Electric BYD Song Plus EV withstands bolt strikes untouched, giving an impression of undamaged resilience
In a remarkable incident, a BYD Song Plus EV withstood three lightning strikes while driving in Beihai, southern China's Guangxi. The vehicle, which was on the road on August 6, remained largely undamaged, with only two points of impact on the roof.
The driver, who was unharmed during the incident, remained inside the vehicle after the strikes and called for rescue services while waiting for a tow truck. Videos of the accident were widely shared on Chinese social media platforms.
Li Yunfei, BYD's general manager of brand and public relations, confirmed the incident and shared a report on Weibo, a Chinese social media platform. He stated that the battery, motor, and electrical control system of the Song Plus EV were all intact after the strikes.
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. The Song Plus EV alone sold 59,026 vehicles, making it a popular choice among consumers.
The incident comes at a time when BYD's NEV sales have been declining. In July, sales dropped to last year's level as PHEVs continued to decline. However, the Song family remained a strong performer, with 344,296 new energy vehicles (NEVs) sold in July, down 10.01 percent from June.
The Song Plus EV's ability to withstand lightning strikes without significant damage can be attributed to several key factors. Firstly, the vehicle's power cutoff protection system was activated during the strikes, safeguarding its electrical systems. This system likely disconnected the electrical components from the power source, preventing the surge of electricity from causing damage.
Secondly, the vehicle's outer metal shell acted as a conductor, potentially protecting the internal components from electrical surges. This Faraday cage effect helped redirect the electrical discharge away from sensitive systems.
Thirdly, the structure of the vehicle may have provided additional protection by distributing the electrical discharge away from vital components like the battery and motor. The lack of significant damage to these components suggests that the vehicle's design effectively mitigated the impact of the lightning strikes.
Finally, inspections by mechanics found no signs of short-circuiting in the power battery pack, motor, or electronic control system after the strikes, further indicating the effectiveness of the vehicle's safety measures.
The all-electric Song Plus EV is part of BYD's Ocean series, with a starting price in China of RMB 149,800 to RMB 175,800. Another Song family model in the Ocean series is the hybrid Song Plus DM-i, with a starting price of RMB 135,800 to RMB 175,800.
The incident has sparked interest and admiration among consumers and industry experts alike, highlighting the robustness and safety features of BYD's electric vehicles. As electric vehicles become increasingly popular, incidents like this serve as a reminder of the advanced technology and engineering that goes into these vehicles.
[1] https://www.byd.com/about/news/20210807/34116.html [2] https://www.forbes.com/sites/alanohnsman/2021/08/09/why-cars-are-so-good-at-surviving-lightning-strikes/?sh=57d9776e7d0e [3] https://www.autoblog.com/2019/04/25/tesla-model-s-survives-lightning-strike/ [4] https://www.cnbc.com/2018/08/29/tesla-model-s-survives-lightning-strike-in-california.html [5] https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-08-10/byd-s-electric-car-withstands-lightning-strikes-without-major-damage
(Approximate exchange rate as of August 12, 2021: $1 = RMB 7.1827)
- The electric vehicle, the BYD Song Plus EV, demonstrated remarkable resilience against three lightning strikes in Beihai, China, on August 6.
- The Song Plus EV is part of BYD's Ocean series, with prices ranging from RMB 149,800 to RMB 175,800 in China.
- In July, the Song Plus EV alone sold 59,026 vehicles, making it a popular choice in China's automotive market.
- Despite a decline in NEV sales for BYD in July, the Song family models remained a strong performer, with a total of 344,296 NEVs sold.
- The Song Plus EV's battery, motor, and electrical control system remained undamaged after the lightning strikes, showcasing the technology and engineering behind BYD's electric vehicles.
- The incident has drawn attention from consumers and industry experts, highlighting the robustness and safety features of BYD's electric vehicles in the transportation sector.
