BYD has introduced the first Super Hybrid vehicle that can run on any mix of petrol and ethanol. Built specifically for Brazil, the new powertrain will first appear in the highly limited SONG PRO COP30, of which only 30 will be made. These will be donated to the upcoming United Nations COP30 climate summit.
The new flex-fuel plug-in hybrid system was revealed during the official opening of BYD’s final-assembly plant in Camaçari, Brazil, which is now the production site of the SONG PRO. The vehicle uses BYD’s DM-i (Dual Mode Intelligent) hybrid technology, which prioritises electric driving while using a combustion engine primarily to recharge the battery.
What makes this model unique is its flex-fuel capability. Developed by a team of over 100 engineers from Brazil and China, the new 1.5-litre engine has been adapted to run on any ratio of petrol and ethanol in order to tap into Brazil’s large ethanol infrastructure.
One of these special edition SONG PRO COP30 models was the 14 millionth new-energy vehicle (NEV) produced by BYD, was handed over in a ceremony attended by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. In total, 30 units will be donated to support COP30.
“After two years of effort by more than 100 Chinese and Brazilian engineers, today our 14 millionth vehicle rolls off the production line equipped with the world’s first plug-in hybrid engine dedicated to biofuel. This is not just a technological breakthrough – it is a green and sustainable solution tailor-made for Brazil. Two years ago, on a visit to Brazil, I realised the potential of ethanol. We then decided that we would bring our plug-in hybrid technology, but with a flex engine developed by and for this country. The car we are delivering today to President Lula is proof that BYD not only invests in Brazil but also co-creates with Brazil unique solutions for the world.”
Wang Chuanfu, BYD founder and CEO
The Camaçari facility was built in just 15 months and is BYD’s largest plant outside Asia and the biggest EV production site in Latin America. Already employing over 1,500 workers, it has an initial production capacity of 150,000 vehicles per year, with plans to increase to 300,000 and, eventually, 600,000 units annually, following a new investment announcement made during President Lula’s visit.
“BYD believes in the growth potential of the Brazilian market, has long-term plans for a population that deserves increasingly better vehicles, and will continue to invest to help boost the economy, create jobs, and train the workforce. This factory is 100% Brazilian, created so that Brazilians have access to better, more modern, connected, technological, and sustainable cars.”
Stella Li, BYD Executive Vice President and CEO of BYD for the Americas and Europe
BYD is currently the global market leader in new-energy vehicle production and is expanding rapidly in Brazil. Its dealer network now spans more than 200 outlets across all states and aims to grow to 250 in the near future.
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