BYD India, the local arm of Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD, on Tuesday announced plans to introduce its first plug-in hybrid vehicle in the country, the Seal U SUV, later this year. The model will be based on the company's DM-i (Dual Mode Intelligent) technology platform.While the company showcased the technology in India, it did not disclose pricing details, saying specifications and prices would be announced closer to the launch.DM-i technology follows an electric-first approachUnlike conventional hybrid systems, where the petrol engine serves as the primary source of power and the battery provides support, BYD's DM-i technology is designed around an electric-first philosophy.Under this system, the battery powers the vehicle during most driving conditions, while the petrol engine is used mainly to extend driving range and improve efficiency when required.According to the company, vehicles based on the DM-i platform can offer a combined driving range of more than 1,200 kilometres on a single charge and a full fuel tank.EV demand remains strong despite market challengesBYD India, which has crossed 14,000 customers in the country, is looking to strengthen its position in India's rapidly expanding electric vehicle market. The company said it has seen an increase in sales enquiries following multiple fuel price hikes in May."India saw its highest monthly EV car sales in May at around 25,000 units, according to Vahan data. The growth is not stopping. Electrification growth will continue and should continue," BYD India Head of Electric Passenger Vehicles Business Rajeev Chauhan told PTI.He said BYD aims to familiarise more consumers with electric mobility through alternative technologies before they eventually move to fully electric vehicles.When asked about the broader EV market outlook, Chauhan said adoption continues to gather pace across the country.Fuel price hikes boost customer interestCommenting on recent fuel price increases amid geopolitical tensions, Chauhan said the company has noticed a rise in consumer interest in electric vehicles."We see a slight increase in enquiries at our dealerships. But Indian customers are very intelligent. They wait and watch. Nevertheless, there is an uptick in EV enquiries," he added.Charging infrastructure concerns easingAddressing concerns around charging infrastructure, Chauhan said the situation has improved considerably over the past five years, particularly in urban areas."Especially in metro cities, we really don't need to plan anything. It is only on highways where route planning is required. This technology helps address that challenge. I am very bullish that charging infrastructure anxiety is going away much quicker than we thought," he said.BYD bets on DM-i as a bridge to full electrificationChauhan described the DM-i platform as a technology that combines the advantages of electric mobility with the flexibility of a fuel-powered vehicle for longer journeys."We invented this technology, we popularised this technology and through this technology we brought in electrification as our final goal," he said.He added that the system is designed to operate largely as an EV during everyday commutes while retaining the convenience of a petrol engine for extended travel."The first car that we are contemplating for India is the Seal U. It is a regular SUV-shaped car. Our timeline, as it looks today, is within this year. Customers in India would see not only the platform but the platform with the car," Chauhan said.Range of over 1,200 km claimedThe company said the Seal U SUV based on DM-i technology is expected to deliver a combined range exceeding 1,200 km."The technology can bring in a range which is more than 1,200 kilometres. When we announce the model, we will publish the exact range," Chauhan said.He noted that customers who have access to charging at home or work could drive almost entirely in electric mode for extended periods."If a customer drives only 50 kilometres in the city every day and has a charger at home or office, then they can remain in EV mode for a week, a month, six months or even a year if they charge daily," he said.Seal U SUVs to be importedChauhan confirmed that the Seal U SUV will be imported into India. However, he declined to comment on future localisation plans, including the possibility of battery manufacturing in the country.