BYD M6 DM driving impression emphasises efficiency and comfort

The arrival of the BYD M6 DM appears to be the answer for consumers keen on electrified vehicles but not yet ready to switch to a pure electric car. In a context of rising fuel prices and an unsettled global economy, efficiency has become a key consideration for families choosing a vehicle. The BYD M6 DM is BYD’s first model in Indonesia not to rely entirely on electric power, incorporating Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) technology via a Dual Mode (DM) system. Unlike the earlier BYD M6, which was a full electric model, this newer variant enables users to charge the battery while also relying on petrol. With this combination, the car remains usable without the anxiety of a depleted battery or difficulty finding charging points for electric vehicles. ANTARA tested the efficiency and driving impressions of the BYD M6 DM on a Wednesday in May along the Jakarta–Bogor–BSD–Jakarta route, covering roughly 150 kilometres, about the distance from Jakarta to Bandung. The result was quite surprising. The trip began with the battery at 98 per cent and the petrol tank full. After the journey, the battery indicator still showed 34 per cent remaining. The fuel consumption was almost unbelievable for a three-row MPV with a roomy body. From a full tank, the refill required amounted to just Rp1,968 or around 0.16 litres of Pertamax at Rp12,300 per litre. In other words, we even got change when paying for petrol with a Rp2,000 note.