Technical specifications of the BYD Dolphin Surf
The BYD Dolphin Surf stands out for its impressive technical specifications, combining performance, practicality and innovation. This compact electric vehicle is based on BYD's e-Platform 3.0 platform, specially designed for electric vehicles.
It incorporates cutting-edge technologies and features that position it as a serious contender in the electric city car market. Let's take a closer look at its main technical assets, from its engine to its on-board equipment, not forgetting its dimensions and interior space.
Motorisation and autonomy
The BYD Dolphin Surf, the European version of the popular BYD Seagull, offers a good compromise between performance and range for a compact electric model. Here are the main features:
- Motorisation The model will be powered by a 55 kW engine, offering a dynamic drive that's perfect for both city and country driving.
- Battery It will be equipped with a 39 kWh battery, guaranteeing a range of 300 km WLTP cycleideal for daily commutes and occasional getaways.
- Alternative version A version with a smaller 30.1 kWh battery exists in China, offering a range of less than 250 km in the WLTP cycle, but it may not be available in Europe.
- Refill Fast charging: Although details of fast charging have not been specified, the model should benefit from modern technologies for convenient charging.
Dimensions and habitability
The BYD Dolphin Surf stands out for its compact dimensions, which are ideal for use in urban environments, while offering appreciable comfort for its occupants. Here are the key points:
- Length 3.78 metres, making it easy to manoeuvre and park in town.
- Width 1.72 metres, providing good stability on the road and a pleasant ride.
- Habitability Despite its compact size, the Dolphin Surf offers surprising interior space, with a spacious, well-appointed cabin that's ideal for daily commutes and short getaways.
- Safe With an adapted boot volume, it's easy to carry luggage or shopping.
Thanks to its well-balanced dimensions, the BYD Dolphin Surf offers optimum interior space, combining comfort and practicality for its passengers with agility in urban environments.
On-board equipment and technologies
The BYD Dolphin Surf, soon to arrive on the European market, boasts a competitive technological package for an electric micro-city car. Here are the main features expected to be present:
- Driving aids The Dolphin Surf will be equipped with a number of state-of-the-art driver assistance systems, including automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist and blind spot monitoring, for safer driving.
- Multimedia system A generously sized central touchscreen will provide an intuitive interface for controlling navigation, media and vehicle settings. It should be compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for seamless connectivity with your smartphone.
- Air conditioning : The model will feature automatic air conditioning, guaranteeing optimum comfort in all seasons.
- Meticulous design The design of the car, inside and out, is modern and well thought-out, a key factor in its success in China.
With these technologies, the BYD Dolphin Surf promises to be a benchmark model in the small electric city car category.
For individuals and businesses
Launch and pricing of the BYD Dolphin Surf in France
The arrival of the BYD Dolphin Surf in France marks an important step in the democratisation of affordable electric vehicles. With an aggressive price positioning and a strategic launch date, BYD is seeking to establish itself rapidly in the French market for electric city cars. This new offering could well redefine consumer expectations in terms of value for money in this fast-growing segment.
An attractive price tag of around €20,000
BYD aims to position the Dolphin Surf as a competitive option in the French market for electric city cars, with an estimated price of around €20,000. Although this price is considerably higher than that in China, where the model starts at €8,900, it is still attractive for the European market. Here are the key points to remember:
- The final price is expected to be between €20,000 and €24,000, depending on the source.
- This positioning puts the Dolphin Surf in direct competition with the Citroën ë-C3 (€23,300) and the Fiat Grande Panda (22 990 €).
- Dolphin Surf will be more expensive than some of its competitors, such as the Dacia Spring (€16,900) and the Leapmotor T03 (17 900 €).
- BYD claims to be aiming for "the best value for money" rather than the lowest price on the market.
Despite a higher price than in China, the Dolphin Surf could offer excellent value for money, with equipment and performance superior to that of its direct rivals. Marketing in France is scheduled for 21 May 2025, when the final price will be announced.
Launch date and first deliveries
The BYD Dolphin Surf, the European version of the Seagull electric city car, is expected on the French market from 21 May 2025. This date marks the official presentation of the model, followed by sales in the following weeks.
First deliveries in France are expected in the third quarter of 2025, offering European drivers an affordable option in the electric city car segment.
It's important to note that, to comply with European standards, the Dolphin Surf will benefit from specific modifications, notably to the chassis, bodywork and interior. These adjustments are designed to meet regulatory requirements and the expectations of European consumers.
Interested customers can now contact their BYD dealer for details of how to order and specific availability in their area.
BYD production and strategy in Europe
BYD, one of the world leaders in electric cars, is pursuing its expansion strategy in Europe with a clear objective: to strengthen its presence in the rapidly changing European market. The arrival of the BYD Dolphin Surf at a competitive price of €20,000 in France marks a key stage in the Chinese brand's ambition to become a major player on the Old Continent. This strategy is based on several crucial stages:
- Initial imports from China The first models of the BYD Dolphin Surf come directly from China, where production is already well established. This approach enables BYD to bring its vehicles to market quickly, while benefiting from the advantages of low-cost production.
- Plans for production in Europe by 2026 To strengthen its competitiveness and meet the growing demand for electric vehicles, BYD is planning to open a production plant in Europe by 2026. This project should not only create local jobs, but also offer greater flexibility in managing costs and delivery times.
In this way, BYD is pursuing an intelligent production strategy, combining imports and relocation, to conquer the European market sustainably and efficiently.
Initial import of the BYD Dolphin Surf from China
The BYD Dolphin Surf, an electric city car costing less than €20,000, will initially be imported from China to France. This model, designed specifically for the European market, has features tailored to the expectations of European consumers. Here are the key points concerning this import:
- Adaptation to European specifications Although the Dolphin Surf is based on the BYD Seagull, it has been modified to meet the standards and preferences of European users.
