YangWang U8 vs Tesla Model 3: an unexpected comparison for Ukrainian conditions

The Tesla Model 3 and the YangWang U8 are such different cars that it may seem like a strange idea to compare them. One is a lightweight city sedan, the other is a hybrid giant that can float and rotate on the spot. But if you're hesitating between practicality, off-road capability, comfort, and cost, this article will help you put everything into perspective. And most importantly, we will consider everything from the point of view of a real Ukrainian user, not from ideal catalogues.

We remind you that you can purchase home and commercial charging stations in our online storeand also use the public charging stations ECOFACTORcharging points located throughout Ukraine. For convenient access to charging infrastructure, we recommend using our mobile applicationwhich is available on iOS and Android.

Dimensions and purpose: a city against the elements

Tesla Model 3

The Tesla Model 3 is a classic mid-size electric sedan. It is 4720 mm long, 1849 mm wide, and only 1441 mm high. The car weighs 1836 kg, and thanks to its low centre of gravity, it holds the road perfectly. In the city, the Model 3 feels confident: it is agile, lightweight, and doesn't require a lot of parking space. On the highway, it is stable, calm, and has pleasant handling even at high speeds.

However, as soon as the road begins to resemble Ukrainian off-road conditions, the Tesla gives up. The low ground clearance, low front bumper, and complete lack of protection from below make it vulnerable to even medium-sized pits and puddles. This car is not for adventure, but for asphalt.

YangWang U8

The YangWang U8 is the complete opposite. This SUV from the premium BYD brand is 5319 mm long, 2050 mm wide and 1930 mm high. It weighs almost 4 tonnes and has a wheelbase of 3050 mm. This is a huge frame SUV designed for those who want to go where others don't even bother.

The U8 has an air suspension that can change the ground clearance by up to 150 mm. The car can be raised to avoid damage off-road, or lowered for comfortable entry into the garage. And the most interesting thing is that it can float on water for up to 30 minutes at a speed of 3 km/h. This is no joke: BYD has actually developed an emergency "float mode" in case of floods or natural disasters.

For Ukrainian conditions, where rivers burst their banks in spring and roads in villages sometimes resemble swamps, this feature sounds not like a luxury but like life insurance.

Technology: electric versus hybrid giant

Tesla Model 3 - pure electricity

The Model 3 is powered by a 60 kWh battery (LFP, manufactured by CATL). It is an all-electric vehicle with rear-wheel drive and a range of about 440 km in real-world conditions. The maximum power output is 208 kW (283 hp) and torque is 420 Nm. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h takes 6.1 seconds, and the top speed is 201 km/h.

This car is designed for everyday use: commuting, weekend trips, motorway journeys with charging stations. Its architecture is simple, reliable, without complex hybrid systems. But the main disadvantage is its dependence on charging infrastructure.

YangWang U8 - electric with petrol insurance

The U8 belongs to the EREV (Extended Range Electric Vehicle) class, which is a hybrid with an extended range. Under the hood is a 2.0-litre turbo engine that does not turn the wheels but acts as a generator, recharging the 49.05 kWh Blade battery.

In addition, each wheel of the U8 has its own 220 kW electric motor, which gives a total of 880 kW (1197 hp) and 1280 Nm of torque. That's a lot of power even for a supercar, let alone an SUV.

Acceleration to hundreds is 3.6 seconds, making the U8 faster than most sports cars. And most importantly, it can travel up to 1000 km with a full tank and charge. This is a huge advantage for travelling around Ukraine.

Everyday use: who is easier to feed and park

The Tesla Model 3 can be charged at home from a regular outlet or from a station with a capacity of up to 11 kW. Fast charging (DC) at 110 kW allows you to replenish the battery from 10 to 80% in 24 minutes. It's fast, practical and petrol-free.
But you need to have access to a charging station, which is not always possible in small towns or villages.

The U8, on the other hand, combines both worlds. If you can charge it, great. If not, you just fill up with petrol and drive on. Its 75-litre tank gives you a range that's enough to drive from Kyiv to Uzhhorod without stopping.

