China carmaker BYD debuts new plug-in hybrid

Qin, BYD Auto's new plug-in hybrid, is seen at an auto show held in Beijing, Nov 26, 2013. [Wu Changqing/Asianewsphoto]

BEIJING - China's leading new energy carmaker BYD Auto launched a new plug-in hybrid in Beijing on Tuesday, with the company trumpeting it as a strategically important model designed for private ownership.

The plug-in hybrid, called Qin, is a dual-mode model designed with a capacity to run 70 km on a single charge under all-electric mode, said Hou Yan, general manager of the company's sales unit.

Hou said that the mileage is enough to cater to the travel needs of work in cities. When the battery is flat, the vehicle can automatically switch to run on petrol, which makes longer journeys possible.

The battery can be charged at home using common electric power.

Market estimates put the price of the Qin at around 200,000 yuan ($32,729), according to a report from Bitauto, a leading information and marketing services provider for China's fast-growing automotive industry.