400 out of 3,000 BYD EVs ready for delivery in Sri Lanka
With the world witnessing a revolution in the new energy vehicle (NEV) space, here in Sri Lanka John Keells CG Auto (JKCG) received the first batch of 400 BYD electric cars recently at the Hambantota Port. The company received more than 3,000 orders to date, and all deliveries will take place within the next few weeks.
There was a time where people thought twice before purchasing an electric vehicle as the infrastructure was not available in Sri Lanka but today with more charging points established islandwide, these cars are popular.
Since John Keells Holdings PLC and CG Auto Pte Ltd partnered and entered the automotive industry in 2023, 10 fast charging points have been established at Keells outlets around Sri Lanka and in another three months there will be more than 20 charging points.
On Thursday, JKCG handed over the first BYD car to two of its customers at an event held at the JKCG Auto Showroom and Service Centre in Colombo. Prices of the cars range from Rs. 10.7 million up to Rs. 21 million after clearing customs in Sri Lanka. Currently there are four car models; BYD Sealion 6, BYD Atto 3, BYD Dolphin and BYD Seal.
John Keells Group, President – Retail Sector, Charitha Subasinghe, on the sidelines of the event, told the Business Times, “There are 10 fast chargers at Keells outlets islandwide. We will continue to expand the charging points at our Keells outlets. There were only 5000 EVs in the country before the vehicle import restrictions were taken off. As more EVs are imported the demand for more charging points evolved. China’s Sinopec fuel stations will also set up charging points in the near future.”
He also mentioned that JKCG has received more than 3000 orders, “The first shipment brought 400 vehicles. Any new BYD vehicle ordered now will be delivered in the next three months. Anyone who has made an advance payment will not have to pay more once the vehicle arrives. The second shipment will reach Hambantota port by the second week of April,” he noted.
John Keells Holdings PLC, Chairperson, Krishan Balendra at the event stated, “We look forward to commencing the first deliveries of BYD vehicles to customers and in the process, driving Sri Lanka’s accelerated transition into sustainable mobility. These first deliveries mark a culmination in a years-long effort to establish BYD, the world’s leading NEV brand, in Sri Lanka, and serves as an important milestone for our nation’s automotive industry, and for the aspirations for sustainable vehicle ownership for many Sri Lankans. By serving as the link between the world’s leader in NEVs, we also hope to establish Sri Lanka’s NEV transition over the coming years into a global benchmark for sustainable transportation.”
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