Australia’s Cheapest Electric Car Battleground Set to Intensify
The Australian electric vehicle market is on the cusp of a significant shift with BYD’s introduction of the Dolphin Surf EV, potentially one of the country’s cheapest new cars. The Dolphin Surf, known as the Seagull in China, has been launched in the UK as one of the most affordable new vehicles available.
Pricing and Positioning
In the UK, the BYD Dolphin Surf is priced from £18,650 ($AU38,950), undercutting the standard Dolphin hatch, which costs £26,195 ($AU54,705). If the same pricing strategy is applied in Australia, where the Dolphin hatch starts at $29,990 plus on-road costs, the Dolphin Surf could enter the market around $22,400. This would make it the third-cheapest new car in Australia, ahead of the Hyundai Venue manual ($22,750 plus on-road costs).
Growing Competition
The Dolphin Surf won’t be alone in the budget electric vehicle segment. The Dacia Spring EV and Leapmotor T03 are already undercutting the Dolphin Surf in the UK market, priced from £14,995 ($AU31,320) and £15,995 ($AU33,410) respectively. While the Leapmotor T03 isn’t confirmed for Australia, the brand is expanding its presence with the C10 medium SUV already available from $43,888 plus on-road costs.
Future Plans
BYD has confirmed plans to expand its model range in Australia, with the Atto 2 already slated for the small SUV segment starting around $35,000. The company aims to cover every segment, with global offerings in each category. The Dolphin Surf, with its competitive pricing and 220km WLTP-rated driving range from a 30kWh battery, is poised to make a significant impact in the Australian electric vehicle market.
Specifications
The Dolphin Surf features a 65kW front-mounted motor and is available in longer-range (43.2kWh battery, 310km WLTP range) and more powerful (115kW) versions overseas. In Australia, the Dolphin Essential hatch offers a 340km WLTP range from a 44.9kWh battery with a 70kW motor.
As the electric vehicle market continues to evolve, consumers can expect increased competition and potentially lower prices. The battle for Australia’s cheapest electric car is set to intensify, benefiting buyers with more affordable options.
