Author: Larry Evans

The refreshed BYD Yuan Plus (aka, Atto 3) appeared in recent regulatory filings with China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT). Overall, the styling shows only minor tweaks to the exterior. However, there is one seemingly minor visual difference with significant implications, as pointed out by qq.com: the charging port has been moved from the front fender, below the A pillar (see below), to the rear fender (see top image).

Recent reports out of thinktank Ember on China’s record-breaking $20 Billion in August clean technology exports and the underlying data have stimulated discussion online. Electrek focused on the EV exports that are driving much of the growth. Meanwhile Bloomberg put the numbers together with DOE and EIA data to show how China’s cleantech exports are outpacing US fossil fuels (reposted in Energy Connects). The different perspectives are all worth a read.However, beyond national bragging rights, there are significant implications in terms of global trade, global energy consumption and the overall energy dynamic between countries.A Shift n Exports and Energy ParadigmsOf course, comparing fossil fuel exports to cleantech exports is like comparing apples to oranges. The two categories are significantly different. However, the differences indicate a substantial shift in how the world approaches energy and the global dynamics that drive trade.

BYD recently announced, as reported in Chinese media, that its 8th Ro-Ro (roll on-roll off car carrier) ship recently departed from the Xiaomo International Logistics Port in Shenzhen, bound for Singapore with over 6,000 vehicles on board. The energy-efficient ship and the expansion of BYD’s export capacity is newsworthy in and of itself. BYD’s cooperation with Shenzhen Port Group to develop green shipping corridors is also significant. However, within the context of Singapore, the shipment has massive implications for this relatively small market. In 2024 BYD sold 6191 vehicles in Singapore. Roughly the size of this one shipment. However, that made them the largest automaker in the country for the year. Not just in EV sales, but in overall vehicle sales, overtaking Toyota. In addition, BYD was already the top selling automaker in the first half of 2025, with 4,667 vehicles representing an 80.4% YoY increase, distancing itself from Toyota in second. Meanwhile, Tesla, once the top EV brand, declined to a few hundred vehicles. Between the new shipment and first half sales, BYD is looking at over 25% of the total Singapore market, even without including 3Q sales.

On Thursday, October 2, a consortium comprised of BYD, MKX Technologies and Zhidao Network Technology was awarded a contract with Singapore’s Land Transport Authority (LTA) for autonomous buses to start driverless public operation in the second half of 2026. BYD currently has over 300 electric buses BYD in operation or on order in Singapore. The initial pilot phase will add 6 autonomous vehicles alongside existing buses on the 191 and 400 lines, with potential to add another 14 buses in the trial phase. However, this could increase rapidly, with the LTA planning to have 100-150 autonomous vehicles on the road. As CNA reports:"This phased approach enables LTA to progressively scale up the deployment of autonomous buses, while ensuring bus operations remain reliable and safe… AV buses will complement existing buses, allowing us to maintain routes with lower ridership or introduce new services that are hitherto difficult to introduce due to manpower constraint."

As reported by CnEVPost, BYD’s overall quarterly sales were down 1.82% YoY with passenger vehicles down 2.1%, while commercial vehicles were up 52.61%. While PHEV sales were down 23.72%, BEV sales were up 31.37%. While the Chinese market declined, overseas sales were up 146.42%. Looking deeper, the BYD brand saw the bulk of the decline, while premium brand Fang Cheng Bao stands out, with sales up 344.87% in September, driven by the Ti3 BEV and recently launched Ti7 PHEV, which have tended to be supply-constrained.However, this is BYD’s first YoY drop in sales since 2020. In a quarter when several other automakers saw increases. What’s happening?

Clean technology was on full display last week. In addition to global and state leaders, Climate Week attendees include many potential clean technology customers and stakeholders. In addition, New York City is a global hub for venture capitalists looking for their next opportunity. There were many pitches going on, and I only saw a small part. I plan to follow up on the technology in more detail, but a few examples stood out:

Building upon my initial experiences at Climate Week NYC, I shifted from thinking globally to focus on how actions are being taken on the state and city level. While the foolish actions of Trump seem intent on taking the wrong side of history, states are showing leadership. New York is stepping up.This was on full display at the US Climate Alliance roundtable, where Governor Kathy Hochul made a major announcement: Not only was New York supporting the fight against climate change, but also making tangible investments.

Support CleanTechnica's work through a Substack subscription or on Stripe. Climate Week NYC covers topics related to climate change running alongside the UN Climate Summit. I had followed coverage before, but this was my first time covering it. I was a bit naïve in that attempt, as there were almost ... [continued]

BYD recently introduced the new “Haohan” BESS (Battery Energy Storage System), as reported in PV Magazine’s ESS News, CnEVPost and multiple Chinese Media channels. The 14.5 MWh of capacity and 52.1% VCTS (Volumetric Cell to System) are industry leading. However, the implications go far beyond the technical specs.

Over the weekend, BYD announced on a RedNote livestream that the U9 Xtreme version has now broken the overall production car top speed record, clocking in at 496.22 km/h (308.37 mph). The car had just set the EV top speed record of 472.41 km/h a few weeks ago.  In addition, in its first test at the Nürburgring, it set the EV lap record at 6:59.157. BYD also implied that the top speed was limited by the 500 km/h-rated tires, as the car was still accelerating at the recorded speed. And the lap time was also just the start, with the car electronically limited to 350 km/h.