BYD cuts Denza Z9 GT EV prices with the new e3 Premium trim, starting at about $50,000

This is car news, not a home energy story, so it won't affect your house or any rebate plans. But here's what happened: BYD's Denza brand rolled out a cheaper version of its Z9 GT electric luxury car in China, called the e3 Premium trim.

The new trim starts at 329,800 yuan, about $49,000, roughly $6,000 less than the top Performance version, which starts at $55,000. Both use three electric motors producing a combined 1,032 horsepower, but the Performance model is slightly quicker (2.7 seconds versus 2.8 seconds for 0 to 62 mph). The cheaper Premium trim actually has a longer estimated range, up to 534 miles on China's testing standard, compared to 509 miles for the Performance version. It uses a 122.5 kWh battery and supports fast charging that can take it from 10% to 70% in 5 minutes. To hit the lower price, BYD swapped in cast-iron brakes and different wheels instead of the pricier carbon-ceramic brakes on the Performance trim.

This car is sold in China now, and BYD's Z9 GT is already available in Europe and the UK at much higher prices, starting around $134,000 in Germany. Whether this new, cheaper Premium trim will come to those markets, or to the US, has not been announced. For now, this is a China-only price cut on a luxury EV, with no clear tie to any home energy program or rebate.