- Chinese EV giant BYD has debuted another electric car for the European market, in the form of the budget, city-focused Dolphin Surf.
- Based on the BYD Seagull EV already sold in China, with several changes for the European market, the Dolphin Surf is set to rival an upcoming cohort of electric vehicles priced around the €25,000 and €20,000 price segments.
- Prices for the BYD Dolphin Surf will start at €22,950.
BYD’s cheapest fully-electric car yet in Europe
Prices will begin at €22,950 for a car with a 322 kilometres (200 miles) battery range, rising to a maximum of €24,990 for one with a maximum range of 507 kilometres (315 miles). The latter will make the Seagull one of the most competitively priced EVs on the market, from a price-to-range standpoint. For a limited time until the end of June, the model will be available at a reduced base price of €19,990. UK-specific pricing for the Dolphin Surf is yet to be confirmed, but should be in line with mainland Europe pricing.
At this price point, the Dolphin Surf will have a number of budget rivals, including some that already beat it on price. Leapmotor’s T03, for instance, is priced from a lower €18,900, and the same goes for the €17,300 Dacia Spring. However, neither offer the level of battery range seen on the Dolphin Surf, which can also be specified with a much more powerful electric motor than the other two. The level of technology on board also seems to be higher than the offerings from Leapmotor and Dacia.
Looking forward, BYD’s new model won’t be short of competition. Renault is gearing up to launch its Twingo EV, a desirable looking electric car which is targeting a price below €20,000 – less than BYD’s new offering. Volkswagen’s cheapest electric car is also on the horizon, in the form of the ID. EVERY1, expected to start around the €20,000 mark. Other rivals include the Fiat Grande Panda and Hyundai Inster.
ElectricDrives will be getting its hands on a Dolphin Surf next month, so stay tuned to discover the initial driving impressions of this new EV.
