Cheap electric car proves to be a runner, but not in the Netherlands
The BYD Dolphin Surf has only just been introduced to the Dutch market. Worldwide, however, it is already a resounding success. A million copies have already been sold!
Already? Yes, indeed. The BYD Dolphin Surf is still wet behind the automotive ears on the Dutch market, but it is not even that old in its home country of China. The cheap electric car from BYD was already launched on the Chinese market in April 2023. In a good two years, the compact EV has managed to win over many hearts. It owes the Dolphin Surf largely to its pricing, but also certainly to the smart way in which it brings the car to different markets.
For example, one BYD Dolphin Surf is not the other. In fact, the car is not even called Dolphin Surf everywhere. Regardless of where in the world BYD sells the electric hatchback, the EV has a species of animal that lives in or near the sea in its model name. For example, the BYD in its home country and in, among others, the Philippines is called Seagull and in various countries in Central and South America it goes through life as Dolphin Mini.
But there is more. For example, the BYD Dolphin Surf as you can buy it in Europe is a lot longer than the versions called Seagull and Dolphin Mini. The variant of the sharply cut electric hatchback adapted for the European market is 3.99 meters long, while variants sold elsewhere in the world are 21 centimeters shorter. BYD previously pulled a similar trick with the Dolphin Surf’s big brother: the Dolphin.
BYD proudly throws a series of photos into the world showing the Seagull in the Chinese factory in Xi’an where it rolls off the production line. That Seagull looks just a little different than the Dolphin Surf that you may have already seen driving in the Netherlands. The Seagull has already been subtly refreshed in China.
In China, the BYD Dolphin Surf (shorter) called Seagull there has already been given a facelift.
BYD Dolphin Surf in the Netherlands
To date, only 20 copies of the BYD Dolphin Surf have been registered in the Netherlands. The competitor of, among others, the Dacia Spring, Dongfeng Box, Leapmotor T03 and Hyundai Inster has a starting price of €22,990 in the Netherlands. For that money you get an 88 hp variant with a 30 kWh battery, good for a range of 220 kilometers. Higher on the menu are the Boost and Comfort. The former is also 88 hp strong, but has a 43.2 kWh battery that gives the Dolphin Surf a range of 322 kilometers. The Comfort in turn combines that 43.2 kWh battery with a stronger electric motor (156 hp). The Boost and Comfort can also fast charge faster than the entry-level model (65 kW) with 85 kW.