BYD launches its E-Vali electric van in Europe with a 400 km range and competitive pricing, targeting the booming last-mile logistics sector.
Chinese automaker BYD has officially launched its E-Vali electric van in Europe, featuring a 126 kWh LFP Blade battery with a 400 km WLTP range and 12.5 m³ cargo capacity. The move comes as European electric van sales surge 32% year-over-year in Q1 2025, according to ACEA data.
BYD’s strategic European push
BYD has made a significant move into Europe’s commercial EV market with its E-Vali electric van, which began deliveries to pre-order customers last week. The company secured 1,000 pre-orders from European logistics firms, including DPD UK, demonstrating strong market interest before the official launch.
The E-Vali’s competitive edge comes from BYD’s vertically integrated production, particularly its proprietary LFP Blade batteries. This technology allows the van to offer a 400 km WLTP range at a price point that undercuts many European competitors.
Market timing and competition
BYD’s European expansion comes at a pivotal moment. According to ACEA’s Q1 2025 report, electric van sales in Europe grew 32% year-over-year. The company is capitalizing on this growth while competitors face challenges – Kia recently delayed production of its PV5 Cargo van to 2026 due to battery supply issues, as reported by Automotive News Europe on May 22nd.
The Chinese automaker is also expanding its European manufacturing footprint, having begun construction on its second European factory in Hungary last week. This facility will focus on commercial vehicle production, enabling BYD to better serve the local market.
Fleet adoption accelerates
Corporate adoption of electric vans is gaining momentum, as evidenced by Hertz’s recent addition of 500 BYD vans to its European fleet on May 20th. This partnership demonstrates the growing confidence in Chinese EV technology among international rental companies.
The timing aligns with new EU regulations passed on May 21st, requiring a 45% reduction in van CO2 emissions by 2030. These stricter rules are expected to further boost demand for electric commercial vehicles across the continent.
Historical context and market transformation
The current electric van market surge mirrors the early adoption curves seen in passenger EVs. In 2020-2022, companies like Renault and Mercedes-Benz dominated Europe’s electric van sector, but their reliance on third-party battery suppliers created vulnerabilities in their supply chains.
This commercial EV boom follows the pattern of China’s earlier electric bus revolution, where BYD established itself as a global leader. The company’s strategy of controlling core technologies like batteries and motors, combined with aggressive pricing, could redefine competition standards in Europe’s commercial vehicle sector, much as it did in China’s public transportation market.
