Karmactive Team
Chinese car maker BYD has brought its most affordable electric car to UK shores. The Dolphin Surf starts at just £18,650, making it one of the cheapest electric cars you can buy in Britain today.
The timing couldn’t be better for budget-conscious drivers wanting to go electric. With rising fuel costs and growing environmental concerns, the Dolphin Surf offers a way into electric motoring without breaking the bank.
In China, where this car is called the Seagull, it’s already a massive hit with nearly half a million sales in its first year. For the UK market, BYD wisely changed the name to avoid any negative associations with the often-unpopular seaside birds.
The car comes in three versions to suit different budgets and needs. The basic “Active” model at £18,650 has a 30 kWh battery that can travel 137 miles on a single charge. It takes about 30 minutes to charge from 10% to 80% at a rapid charger and can go from 0 to 62 mph in 11.1 seconds.
Stepping up to the “Boost” model at £21,950 gets you a bigger 43.2 kWh battery with 200 miles of range. It charges faster too, at up to 85 kW, though it’s actually a bit slower to accelerate, taking 12.1 seconds to reach 62 mph due to the heavier battery.
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The top “Comfort” version costs £23,950 and uses the same larger battery but pairs it with a more powerful motor. This cuts the 0-62 mph time to 9.1 seconds while still managing 193 miles of range. It also adds luxury touches like a wireless phone charger and 360-degree parking cameras.
Despite its low price, the Dolphin Surf packs features you’d expect in more expensive cars. Every model gets a 10.1-inch touchscreen that can rotate between landscape and portrait modes. There’s also a clever function that lets you use the car to power external devices – handy for camping trips or power cuts.
The car uses BYD’s special “Blade Battery” technology, which is designed to be safer and last longer than conventional batteries. Inside, there’s surprising space for a small car, with a 308-liter boot that expands to 1,037 liters when you fold the rear seats.
The Dolphin Surf faces competition from several other budget electric cars. The Dacia Spring costs less but offers fewer features and less range. The Citroën ë-C3 starts at a similar price (£18,305) but can’t match the Dolphin Surf’s range. More stylish options like the Renault 5 (£22,995) and new models from Fiat and Hyundai are also fighting for the same buyers.
BYD’s push into the UK is helped by Britain’s decision not to impose tariffs on Chinese electric cars, unlike the European Union which added 17.4% tariffs. This gives Chinese brands a price advantage in the UK market.
The arrival of affordable electric cars like the Dolphin Surf is already forcing established car makers to speed up development of their own budget electric models. Volkswagen is working on its ID.1, while Renault is updating its Twingo electric car.
For ordinary drivers, this competition is good news. It means more affordable options and faster innovation in small electric cars. As BYD’s Stella Li put it, “compact cars are the next frontier for electrification in Europe.”
With its mix of affordable pricing, decent range, and modern features, the Dolphin Surf represents a serious challenge to both European and other Chinese manufacturers. For UK drivers, it’s one more sign that electric cars are becoming an option for everyone, not just the wealthy.
