Electric Cars Plus Drones — 3 Stories - CleanTechnica

The article highlights a growing trend in 2025 of integrating drones with electric vehicles (EVs), showcasing three notable examples from major automakers. BYD has introduced the Tai 7, a Land Rover-style SUV featuring an optional roof-mounted drone system and a lidar sensor supporting its driver-assist technology. Priced around $42,000, the Tai 7 is a plug-in hybrid and part of BYD’s expanding lineup that includes models like the Bao 5, Bao 8, and Tai 3. Similarly, BYD’s Denza N9 plug-in hybrid offers an optional drone station co-developed with DJI, priced at an additional $2,230, targeting customers who may use the vehicle in remote areas. Hyundai, meanwhile, has launched the IONIQ 9 Seed Ball Drone Station in Korea, a specialized EV designed for environmental restoration rather than consumer use. This vehicle integrates a drone takeoff and landing platform and uses vehicle-to-load (V2L) technology to