BYD's $300,000 Rolls-Royce Rival Taps Solid-State Battery
BYD is preparing to unveil an ultra-luxury electric sedan under its premium Yangwang badge, directly targeting Rolls-Royce and Mercedes-Maybach. Codenamed Project Hu, the flagship EV is tipped to debut the Chinese automaker's breakthrough solid-state battery technology.
Targeting Maybach and Rolls-Royce with coach doors
BYD has spent the last two years dominating the entry and mid-tier electric market worldwide, but its next target is the ultra-wealthy. Camouflaged testing footage and official teaser images from Yangwang general manager Hu Xiaoqing reveal a massive, 5.5-meter flagship sedan codenamed Project Hu.
The design pulls straight from the traditional ultra-luxury playbook. Rear-hinged coach doors provide effortless access to the rear cabin, positioning the car as a chauffeur-driven alternative to the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class, BMW i7, and Rolls-Royce Spectre. Underneath the bodywork, the vehicle uses Yangwang's quad-motor platform alongside its hydraulic DiSus active suspension system.
Yangwang Project Hu: expected specs and price
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Estimated price | Around $300,000 / £225,000 (2M yuan) |
| Unveiling date | November 2026 |
| Expected launch | 2027 |
| Length | Approx. 5.5 m |
| Door style | Rear-hinged coach doors |
| Powertrain | Quad-motor electric drive |
| Suspension | DiSus active suspension |
| Battery tech | Solid-state battery |
Why the BYD solid-state battery changes the equation
The most critical hardware detail sits in the floorpan. Project Hu is heavily tipped to be BYD's first production vehicle equipped with an all-solid-state battery pack.
BYD executive vice president Stella Li previously confirmed that the automaker plans to field its first solid-state vehicle in 2027. Solid-state cells deliver significantly higher energy density and faster charging than standard lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) packs, but manufacturing them remains prohibitively expensive for mass-market vehicles.
Placing the technology in an ultra-luxury car first mirrors how high-end features historically trickle down to mainstream cars. Rather than trying to squeeze solid-state cells into an affordable commuter car like the Hyundai Ioniq 3, BYD can easily absorb the steep early production costs inside a $300,000 price tag.
Building an expensive car is easy; convincing someone with $300,000 to choose a BYD badge over a Rolls-Royce Flying Spur or Spectre is the real fight. Yet packing a working solid-state battery into Project Hu gives BYD something Western legacy brands cannot match right now: real technological prestige that makes traditional luxury platforms look dated.
Availability and pricing
BYD plans an official reveal for Project Hu in Dubai in November, underscoring its focus on Middle Eastern and international luxury buyers. Deliveries are expected to follow in 2027.
Pricing is rumored to start around two million yuan, which converts roughly to $300,000, £225,000, or AU$430,000. Western availability will likely be limited; while BYD is expanding rapidly across Europe and the UK, homologation and dealer rollouts for its ultra-luxury Yangwang badge outside China remain selective.
With testing underway and a Dubai reveal set for November, BYD is about to prove whether its battery dominance can carry it into the highest echelon of automotive luxury.
Frequently asked questions
How much will BYD's Project Hu cost?
Pricing is expected to start at approximately two million yuan, translating to around $300,000 or £225,000 before taxes.
When will BYD release its solid-state battery EV?
BYD executive vice president Stella Li noted that the company's first vehicle using solid-state batteries is scheduled for release in 2027.
Where will BYD unveil the new Yangwang sedan?
BYD is scheduled to officially pull the wraps off Project Hu during an unveiling event in Dubai in November.
Sources
- BYD’s Rolls-Royce rival is almost ready to go — and it could be the world's first to use solid-state battery tech | TechRadar. techradar.com, 2026. https://www.techradar.com/vehicle-tech/hybrid-electric-vehicles/byds-rolls-royce-rival-is-almost-ready-to-go-and-it-could-be-the-worlds-first-to-use-solid-state-battery-tech