On the other hand, parking the U8 is a real quest. In the city centre or underground parking, its dimensions are a real challenge. So in the city, Tesla wins, but on the highway and in the mountains, the U8 is in the lead without a chance.

Off-road capability: when the tarmac runs out

Tesla Model 3 is a car for smooth roads. Its main goal is comfort and efficiency on asphalt. It does not have all-wheel drive (in the basic RWD version) and is not suitable for mud, deep puddles or bumps.

The YangWang U8 is designed for something completely different. Its e4 technology allows each wheel to spin independently. This means that the car can literally turn on the spot, spin the wheels in opposite directions and stabilise even if a tyre is punctured.

He also has:

• Air suspension with height adjustment
• Body protection against water (IP68)
• "Swim mode" - movement on water for up to 30 minutes
• "Tank U-turn by 180°

BYD does not recommend using the swim mode on a regular basis, but as an emergency evacuation function, it can save lives during floods.

Charging and range: who will last longer

On long journeys, the question is not only about the distance a car can drive without stopping, but also about the convenience of charging - where, how and how long it takes. This is where the Tesla Model 3 and YangWang U8 demonstrate two different philosophies.

Tesla Model 3: electricity - and nothing else

The Tesla Model 3 has a 60 kWh battery and supports fast charging with up to 110 kW of direct current (DC). According to official data, this allows the battery to be charged from 10 to 80% in just 24 minutes, which is equivalent to approximately 310-330 km of driving range.

Types of charging supported by Model 3:

• Type 2 (AC): 11 kW home or office charger (full charge in 6.5 hours)
• CCS Combo 2 (DC): public fast charging up to 110 kW

Conveniently, Tesla automatically warms up the battery before charging if you have a route through a charging station. This reduces charging time and reduces battery wear. The car also shows you exactly how far you have to go to the nearest station, and even takes into account weather conditions in the calculations.

However, the main problem for Ukrainian drivers is infrastructure. In big cities, such as Kyiv, Lviv or Dnipro, the situation is better. However, in rural areas or when travelling to the Carpathians, difficulties can arise. And it's not a given that every charging point is working properly or free.

YangWang U8: when charging is not a must

The U8 belongs to the class of extended range hybrids (EREV). Its 49.05 kWh battery provides up to 180 km of electric range without the aid of an internal combustion engine. But the main thing is the 2.0-litre turbo engine, which works as a generator and charges the battery while driving or at a standstill. When paired with a 75-litre fuel tank, this gives a combined range of up to 1,000 km.

Charging types for U8:

• AC charging: 7-11 kW (overnight charging at home)
• DC charging: up to 110 kW (like Tesla), charge from 30 to 80% in 18 minutes
• VTL (Vehicle to Load): the ability to power other devices (up to 6 kW, up to 25 hours)

Of course, the pure electric range is less than Tesla's. But the ability to fill up with petrol at any petrol station makes the U8 much less dependent on charging infrastructure. This is especially important in remote regions where there is neither a Supercharger nor normal household charging.

In addition, the hybrid architecture means that you don't have to worry about the battery drain during cold weather - the engine-generator automatically switches on and keeps the system running.

Charging infrastructure in the context of choosing between Tesla Model 3 and YangWang U8: how we at ECOFACTOR help drivers

When comparing Tesla Model 3 and YangWang U8 in terms of Ukrainian realities, it is impossible to avoid the issue of charging infrastructure. Without reliable access to stations, any electric vehicle loses half of its convenience. This is where we, ECOFACTOR, come in.

At ECOFACTOR, we have been working for more than 10 years to make charging in Ukraine not a complicated technical process, but a normal part of the journey. We do not just supply charging stations - We develop and manufacture them in Ukraine, adapting them to local conditions, driver and business needs.

Our stations are not only AC or DC up to 420 kW, but also mobile solutionsThe YangWang U8 is a fast charger that can be easily used at home or in locations with limited access to the power grid. This is relevant both for Tesla owners who charge every day and for those who plan to use YangWang U8 on remote routes where they sometimes have to rely only on a household outlet or generator.

