, with a starting price ranging from RMB 135,800 to RMB 175,800 [4].
In July, BYD sold 344,296 new energy vehicles (NEVs), marking a 0.56 percent increase year-on-year but a 10.01 percent decrease from June [5]. The Song family, which includes the Dynasty series Song L EV, Song L DM-i, Song Pro DM-i, and the Ocean series Song Plus EV and Song Plus DM-i, was BYD's second-best-selling model in July, with 59,026 vehicles sold [6].
Videos of the incident were widely shared on Chinese social media platforms, further highlighting the Song Plus EV's exceptional safety features [7]. Li Yunfei, BYD's general manager of brand and public relations, confirmed on Weibo that the Song Plus EV withstood the lightning strikes, with the battery, motor, and electrical control system all intact [3].
References:
- Chongqing Daily
- BYD Weibo
- Sina Tech
- BYD Official Website
- BYD Official Website
- BYD Official Website
- Sina News
- The incident in Beihai, China, showed that BYD's Song Plus EV, part of the Ocean series, has a robust design that can withstand lightning strikes.
- The Song Plus EV's metal body acts as a Faraday cage, directing the electrical current away from occupants, demonstrating its commitment to electrical safety.
- The automatic power cutoff protection system in the Song Plus EV disconnects key electrical components during lightning strikes, preventing potential damage or electrical faults.
- After the incident, the inspected Song Plus EV showed no signs of short-circuiting in the power battery pack, electronic control system, or motor, attesting to its electrical reliability.
- With prices ranging from RMB 149,800 to RMB 175,800 in China, the Song Plus EV offers an attractive blend of safety, reliability, and technology in an electric vehicle.
- The hybrid Song Plus DM-i, another model in BYD's Ocean series, has a starting price ranging from RMB 135,800 to RMB 175,800, providing additional affordable options for consumers seeking electric vehicles.
- BYD sold 344,296 new energy vehicles in July, with the Song family models, including the Song Plus EV, being the second-best-selling in the company's lineup during that month.