- Surcharges imposed by the European Union The Dolphin Surf: Since 5 July 2024, the EU has been applying customs duties on electric vehicles manufactured in China. This concerns the Dolphin Surf, with a tax of 17.4 % due to European trade policy.
- Potential impact on price The surcharge could lead to an increase in the final price of the car in France, affecting the model's competitiveness on the market.
- Local production strategy To get around these surcharges, BYD plans to open a factory in Hungary by the end of 2025. This will enable the Dolphin and Atto 3 models to be produced locally, reducing import costs and improving the brand's competitiveness.
This local production approach is in line with BYD's desire to strengthen its position in Europe while limiting the impact of customs duties on its electric vehicles.
BYD and its European production strategy: Launch of the Dolphin Surf project in 2026
Prior to the launch of local production in Europe, the BYD Dolphin Surf will initially be imported from China. This strategy enables the brand to respond quickly to the growing demand for affordable electric vehicles, while benefiting from its already well-established manufacturing capabilities in Asia.
Key points of the initial import of the BYD Dolphin Surf from China:
- Rapid supply : Pending the opening of European production lines, the Dolphin Surf will be imported directly from China, ensuring rapid availability on the European market.
- Optimised logistics : The vehicles will be shipped primarily from BYD's facilities in China, with European ports selected to maximise delivery efficiency.
- Pricing strategy : Although local production will reduce import costs from 2026, the first models sold in Europe will benefit from competitive pricing thanks to the economies of scale achieved by production in China.
- Adapting the product to European standards: Despite being a direct import, the Dolphin Surf will comply with European standards in terms of safety, emissions and connectivity, guaranteeing a high-quality user experience.
This approach will enable BYD to establish itself rapidly on the European market while paving the way for future local production, a double strategic advantage for the Chinese manufacturer.
Impact of the BYD Dolphin Surf on the French electric vehicle market
The arrival of the BYD Dolphin Surf, a €20,000 electric city car, is shaking up the French electric vehicle market. This affordable and competitive model is up against European benchmarks such as the Dacia Spring and the Renault Twingo E-Tech.
Positioning in relation to French and European models
The BYD Dolphin Surf arrives in France with an attractive proposition in the affordable electric city car segment, in direct competition with the most popular European and French models. With a price tag of less than €20,000, or around €23,000, it is positioned as a cost-effective alternative to models such as the Fiat Panda-e or the Citroën ë-C3, which currently dominate the small electric car market.
Here are just a few of the factors that strengthen its position against the competition:
- Attractive prices At under €20,000, the Dolphin Surf is one of the most affordable electric city cars on the market - a key factor in its appeal to a wide audience.
- Compact dimensions With a length of 4.29 metres and a wheelbase of 2.70 metres, the Dolphin Surf is ideally sized for city driving, while offering plenty of space inside for passengers.
- High-performance autonomy Its 150 kW (204 bhp) engine, coupled with a 60.48 kWh battery, gives it a range of 427 km according to the WLTP cycle, a better performance than many other models in this price range.
- Technology and equipment The Dolphin Surf: Although positioned as an affordable city car, the Dolphin Surf incorporates modern equipment that rivals the options of European models, reinforcing its appeal to drivers looking for a complete economical solution.
As a result, the BYD Dolphin Surf stands out as a strong competitor to other French and European models, offering a combination of competitive pricing, interesting performance and modern equipment, ideal for the fast-growing electric city car market.
Potential for democratising electric mobility
The introduction of the BYD Dolphin Surf on the French market represents a significant step forward in the democratisation of electric mobility. With a model costing less than €20,000, this electric city car is positioned as an affordable alternative to combustion-powered vehicles, promoting a more inclusive energy transition.
Key points:
- Greater financial accessibility With a price tag of less than €20,000, the Dolphin Surf becomes one of the most affordable electric city cars on the French market, making electric mobility more accessible to a wider range of consumers.
- Increased competition This initiative stimulates competition among manufacturers, encouraging them to offer electric models at competitive prices, which directly benefits consumers and accelerates the adoption of electric vehicles.
- Support forrecharging infrastructure The increase in the number of affordable electric vehicles, such as the Dolphin Surf, should encourage the parallel development of recharging infrastructures, meeting the growing needs of users.
- Positive environmental impact : By facilitating access to low-emission vehicles, the Dolphin Surf contributes to the reduction of CO₂ emissions, supporting national and European environmental objectives.
In this way, the BYD Dolphin Surf represents a key step towards more accessible electric mobility, reinforcing our collective efforts towards a more sustainable future.
BYD Dolphin Surf summary table
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Model name | BYD Dolphin Surf (European version of the BYD Seagull) |
| Estimated price | Around €20,000 (can vary between €20,000 and €24,000) |
| Launch date | 21 May 2025 (official presentation), first deliveries from the third quarter of 2025 |
| Motorisation | 55 kW motor |
| Battery and autonomy | 39 kWh battery, 300 km WLTP range |
| Dimensions | Length: 3.78 m, Width: 1.72 m |
| Habitability | Spacious for its size, suitable boot |
| Equipment |
|
| Competition in France | Citroën ë-C3 (€23,300), Fiat Grande Panda (€22,990), Dacia Spring (€16,900), Leapmotor T03 (€17,900) |
| BYD's objectives | Democratising access to electric mobility and strengthening our presence on the European market |
| Imports and production | Initially imported from China, European production planned for 2026 (plant in Hungary) |
| Impact on the market |
|
