BYD manufactures 15-millionth ‘new energy vehicle’

China-based BYD, the world’s leading manufacturer of ‘new energy vehicles‘ (NEVs), is celebrating production of its 15-millionth NEV — an incredible jump from 10 million to 15 million NEVs has been achieved in just 13 months. NEVs encompass both pure-electric BEVs and electrified models featuring breakthrough ‘Super Hybrid with DM technology’, and introducing as many consumers as possible to the performance, efficiency and ownership benefits of these powertrains is a core component of BYD’s overall goal of cooling the planet by 1°C.

Employees marked the latest achievement with a ceremony at BYD’s Jinan factory in China, which commenced mass manufacturing three years ago. The 15-millionth NEV to leave a BYD production line was the 15,000th example of the N8L, a large six-seat SUV from BYD’s premium technology-led DENZA brand. It utilises the same Super Hybrid and e3 (‘e-cube’) platform as the Z9GT which will lead DENZA’s introduction to Europe in 2026.

BYD made its first NEV — the F3DM — as the world’s first mass-produced plug-in hybrid in 2008. It took 13 years to manufacture the first million NEVs, but BYD‘s expansion and the popularity of its products with consumers have allowed the jump from 10 million to 15 million to be achieved in just 13 months. The 14-millionth NEV rolled off the line as recently as 9 October 2025.

Global footprint
The latest achievement completes an impressive year of growth by BYD, with total production for the first 11 months of 2025 totalling 4,182 million vehicles, a year-on-year increase of 11.3%. Overseas sales in the same period reached 917,000 units, surpassing the total achieved in the whole of 2024, and BYD’s global footprint now spans more than 110 countries and regions.

As a technology company, BYD continues to invest heavily in research and development (R&D). In the first three-quarters of 2025 BYD invested 5.3 billion euro in R&D, up 31% year-on-year, bringing the total cumulative investment to more than 26.65 billion euros.

This steadfast commitment has produced innovations in everything from battery chemistry and packaging to intelligent driving assistance and megawatt flash charging, which makes recharging as fast as refuelling and is also destined for introduction in Europe in 2026. BYD is now on sale in 33 countries in Europe, across 1,000 points of sale. Plans are already in place to double the number of dealerships by the end of 2026.