Driving the e6
The e6 suits someone who wants a simple, practical station wagon workhorse with no frills and few mod cons. It drives more like a diesel with no gears than a modern EV: steady and linear rather than sharp or exciting. It has the creature comforts you would expect, including air conditioning and cruise control, but that is the limit of its technology. There is no smartphone integration, no driver assistance systems, and no over-the-air updates. What it is, is simple, reliable, and spacious.
At 2,400 kg empty, the e6 is a heavy vehicle by any standard. That weight is felt from the moment you pull away. Acceleration is modest compared to other EVs: the 90 kW motor and 450 Nm of torque give it plenty of low-speed pulling power, but the mass means that progress is unhurried. On a motorway on-ramp or when overtaking, the car requires planning ahead in a way that a lighter EV would not.
What the torque does well is low-speed work. In town traffic, on inclines, or when loaded with passengers and luggage, the 450 Nm is always available from a standstill. The car never feels stressed in these conditions; it simply pulls. The single-speed reduction drive means there are no gear changes, no hesitation, and no engine noise. It is quiet and smooth, just not quick.
Drivers coming from a Nissan Leaf, a Tesla, or a modern BYD will notice the difference immediately. The e6 is a working vehicle that happens to be electric, not an EV that happens to be practical. Once that expectation is set, most owners find it a very easy and comfortable car to live with day to day.
Charging the e6
One of the most important things to understand about the NZ and Australian e6 is that it does not have DC fast charging. The cars in this region are the Singapore HDT specification, which was fitted with AC charging only. There is no CCS, CHAdeMO, or GB/T DC port. Any charger that is DC-only cannot be used with these vehicles.
What the e6 does have is a very capable AC onboard charger, rated up to 43 kW on three-phase AC. This is significantly faster than most EVs of its era, and puts it ahead of many newer vehicles as well. In practice, 22 kW three-phase AC chargers are the most widely available at public charging sites in New Zealand and Australia, and these work very well with the e6. At 22 kW, the 82 kWh battery charges from flat to full in approximately 4 hours.
For home charging, most owners use a single-phase 16-amp commando (caravan-style) plug, which will charge the car to around 50% overnight. For heavier users, a 7 kW wall-mounted charger is a straightforward and relatively inexpensive installation, and will charge the car from flat to full in approximately 10 hours. For those with three-phase power available, a 22 kW three-phase charger will do the same in four hours.
When planning longer trips, the key is to identify three-phase AC chargers rather than DC chargers. Many charging networks label their chargers by connector type and power level, so filtering for Type 2 AC at 11 kW or 22 kW will find compatible stations. A 22 kW charge for one hour adds roughly 22 kWh, or approximately 100 km of range. To use public chargers you will need your own Type 2 three-phase cable, as public chargers in New Zealand and Australia do not have tethered cables.
To stop the e6 charging, hold the unlock button on the key fob until the car releases the cable. This can take 10 to 15 seconds.
If a charger has malfunctioned and the car will not release the cable, there is an emergency release inside the boot. Open the panel on the left side of the boot and pull the small wire at the back of the charging port assembly. The wire must be pulled 90 degrees to the side of the car, directly out toward the middle of the boot. It will only move about 5 mm. If it will not pull out, give the charge plug on the car a gentle wiggle and try the wire again.
Charger Compatibility
The e6 is compatible with the majority of Type 2 AC chargers in New Zealand and Australia. In most cases, plugging in with your own Type 2 cable is all that is required.
However, some chargers, particularly those on the Zero network, require the use of a Tesla Tap. With the adapter in place, the charger will stop after approximately a minute. Simply unplug the cable from the car and plug it back in immediately, and the charger will resume and charge at full speed. If you regularly use Zero network chargers, a Tesla Tap is a worthwhile addition to your charging kit.
Battery Longevity
The LiFePO4 battery chemistry used in the e6 is exceptionally durable. As a commercial taxi, these cars routinely covered around 100,000 km per year, and vehicles with over 500,000 km on the original battery are not uncommon. The highest mileage we have seen is 1.1 million km on its original battery, still returning around 300 km to a charge. LiFePO4 chemistry is inherently more stable and longer-lived than the NMC chemistry used in most consumer EVs, and for private owners battery degradation is unlikely to be a concern for many years of normal use.
To get the most life from the battery, avoid leaving the car sitting fully charged or fully flat for extended periods. Storing it somewhere in the middle of its charge range is better for long-term health.
Vehicle to Load
Vehicle to Load (V2L) is the ability of an electric vehicle to supply AC power from its battery to external devices or appliances, effectively turning the car into a large portable power source. Where a standard EV simply draws power from the grid to charge, a V2L-capable vehicle can also push power back out through a socket, running anything from a laptop or power tool to a kettle, a refrigerator, or camping equipment.
The output is standard AC power, the same as a wall socket, which means ordinary household appliances can be plugged in directly without any special equipment beyond the connector. The available power varies by vehicle, but is typically enough to run several appliances simultaneously. This makes V2L particularly useful for camping, worksite use, or as a backup power source during an outage.
The BYD e6 is capable of a 4.5 kW V2L output single phase via aftermarket adapters. Very handy for running tools and camping.
Towing with the e6
The e6 does not have an official tow rating in New Zealand or Australia. It does not have a manufacturer's towing rating. This does not mean it cannot tow.
The e6 is a 2.4 tonne commercial vehicle built for heavy daily use, with 450 Nm of torque available from a standstill. It has a 10-bolt towbar mounting point, and many owners tow extensively with their vehicles. The platform was engineered to carry passengers and luggage over long distances in demanding conditions, and the powertrain is well suited to the steady, sustained load of towing.
As with any vehicle towing without a formal rating, owners should use their own judgement and ensure their setup is safe and legal for their situation.
