LiDAR technology, once limited to premium electric vehicles in China, is moving further into the mass market, with BYD’s lowest-priced model set to offer the sensor for the first time.
An updated version of the BYD Seagull, the automaker’s most affordable electric vehicle, appeared in a regulatory catalog released on Thursday by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT). The filing shows that the compact EV will gain an optional roof-mounted LiDAR unit, while retaining the same exterior design as the current model.
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LiDAR, widely regarded as a key component for advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), is used to improve obstacle detection and environmental perception. Its inclusion on the Seagull highlights how falling component costs are accelerating the adoption of advanced sensing technology beyond high-end vehicles.
The regulatory data indicate that the updated Seagull will continue to use a single electric motor, with peak output increased to 60 kW from 55 kW previously. The maximum supported speed remains unchanged at 130 km per hour.
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BYD launched the Seagull in April 2023 as an entry-level battery electric vehicle aimed at urban users. The current 2025 model-year version went on sale in China in August 2024, with a starting price of 69,800 yuan ($10,000), making it BYD’s cheapest offering.