BYD’s first 7-seat SUV is cheaper than the Defender in the UK

This news is about a car, not a home upgrade, but it's worth a quick note since it touches plug-in hybrid technology some homeowners consider alongside home EV charging setups. BYD has opened UK orders for its Ti 7, a seven-seat plug-in hybrid SUV, with prices starting at £47,995 ($65,000). That's notably less than the Land Rover Defender 110 PHEV, which starts at £71,840 ($97,000).

The Ti 7 pairs a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine with three electric motors for a combined 402 horsepower, plus a 35.6 kWh battery that gives up to 74 miles of pure electric range (up to 102 miles in city driving). By comparison, the Defender's plug-in hybrid version only manages 31.1 miles of electric range. A longer electric range before the gas engine kicks in generally means less time plugged into a home charger and lower fuel use for daily driving.

The SUV comes loaded with features like heated and ventilated seats, a large infotainment screen, and even a built-in fridge, but for now it's a UK-only launch. Deliveries are expected to start in January 2027, with a £500 refundable deposit (matched by BYD) required to reserve one. There's no word yet on US pricing or availability, so this doesn't directly affect home charging plans in the States yet, but it signals plug-in hybrids with much longer electric-only ranges are becoming more common and more affordable.