BYD Song Plus EV Survives Multiple Lightning Strikes Unscathed
LienAug 11, 2025, 12:43 PM
[PCauto] Recently, thunderstorms have been frequent. At the Tieshangang Service Area on a highway in Beihai, Guangxi, a rare lightning strike incident occurred. A BYD Song PLUS EV, moving slowly in stormy weather, was struck directly by lightning three times in a row (some video analyses suggesting as many as five strikes). Both the vehicle and the female driver inside were unharmed.
According to witnesses, the area was experiencing severe convective weather at the time, and visible discharges were formed on the roof of the car. Ms. Li, the driver, recalled: “I heard a loud crack, as if something was pounding on the roof, but the dashboard showed that everything was normal.”
Notably, this experienced driver remained calm and, after confirming the vehicle was functioning properly, chose to continue her journey rather than risk stepping outside.
BYD’s After-Sales Team Immediately Activating a Dedicated Service Channel
A thorough inspection confirmed that the Song PLUS EV’s three core components — the battery, motor, and electronic control system — remained undamaged, with only two burn marks, each about 3 cm in diameter, left on the roof rack from the lightning strike.
BYD Service Center’s technical supervisor, Wang, explained: “The lightning strike instantly triggered the vehicle’s multi-level power cut-off protection system. The high-voltage system was isolated within 0.01 seconds, which was crucial to prevent a system short circuit.”
A Witness to the Multiple Safety Design Principles of Electric Vehicles
During a lightning strike, the classic Faraday cage effect comes into play first: the metal body forms a closed conductive structure that channels up to 200kA of lightning current safely into the ground. Dr. Chen from a Chinese automotive safety laboratory noted, “Compared to gasoline vehicles, the integrated battery pack structure of electric vehicles actually enhances this electromagnetic shielding effect.”
Additionally, BYD’s proprietary Battery Management System (BMS) detected the abnormal current and immediately cut off the high-voltage circuit, protecting the power battery pack valued at approximately 19,200 MYR.
Raised Awareness about Vehicle Safety During Extreme Weather Conditions
The local meteorological bureau in China advises that staying inside a car during thunderstorms is indeed safer than being outdoors, but recommends avoiding contact with metal parts on the dashboard and turning off non-essential electronic devices.
BYD took this opportunity to reaffirm its philosophy that “safety is the greatest luxury in electric vehicles.” The company also announced plans to offer free lightning protection inspection upgrades for all its current models.
This is not the first time Electric vehicles have proven their safety in extreme conditions. According to a 2024 report by the Malaysia Automotive Institute (MAI), electric vehicles equipped with comprehensive high-voltage protection systems have a 17% lower accident rate than traditional gasoline cars in tropical, thunderstorm-prone climates.
In response, an optimized algorithm will be delivered through an upcoming OTA update.
As of the time of writing, the affected vehicle has completed all inspections and has been returned to its owner. The BYD engineering team is using the lightning strike data to refine the protection algorithm, with the new OTA update expected to roll out in the fourth quarter of 2025.
This unexpected event not only serves as a live demonstration of electric vehicle safety performance but also provides valuable technical insights for the industry in addressing extreme weather challenges.
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Lexus Drops Full EV Plan, Will Push Hybrids and EVs Together
RobertAug 11, 2025, 12:38 PM
【PCauto】In Q3 2025, Lexus announced a major shift in its electrification strategy. The brand will no longer aim for an all-electric lineup by 2035. Instead, it will take a more flexible path, rolling out hybrids and EVs side by side.
Lexus Developing Electric Coupe as LFA Successor
Insiders say the design takes cues from the Lexus Electrified Sport concept shown in 2021. The car is expected to make its debut in late 2026. The concept promised solid-state batteries, a 700 km range, and 0-100 km/h in under three seconds, turning plenty of heads in the industry. Whether the production model will match those numbers is still unclear.
The timing lines up with the planned end of production for the V8-powered LC 500.
Lexus Shakes Up Sedan Lineup
The next-generation ES sedan, one of the brand’s best-sellers, is already on sale in China and Europe. It will reach the US in the second half of 2026 with both hybrid and all-electric options.
The IS 500 with its V8 is set to end production in 2025, though the hybrid version will stay on sale in North America.
In a bigger surprise, the RC and RC F sports cars will be dropped entirely with no replacements planned. Lexus has yet to share any plans for the future of its flagship LS sedan.
Lexus Plans Major SUV Updates
The entry-level UX will get a full redesign in 2026, but its all-electric version will be dropped. The mid-size NX and RX are set for mid-cycle refreshes in 2028. The rugged GX and LX will be updated around the same time.
Lexus will launch its first three-row electric SUV in 2027, likely based on the Electrified SUV concept shown in 2021.
This year, the current RZ EV will get a major update, adding simulated gear shifts and a steer-by-wire system. An F Sport high-performance model is already set for a 2026 debut.
Lexus Keeps Hybrids as BEV Adoption Varies Worldwide
Lexus global product planning chief Takahiro Fujimoto told reporters in Tokyo that EV adoption varies greatly by region, so the brand must stay flexible. In Europe, fully electric models make up 35% of Lexus sales, but hybrids still hold more than 60% of the market in North America and Southeast Asia.
A new report from the Toyota Research Institute says EV infrastructure will remain uneven globally through 2030, with Southeast Asia lagging the most.
The latest product shuffle will see about 20 billion yen (around 703 million MYR) in R&D funds reallocated.
While technical details of the 2026 LFA electric successor remain under wraps, President Akio Toyoda has confirmed he will personally oversee its tuning to preserve Lexus’ signature craftsmanship.
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