4 new 1,000km hybrids for South Africa – Dates and details

South Africa is set to welcome four new plug-in hybrids (PHEV) before the end of the year that can all travel over 1,000km on one top-up.

These models come courtesy of BYD, Haval, Jaecoo, and Omoda, and will make their debut some time between the next few weeks and the end of 2025.

All four hail from China, and all four are in the SUV body style.

BYD Sealion 6 – Q1 2025

The new BYD Sealion 6 will be the Chinese automaker’s fourth model on South African roads alongside the Atto 3, Dolphin, and Seal.

In Australia, its sold in Dynamic and Premium guises, both featuring identical levels of creature comforts but wholly different PHEV drivetrains.

The entry-level option gets a naturally aspirated 1.5-litre petrol engine generating 72kW and 122Nm, meshing with a sole e-motor that brings a further 145kW and 300Nm.

Together, the power units produce 160kW and 300Nm which is put down on the tarmac via the front wheels.

It features a sophisticated single-speed automatic transmission, allowing the crossover to cross the 100km/h landmark in 8.5 seconds.

The pricier Sealion 6 Premium boasts a turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol mill with 96kW and 220Nm combined with two e-motors, one producing 150kW and 300Nm and the other 120kW and 250Nm.

The setup churns out a respectable 238kW and 550Nm and grip is managed by all four tyres, allowing a 0-100km/h sprint of 5.9 seconds.

Both versions incoporate an 18.3kWh battery pack which allows the front-wheel-drive Sealion to travel 92km on electricity alone and 1,092km when both “tanks” are depleted together.

The all-wheel-drive model, meanwhile, offers an electric range of 81km and a diminished overall range of 961km.

The Sealion 6 is launching alongside its PHEV bakkie sibling, the Shark 6, in the coming weeks, though the latter doesn’t qualify to be on this list as it can only do up to 800km.

Jaceoo J7 PHEV – Q2 2025

Arriving in the second quarter of 2025, the Jaecoo J7 PHEV claims to be able to do an impressive 1,200km in one go.

The figure is a result of its 1.5-litre, turbo-petrol engine that is paired with an electric motor integrated into a Dedicated Hybrid Transmission (DHT).

This configuration delivers a good 255kW and 525Nm to the front axle exclusively.

Below the floorboards sits an 18.3kWh lithium-iron-phosphate battery that lends a maximum 90km of electric range without tapping into the petrol tank.

Using a DC fast charger, the battery can be replenished from 30-80% in under 20 minutes.

Omoda C9 PHEV – Q2 2025

Jaecoo’s sister brand Omoda also has something in store for Q2, the luxurious C9 PHEV.

The premium-looking SUV ups the ante with three electric motors working alongside the aforementioned 1.5-litre block and DHT.

As such, the Omoda churns out a generous 440kW and 915Nm, enabling it to “accelerate like a performance car,” its makers said.

A larger 19.4kWh battery elevates the all-electric range to 150km, however, the bigger grunt sees total range falling to 1,100km.

When plugged into a DC fast charger, the C9 PHEV can refill its battery pack from 30-80% in 25 minutes.

Haval H6 GT PHEV – Throughout 2025

Only confirmed for South Africa this past February, the new Haval H6 GT PHEV is slated to arrive on local soil before the calendar clicks over to 2026.

The SUV’s new-energy driveline combines a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine with three electric motors, generating a total output of 342kW and 762Nm.

Hook it up just right, and the sporty SUV can rip to 100km/h in 4.9 seconds whilst staying as frugal as can be.

Its 35.4kWh battery is large enough for an electric range of 180km, and Haval reckons it can even eclipse 1,000km when both the battery and fuel tank work together.

The battery supports both a 6.6kW AC and 48kW DC charger – the latter of which can achieve a 30-80% charge in just 26 minutes.

Haval confirmed that the H6 GT PHEV will sell for around R800,000 upon its South African release, indicating the price range that is likely to be targeted by its PHEV rivals.