BYD celebrated a major milestone as its Seal EV was crowned the winner of the 3rd Japan Annual EV Awards, marking the brand’s second consecutive victory following the Dolphin EV’s win last year.
The BYD Seal EV edged out strong competitors, including the Honda N-VAN e: and the Hyundai IONIQ 5 N, further cementing BYD’s growing reputation in Japan’s competitive EV landscape. This latest accolade adds to the Seal’s growing list of achievements, having also been named one of the “Top Ten Best Models” for 2024–2025 by the Japan Car of the Year Selection Committee.
Debuting in Japan in early 2024, the Seal EV quickly impressed both the public and industry experts. EVsmart, the organizer of the awards, praised the Seal EV for its “extremely beautiful design style and comprehensive performance,” highlighting its balance of elegant aesthetics and powerful driving dynamics. EVsmart further described the Seal as not only a benchmark for pure electric vehicles but also a standout for its high-quality driving experience.
The BYD Seal EV, a sleek 4-door sedan, draws inspiration from marine life with its flowing, streamlined design, symbolising the movement of sea creatures.
The Seal EV features BYD’s innovative 82.56 kWh Blade battery, offering impressive performance. The four-wheel drive variant accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.8 seconds, while the rear-wheel drive version achieves the same in 5.9 seconds.
Drivers can choose from cruising ranges of 510 km, 600 km, and 650 km, depending on the variant. Fast charging capabilities allow the battery to replenish from 30% to 80% in just 20 minutes, making it a practical choice for daily driving and long journeys.
Inside, the Seal EV offers a modern, tech-focused cockpit, complete with a 10.25-inch digital instrument panel, a 15.6-inch floating central touchscreen, a windshield head-up display (W-HUD), and a sporty flat-bottom steering wheel, all running on BYD’s DiLink 6.0 infotainment system. Advanced driver assistance systems come standard across the lineup, enhancing safety and convenience.
Looking ahead, BYD is aiming to expand its presence in Japan further. According to Liu Xueliang, General Manager of BYD Asia Pacific Automotive Sales Division and President of BYD Japan, the company plans to introduce its first plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV) in Japan this year, with a commitment to launching new models annually, covering both pure electric and plug-in hybrid segments.
With growing recognition and a robust product roadmap, BYD is quickly establishing itself as a serious contender in Japan’s evolving electric vehicle market.
