BYD Dolphin Surf

Country of production

The BYD Dolphin Surf for the European market is produced in China and imported into Europe. BYD has also indicated that the Dolphin Surf will be the first model to enter European production at the Szeged (Hungary) plant, with start expected by the end of 2025 (timing subject to industrial planning).

Market launch date

• 21 May 2025: European presentation/launch of the model.

• From mid-2025: order opening and market rollout across EU countries (with deliveries ramping up depending on country and dealer network).

The Dolphin Surf is a sub-4-meter electric compact designed to maximize value and standard equipment in the urban/light extra-urban segment. The concept is built around the Blade (LFP) battery and a simple range structure (three versions), with a clear goal: deliver an EV that is “ready to go” with modern ADAS and infotainment, without a complex options list. In the city it works well thanks to size, ease of driving, and typical EV responsiveness; outside the city it remains credible thanks to “real-car” top speed and fast charging, while still being optimized primarily for daily use rather than long motorway cruising.

Powertrain and performance

Dimensions and capacity

Main trims and prices

(Indicative pricing: it may vary with promotions, incentives, on-the-road fees, and dealer policy.)

Maintenance and early service (indicative costs)
(Estimates for a compact EV; significant variability by area and network.)

Pros

• Entry price and a simple line-up (Active/Boost/Comfort).

• LFP (Blade) battery: a setup oriented toward robustness and daily usage.

• DC charging up to 85 kW (Boost/Comfort) and 11 kW AC: good usability for the segment.

• Cabin space and trunk 308/1,037 L: tangible figures for a sub-4-meter compact.

• V2L 3.3 kW (Boost/Comfort) useful for powering external devices.

Cons

• Active range is more suitable for urban/light extra-urban use than for frequent long trips.

• Performance and chassis tuning prioritize comfort and ease of use, not sporty driving.

• Fast-charging results depend heavily on temperature, charger capability, and state of charge: real-world times can vary.

• Limited customization: the “few packs/options” logic supports transparency, less so bespoke configurations.

• Where do my personal data go?

  For the European market, BYD states that driving data and customers’ personal data (related to connected services) are processed and stored in the European cloud (e.g., servers located in France) and managed by BYD Europe in compliance with GDPR. However, in more general terms, the group’s global documentation indicates that data may also be processed in other countries where permitted by law, without specifying an absolute prohibition on transfers outside Europe.

In summary

The BYD Dolphin Surf is a compact EV engineered to deliver value: strong standard equipment, a clear range structure, and potentially contained running costs. The Boost is often the best balance (larger battery and better range), while the Comfort adds the 115 kW motor for a more responsive feel beyond the city. The Active remains the most rational choice for primarily urban driving and the lowest upfront price.

Verdict — BYD Dolphin Surf (Model year 2025)

Value-for-money electric city car · Trims: Active / Boost / Comfort · Front-wheel drive · Motors: 65 kW (88 hp) or 115 kW (156 hp) · Batteries 30 kWh or 43.2 kWh (LFP “Blade”) · Range up to 322 km WLTP (depending on version) · 0–100 km/h from ~11.1 s (base) to ~9.1 s (Comfort) · Top speed 150 km/h · AC charging up to 11 kW · DC charging up to 85 kW (claimed 10–80% down to ~22 min on eligible versions) · Price “from” €19,490 · Market launch: European debut and start of commercialisation May 2025 (orderable from May 2025)

The BYD Dolphin Surf is designed as a concrete answer to the “affordable EV” question in an urban format: city-car dimensions, equipment that is often richer than the segment average, and a straightforward technical recipe (FWD, LFP batteries, three-phase AC charging). In 2025, its strength is balance: a competitive entry price, WLTP range that makes sense for the bracket, and DC fast charging that—while not on the level of higher-segment BEVs—is sufficient to make occasional trips plausible if planned.

On the road it prioritizes ease and predictability: light steering, instant city response, and a set-up oriented more to comfort than sportiness. The key is choosing the right version and battery: the 30 kWh is “pure city,” while the 43.2 kWh is the one that makes the car more flexible in real-world use, especially if you also drive outside the city.

Key technical points:

• Motor lineup and performance:

  • Active: 65 kW (88 hp) motor with 30 kWh battery, 0–100 km/h ~11.1 s.

  • Boost: 65 kW (88 hp) motor with 43.2 kWh battery (highest WLTP range in the lineup).

  • Comfort: 115 kW (156 hp) motor with 43.2 kWh battery, 0–100 km/h ~9.1 s.

  • Top speed 150 km/h.

• Batteries and range: two battery sizes, 30 kWh and 43.2 kWh (LFP chemistry); indicative WLTP range ~220–322 km depending on trim/version.

• Charging:

  • AC up to 11 kW (three-phase).

  • DC up to 85 kW (on some versions), with a claimed 10–80% time down to ~22 min in ideal conditions; on other versions, peak DC power may be lower (order of magnitude ~65 kW).

• Dimensions and practicality (order of magnitude): length about 3.99 m, wheelbase about 2.50 m; boot roughly ~308 L (measurement standards vary by source).

• Meaningful equipment (trim-dependent): infotainment with a central screen (often rotating), strong baseline ADAS for the price point, and useful EV features for urban use (e.g., V2L on some configurations/markets).

Who it is for

Drivers who want a compact EV for city and inner-suburban use with a good level of technology and a low entry price. It is particularly suitable if you have regular charging access (home/work) and want a simple-to-use car with predictable energy costs.

Who should consider alternatives

If you often drive at sustained motorway speeds, or you need more rear space and family-grade boot capacity, a larger-segment electric hatch/SUV—or a hybrid alternative—may be more coherent. Also, if you demand very high charging performance and minimal stops, consider BEVs with more aggressive charging architectures.

Recommended configuration

• Boost (43.2 kWh) as the best-balanced choice: higher range and often more rational total cost than the top version, while keeping the “right” battery for mixed use.

• Comfort (43.2 kWh, 156 hp) if you want a livelier feel and typically richer equipment, accepting a higher price.

• Active (30 kWh) only if your use is predominantly urban and you can charge daily: it is the cheapest option, but also the one that most limits flexibility outside the city.