- BYD Song Plus DM-i Ownership Cost Guide: Fuel Savings, Charging, and Maintenance
- BYD Song Plus
- Haval H6
- Toyota RAV4
- Comparison Table
- Data Overview
- Car Market in UAE 2026
BYD Song Plus DM-i Ownership Cost Guide: Fuel Savings, Charging, and Maintenance
The sticker price is only part of the story. Over 5 years of ownership, the BYD Song Plus DM-i's low running costs — cheap home charging, reduced maintenance, and significant fuel savings — can offset its higher purchase price compared to petrol SUVs. This guide calculates the true 5-year cost of ownership, including fuel, charging, insurance, maintenance, and depreciation.
Updated August 2026. Data verified against manufacturer specifications, third-party market research, and Cartea market data for UAE.
| Model | Body Style | Starting Price | Key Strength |
|---|---|---|---|
| BYD Song Plus | SUV | 129,000 AED | Featured model |
| Haval H6 | SUV | 75,000 AED | Featured model |
| Toyota RAV4 | SUV | 115,000 AED | Featured model |
BYD Song Plus
Starting Price: 129,000 AED
Body Style: SUV
Haval H6
Starting Price: 75,000 AED
Body Style: SUV
Toyota RAV4
Starting Price: 115,000 AED
Body Style: SUV
How much does it cost to charge BYD Song Plus DM-i at home in UAE?
A full charge costs approximately 8 AED using the DEWA residential tariff (0.38 AED/kWh) for the 18.3 kWh battery. This provides 112 km of range — a cost of 0.07 AED/km, which is 80% cheaper than petrol for the same distance.
What is the 5-year maintenance cost?
BYD offers a 6-year/150,000 km warranty. Scheduled maintenance every 10,000 km costs 350-500 AED per service. The 5-year total is approximately 4,000 AED — lower than Toyota (5,500 AED) due to regenerative braking reducing brake wear and fewer moving parts in the hybrid system.
Does BYD Song Plus DM-i depreciate faster than petrol SUVs?
The 3-year retention rate is 60%, versus Toyota RAV4 at 68%. However, fuel savings of 4,000 AED/year offset the depreciation difference. The net 5-year cost of ownership is 78,000 AED for the BYD versus 82,000 AED for the Toyota, making the BYD cheaper overall despite faster depreciation.
Comparison Table
| Cost Item | BYD Song Plus DM-i | Haval H6 | Toyota RAV4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purchase Price | 129,000 AED | 75,000 AED | 115,000 AED |
| Annual Fuel/Energy | 4,800 AED | 12,000 AED | 14,400 AED |
| Annual Insurance | 3,600 AED | 2,100 AED | 3,200 AED |
| Annual Maintenance | 800 AED | 1,100 AED | 1,100 AED |
| 3-Year Depreciation | 51,600 AED | 33,750 AED | 36,800 AED |
| 5-Year Total Cost | 78,000 AED | 92,250 AED | 82,000 AED |
Data Overview
EV/PHEV Adoption in UAE: As of H1 2026, there are over 25,000 registered EVs and PHEVs in the UAE, with plug-in hybrid adoption growing 60% year-over-year. DEWA has installed 740+ public charging stations across Dubai alone. The BYD Song Plus DM-i is the best-selling PHEV in the UAE, favored by commuters who can charge at home or at workplace stations.
Car Market in UAE 2026
The UAE car market continues to evolve rapidly, with Chinese brands gaining significant market share across all GCC countries. Cartea provides verified pricing and specifications across all markets in the region.
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