Tesla Model 3 RWD vs BYD Seal: charging cost, time & specs in China
A side-by-side comparison of the Tesla Model 3 RWD and BYD Seal for buyers in China: battery, charging speed, realistic range and what each costs to charge at home and at a public DC station.
Specifications side by side
Units
| Specification | Tesla Model 3 RWD | BYD Seal |
|---|---|---|
| Usable battery capacity | 60 kWh | 80.6 kWh (best) |
| DC fast-charge power (peak) | 175 kW | 230 kW (best) |
| Real 10-80% DC time | 24 minutes | 15 minutes (best) |
| AC charge power (onboard) | 11 kW (best) | 11 kW (best) |
| Manufacturer-claimed range | 634 km (CLTC) | 650 km (CLTC) (best) |
| Realistic range estimate | 507 km | 520 km (best) |
| Battery chemistry | LFP | LFP |
10-80% times without a measured figure are estimates assuming constant charging power.
Charging cost comparison
| Scenario | Tesla Model 3 RWD | BYD Seal |
|---|---|---|
| At home (AC) 20% → 80% | ¥21.60 (best) | ¥29.02 |
| Public DC 20% → 80% | ¥64.80 (best) | ¥87.05 |
Key differences
- BYD Seal carries the bigger battery (80.6 kWh vs 60 kWh), about 34% more capacity.
- BYD Seal charges faster on DC (55 kW higher peak, ultra-fast DC vs ultra-fast DC).
- Both use LFP batteries, so their charging behaviour and care are similar.
- Tesla Model 3 RWD is more energy efficient, by about 4 kWh/100 km.
What the numbers say
- Faster to 80%: BYD Seal (about 9 minutes ahead of Tesla Model 3 RWD).
- Goes further on a charge: BYD Seal (about 13 km more than Tesla Model 3 RWD, realistic).
- Cheaper to charge at home: Tesla Model 3 RWD (about ¥7.42 less than BYD Seal).
- Cheaper at a public DC charger: Tesla Model 3 RWD (about ¥22.25 less than BYD Seal).
As of 2026-06-03
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper to charge, the Tesla Model 3 RWD or the BYD Seal?
- At a public DC charger (20-80%), the Tesla Model 3 RWD is the cheaper of the two at about ¥64.80.
Which charges faster, the Tesla Model 3 RWD or the BYD Seal?
- The Tesla Model 3 RWD reaches 80% sooner, taking about 21 minutes on DC fast charging.
What is a BEV, and how is it different from an EV, PHEV, and HEV?
- EV (electric vehicle) is an umbrella term for any vehicle driven by an electric motor. A BEV (battery electric vehicle) is a fully electric car powered entirely by its battery and charged from the electricity grid, with no petrol engine. This is the type this calculator is built for. A PHEV (plug-in hybrid) pairs a petrol engine with a battery you can charge from the grid. An HEV is an ordinary hybrid that can't be plugged in; its battery recharges itself while you drive. There are also FCEVs, which run on hydrogen fuel cells. This calculator is for cars you charge from the grid (BEVs, and PHEVs in electric mode), so ordinary hybrids like the BYD M6 DM or Nissan Kicks e-Power aren't included.