The Dolphin is a small electric car that sits alongside the BYD Atto 3 SUV and the BYD Seal electric executive car in the Chinese car maker’s line-up.
The car industry is trying hard to offer affordable electric motoring, in terms of both purchase price and running costs. The business sector has already made inroads and sales are increasing significantly for fleet due to some great incentives, however retail for the common man or woman, is still slow. It would seem that individual drivers and either not ready to take the giant leap into electrified motoring, or the costs are just preventing them from doing so. We as consumers are flooded with cut priced goods from China, and cars are no exception.
The Dolphin is a smart-looking little car and will rival the MG4 which is one of the most successful at the moment. It has a plush interior and being Chinese, the tech is of the highest quality. It is comfortable inside, bright and airy and quite spacious for a car of this size.
The BYD Dolphin with a 150kW motor and a 60.5kWh usable capacity battery. An entry-level 70kW version – called Active – and a 130kW mid-spec Boost version are set to join the range later. The Active and Boost each get a 44.9kWh battery and official ranges of 211 miles and 195 miles respectively. The bigger 60.5kWh battery version – called either Comfort or Design depending on the trim you choose – officially extends the range to 265 miles. However, in real use we didn’t quite make 200 miles. It is nippy though, around 0-60mph in 6.8 seconds.
On the inside the Dolphin, comes with electrically adjustable seats and an adjustable steering wheel and we love the large rotating touchscreen, although we do disagree what is best, portrait or landscape… each to their own! Safety is high on the agenda and all Dolphins come with rear parking sensors, and the two top trim levels also add front sensors.
There’s plenty of room in the front, with plenty of head and leg room. There’s also loads of storage space in the front, with a decent-sized glovebox, two cupholders, a small space for your phone and more storage under the central armrest.
In the rear, there is room for two adults or maybe three kids and talking of kids there is enough boot space for all the junk they bring with them!
The smaller battery option can charge up to 65kW, while Comfort and Design versions have a faster maximum charging rate of 88kWh. Both have the potential to top up from 10-80% charge in around 40 minutes, which is a little slower than some of its competitors, but let’s face it if you are going to buy an electric car, you will invest in a home charger unless you live in a 5th floor apartment!
This is attractive….the Dolphin comes with a six-year/90,000-mile basic warranty, an eight-year/124,000-mile warranty on the battery, and an eight-year/90,000-mile warranty on the drive motor and drive controller.
Prices start for just under £29,000
Ally says – The BYD Dolphin comes with plenty of kit as standard, and then there is that generous warranty.
Lorraine says – It is one of the most affordable electric cars to buy outright, it is smart and quirky too but still practical.
