Luxury in Sri Lanka’s automotive market is shifting from brand heritage to premium mobility that blends performance, technology and environmental responsibility. At the heart of this shift is the rise of New Energy Vehicles (NEVs), positioning sustainability as a modern expression of luxury.
As Sri Lanka reopens its automotive market and looks towards a low-carbon, renewable-energy future, John Keells CG Auto (JKCG) is helping shape this evolution. Through its partnership with leading global NEV brand BYD, JKCG has introduced a range of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles that deliver both exceptional driving experiences and meaningful reductions in emissions and operating costs.
At the heart of this partnership is DENZA, BYD’s premium brand born from a 2010 joint venture with Daimler, the parent company of Mercedes-Benz. DENZA infuses European-inspired design and luxury craftsmanship with new energy mobility. This collaboration is redefining what premium mobility can look and feel like in a modern, sustainability-conscious economy.
Charith Panditharatne, CEO at John Keells CG Auto, sees NEVs as both a power shift and a national economic necessity, while Yohann De Zoysa, Chairman at John Keells CG Auto, views them as a catalyst for redefining luxury and long-held perceptions of automotive excellence.
Sri Lanka’s NEV Ambition and JKCG’s Role
Sri Lanka has set ambitious targets for new energy vehicles (NEVs), aiming for “about 50% of registrations to happen through EVs by 2030,” as Panditharatne points out. He sees this as both a national and economic necessity, particularly given that fuel imports are among the country’s biggest expenses. “We spend more money on fuel than medicine and food,” he notes, “so imagine replacing that burden with solar or other renewable energy sources. Imagine what else we could invest in if we reduced our fuel bill by just 10% in the next few years.”
The company’s partnership with BYD and DENZA leverages their expertise in battery technology, energy storage and new energy mobility. Panditharatne notes that offering NEVs to consumers is only part of the equation; a fully sustainable and efficient ecosystem must be developed to accelerate NEV adoption across Sri Lanka.
Partnering with a Global Leader in NEV Technology
For JKCG, BYD was a natural choice. While BYD is the world’s largest NEV manufacturer, Panditharatne says the company’s true strength lies in battery solutions. “They came to EVs and plug-in hybrids after decades of innovation in energy storage as a solution to climate change, and that aligns perfectly with our vision for John Keells CG Auto,” he says.
Vehicle sales form only one part of a successful NEV transition; environmental impact, battery recycling and sustainable usage are equally important. JKCG’s NEVs come with an eight-year battery warranty, with batteries replaced if capacity falls to 80%, while the old units can be repurposed.
“In China,” Panditharatne explains, “a battery working up to 40% of its original capacity can be used to power houses before recycling becomes a necessity. JKCG has also partnered with international recycling providers in collaboration with BYD. This ensures that battery recycling and environmental impact are responsibly managed.”
DENZA: Where Luxury Meets Sustainability
De Zoysa highlights the role of DENZA in capturing consumer imagination. “DENZA is essentially BYD’s premium global brand,” he explains. “It’s like what Lexus is to Toyota, taking the best of BYD’s technology and combining it with DENZA’s luxury expertise to create a unique experience.”
Drawing from Daimler’s engineering excellence and BYD’s world-leading battery technology, DENZA represents a new paradigm where sustainable luxury isn’t compromised—it’s elevated. “DENZA embodies what global luxury reports identify as modern luxury—where premium positioning is earned not just through heritage, but through verifiable sustainability credentials and transparent value creation,” De Zoysa adds.
Sri Lanka has been recognised as one of the first markets in the world to introduce DENZA, reflecting the country’s discerning taste and willingness to adopt new technology. Today, luxury goes beyond brand heritage. According to De Zoysa, customers are looking for a complete experience in their luxury vehicle, combining comfort, performance and premium design into a seamless package.
Understanding the Sri Lankan Market
Both executives note that Sri Lankan early NEV adopters are driven by practicality and efficiency. “Sri Lanka is a small country. Most people drive 25–30 kilometres a day. With BYD vehicles offering ranges above 400 kilometres, charging once a week is enough. Combine that with solar-powered home charging, and the operational efficiency becomes clear,” Panditharatne explains.
De Zoysa adds that JKCG’s early investment in training, showrooms and infrastructure has also been crucial to its growing success. “We started one year before the import ban was lifted, building our sales and service teams, opening service centres and ensuring charging infrastructure was in place. When the market reopened, consumers knew they could trust BYD and DENZA.”
DENZA’s luxury positioning is substantiated through sophisticated engineering. The B5 and B8 lead with DM-O plug-in hybrid technology, combining turbocharged engines with dual electric motors for genuine electric-only driving and extended range. Both feature DiSus-P adaptive suspension and 15.6-inch displays. The D9 luxury MPV offers an 800V architecture with DiSus-C intelligent damping control.
These advanced specifications represent Daimler-inspired refinement mixed with cutting-edge NEV technology, delivering tangible luxury experiences backed by measurable environmental benefits.
Expanding the NEV Ecosystem
A complete NEV ecosystem is a sizeable investment, but one that JKCG is committed to building. “We have installed 21 fast chargers across our Keells supermarket network, and every BYD comes with a seven-kilowatt home charger,” Panditharatne says. Beyond this, the company is developing service centres, body shops and training programmes for technicians. Sri Lanka is about five years behind in new energy vehicle technology, he notes, so investing in people is as important as investing in vehicles.
This ecosystem approach also supports corporate adoption of NEVs. For instance, fleet operators can track energy usage and emissions reduction. Over time, this contributes to both cost savings and sustainability reporting, benefiting both the company and the country.
Redefining the Future of Mobility
JKCG sees NEVs reshaping both luxury and national priorities. De Zoysa notes, “Even our largest SUVs, with the most power, are used primarily in pure EV mode for city driving. They boast zero tailpipe emissions while maintaining comfort and performance.”
DENZA’s arrival in Sri Lanka as BYD’s luxury NEV brand signals a broader shift—where premium mobility and environmental responsibility are no longer opposing choices, but complementary values. “The private sector has a huge role in accelerating a sustainable mobility future, and we are proud to lead that transition,” he adds.
Panditharatne adds that the economic impact is equally important. “By reducing reliance on imported fuel, we free up resources for other critical areas. This is not just about selling vehicles; it’s about contributing to the country’s future, one NEV at a time.”