Budget-friendly BYD Dolphin Surf is coming to Europe with a sub-$25,000 price tag

The electric car market in the United Kingdom is about to get a bit more exciting. BYD, the Chinese automotive giant, plans to launch its Seagull EV there later this year. The new model will be rebranded as the Dolphin Surf, and will be one of the most agressively priced EVs available in the UK.

While the Seagull, as it's known in China, is priced at roughly $11,000 in its home market, BYD understands that European and UK customers demand higher standards. To meet these expectations, the Dolphin Surf will receive significant upgrades, particularly in terms of safety. This enhanced version is expected to come with a price tag below $27,000, placing it in direct competition with budget-friendly EVs like the Dacia Spring, while also undercutting the anticipated prices of the Fiat Grande Panda and Citroen e-C3.

BYD's executive vice president, Stella Li, emphasizes that the Dolphin Surf will offer exceptional value. While it may not be the absolute cheapest EV on the market, it will provide a compelling combination of affordability and features. The Dolphin Surf is expected to deliver a range exceeding 200 miles, making it a practical option for daily commutes and longer trips.

The Dolphin Surf isn't the only new model BYD is bringing to the UK. The SeaLion 7, the seventh model in BYD's UK lineup and the sixth electric car, is also set to launch soon. BYD wants to nearly double its dealer network across the UK, going from 62 dealers to 120 by the end of the year, with a long-term goal of 150-170 dealers.

BYD's UK country manager, Bono Ge, confirmed that the company is already surpassing its 2023 sales figures, but he hasn't confirmed specific sales targets for 2025 and beyond. However, BYD's ambition to become the world's largest car manufacturer suggests that snapping up a big market share in the UK is among its key objectives.

In addition to expanding its EV portfolio in the UK, BYD is also investing in charging infrastructure. The company has launched its own 1 MW chargers with dual charging guns in China. While there are plans to introduce these chargers in the UK, the rollout is still some time away.

Via