(May 28): BYD Co unveiled a new hybrid powertrain that’s capable of allowing a car to travel more than 2,000km without recharging or refueling.

The upgrade, unveiled at an event that was live streamed from China on Tuesday, means some of BYD’s dual-mode plug-in electric hybrid cars can manage the equivalent of New York to Miami, or Munich to Madrid, on a single-charge and full tank. The milestone marks BYD’s latest achievement in slashing fuel consumption over five generations of hybrids since their first debut in 2008.

Shenzhen-based BYD has upended the Chinese auto market with widespread price cuts, at some expense to profitability. It sold three million cars last year and has delivered almost one million this year through March. For every two hybrids sold in China, one is a BYD, underlining a key revenue and profit driver for the company.

Automakers globally are trying to solve consumers’ range anxiety and make vehicles that are better for the environment. Toyota Motor Corp also on Tuesday unveiled prototypes of a new generation of internal combustion engine that can run on hydrogen, gasoline or other fuels alongside batteries.

BYD stopped producing cars powered by fossil fuels entirely in early 2022 and has been ramping up hybrid exports to emerging markets that lack battery charging infrastructure.

The first two vehicles to come with its 2,100km long-range capabilities are mid-sized sedans — the Qin L and the Seal 06, both of which were unveiled at the Beijing Auto Show in April. They’re part of the Dynasty and Ocean series respectively.

Electric and hybrid vehicles alike are pushing the boundaries on range to tackle what some consumers still see as a detraction when switching from gas.

Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd’s Galaxy L6 hybrid boasts a range of 1,370km while its Zeekr electric 001 model gets 1,000km of range from its Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Ltd-supplied battery.