To find the nearest charging point or plan your route, you can use our mobile app, which is available on iOSand on the Android. The application includes map of charging stations throughout Ukraine with information on power, status and connector type. This is convenient, especially if you are on the road, in a new city or want to avoid queues.

We also offer a wide range of accessories for everyday use of your electric vehicle, cables and adapterswhich are available in our online store. They are compatible with most electric cars, including Tesla, and can be useful in situations where a non-standard charging option or a transition between different types of connectors is required.

We also work with commercial facilities such as hotels, restaurants, and business centres to help install charging stations for their customers. If you own such a space and plan to serve electric vehicle owners, including new cars like the U8, we can organise everything from equipment selection to service support.

Whether you choose a city Tesla or an all-terrain YangWang, without a charging ecosystem, this purchase will not work to its full potential. That's why we created the ECOFACTOR platform, which combines charging stations, software, service and support into a single system that is easy to live with and drive every day. 

Interior and technology: different philosophies of comfort

Tesla Model 3

The Tesla cabin is minimalist. One large 15-inch display in the centre, almost no physical buttons. Everything is controlled through the screen. Spacious, clean, but a little cold.

Advantages:

• Simplicity and logic
• Constant software updates:
• Convenient autopilot control and multimedia

Disadvantages:

• Minimum of premium materials
• Lack of "warmth" in design
• Dependence on the touchscreen for even the smallest things

YangWang U8

The U8's interior is the opposite of minimalist. There are six screens, including 23.6-inch displays for the driver and passenger, separate screens at the rear, a 50-inch HUD and luxurious Nappa leather trim.

Additionally:

• 22 Dynaudio speakers
• Satellite phone
• Thermal camera for night vision
• Premium noise insulation

If Tesla looks like a gadget, then U8 looks like a luxury SUV with a technological heart.

Security and assistance systems

Tesla Model 3 received 5 stars from Euro NCAP:

• Adult protection - 90%
• Child protection - 93%
• Assistance systems - 87%

ADAS and autopilot work perfectly, and the collision avoidance system is one of the best in the world.

The YangWang U8 has its own Nvidia Drive Orin control platform with 38 sensors, including LiDAR, radar and cameras. The data processing capacity is 508 TOPS.
The U8 supports L2 automation, but BYD is gradually updating the software. For an SUV, this is enough to avoid dangerous situations in difficult conditions.

Cost, availability and realities of the Ukrainian market

Tesla Model 3 RWD costs about 40,000 euros in Europe. In Ukraine, its price after customs clearance starts at around $45,000. Tesla is no longer a novelty on the secondary market - spare parts are available and the service is developing.

YangWang U8 is a completely different level. Its official price in China is about 1,089,000 yuan (about $150,000). It is not yet officially sold in Ukraine. Obviously, this car is not for the mass buyer.

Conclusion.

Comparing YangWang U8 and Tesla Model 3, it is easy to see that these are two different approaches to electric mobility. Tesla is a rational choice for those who value simplicity, efficiency and silence on the road. It is perfect for daily commuting within the city or between large cities where charging infrastructure has already become part of everyday life.

YangWang U8 is a completely different story. This is a car for those who want to feel confident in all conditions. It can go where others simply do not dare, and at the same time provide a level of comfort that is more like a business class cabin. For Ukrainian roads, where asphalt often ends suddenly, this is a real advantage.

Both cars have their strengths. Choosing between them is not only a matter of budget, but also of lifestyle. If you value technological simplicity, charging speed, and environmental friendliness, the Tesla Model 3 will be a great solution. If you want to have a margin of safety, autonomy, and a sense of complete control, the YangWang U8 will definitely impress.

In any case, no matter which model you choose, it is important to have a reliable charging infrastructure nearby. And this is where ECOFACTOR solutions can make your electric car journey across Ukraine truly comfortable.

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