BYD Tang SUV launches in Côte d'Ivoire

From the newsletter

Car dealer Loxea, a subsidiary of CFAO Group, has launched the BYD Tang SUV EV in Côte d'Ivoire. It brings the number of BYD models in the country to four, following the introduction of Atto 3, Dolphin & Dolphin Mini in 2024. Going up to 530 km on a single charge, the Tang has the longest range of any of the other three BYD models. 

• The seven-seater Tang SUV is much larger than the Atto 3, Dolphin and Dolphin Mini, all with five seats. Its larger capacity makes it ideal for families. It widens passenger EV options in Côte d'Ivoire, especially for buyers looking for more space and longer range.

• The entry of BYD Tang in Côte d'Ivoire is part of the Chinese automaker’s Africa-wide expansion. The company, which has a lineup of eight electric passenger cars, is gradually rolling the models in Africa. BYD currently operates in 13 African countries and plans further expansion on the continent.

More details

• With a range of 530 km, the BYD Tang develops 516 horsepower and also provides much larger space than the other BYD models. In comparison, the BYD Atto 3, a mid-size SUV, has a range of 420 km, while the BYD Dolphin is capable of travelling 340 km on a single charge.

• The 2024 BYD Tang has a FOB price of $39,690–$46,690. But this price rises significantly when the vehicle reaches the country, mainly due to taxes and margin. Upon import, Côte d'Ivoire charges several taxes, including statistical duty (1%), community solidarity levy (0.8%), African Union import tax (0.2%), community levy (0.5%), and VAT (18%).

• The introduction of the BYD Tang comes at a time when demand for EVs in the country is high. Besides passenger cars, Italian bus manufacturer Iveco Bus is providing electric buses to SOTRA, the public transit provider in Abidjan. This is for public transportation, and tourism.

• Other electric cars being sold in Côte d'Ivoire include Kia e-Soul, Kia e-Niro, and Hyundai Kona, and light commercial vehicles like the Hyundai Porter electric and Kia Bongo electric. They are being sold by Stellantis-backed dealer Auto24.

• However, Côte d'Ivoire still lacks sufficient charging stations, which is limiting its adoption of EVs. The country made its first charging station in 2022, but progress to add more has been slow. EV.Tech, a charging infrastructure startup, aims to establish 5,000 charging points over the next five years in the country.

• The BYD Tang underlines a notable growth in size of EVs. Previously, the focus of EV companies has mainly been on small cars that can be made more cheaply. Now, however, they are making bigger cars that can accommodate more people and travel longer.

• Africa has a big market for vans and minivans, where they are used for public transport. This is an area that not many EV firms are focused on. Yet, as the continent’s population continues to grow – tipped to hit 2.5 billion by 2050 – demand for public transport vehicles will also rise. 

Our take

• The BYD Tang is a good way to measure demand for higher-priced EVs in Côte d'Ivoire. At the moment, its higher price will likely keep it out of reach of most prospective buyers. Should it succeed however, it could lead to other EV firms launching similar cars in the market.

• Côte d'Ivoire still has a long way to go when it comes to renewable energy. Only 24% of its electricity currently comes from renewable sources. This means the country still powers its EVs using electricity generated from dirty sources, which are also expensive. The country should expedite investments in clean energy to help the e-mobility transition.

• Like in most African countries, motorcycles dominate the Côte d'Ivoire market. The electric motorcycle market is growing at the fastest rate, beating electric passenger cars and will be the pillar on which the country builds its electric mobility hopes.