The BYD (EV) Thread

BYD Dolphin Surf Arrives as SA’s Most Affordable EV

BYD has officially announced pricing for the Dolphin Surf, positioning it as the most affordable EV in South Africa. See pricing below…

BYD has officially announced the price of the latest EV in their local model lineup, and it undercuts the previously most affordable EV in SA, the Dayun S5, by almost R60 000. The two-strong Dolphin Surf (also known at Atto 1 in other markets) range comprises the Comfort and Dynamic derivatives, starting at R339 900 and R389 900, respectively.

The base Comfort variant is equipped with a 30 kWh Blade Battery, delivering a claimed WLTP combined range of 232 km and a maximum DC charging capacity of 30 kW. The range-topping Dynamic variant features a larger 38.8 kWh Blade Battery, providing a claimed WLTP range of up to 295 km and a maximum DC charging capacity of 40 kW.

Both models make use of a single electric motor that powers the front wheels and produces 55 kW. Standard equipment across the range includes a 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen, replete with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and 16-inch steel wheels. The Dynamic adds electrically adjustable seats and a 15 kW wireless smartphone charging pad.

2025 BYD Dolphin Surf Price in SA

The most affordable EV in South Africa, the two-strong BYD Dolphin Surf lineup is priced from R339 900 and R389 900 for the Comfort and Dynamic derivatives, respectively.

BYD Dolphin Surf Comfort – R339 900
BYD Dolphin Surf Dynamic – R389 900

 
BYD Dolphin Surf (2025) Price & Specs

BYD (Build Your Dreams) has introduced South Africa’s most affordable new battery-electric vehicle – the Dolphin Surf. Here’s what the electric city car offers and costs.

When Ciro De Siena travelled to Zhengzhou, China, in July, he got a taste of the BYD Dolphin Surf, also known as the BYD Atto 1 and Dolphin Mini (it differs from market to market), and at the time, he correctly predicted that it would be SA’s cheapest EV sold by a volume car manufacturer by some margin.

The local distributor of BYD had already lowered the entry price to South Africa’s electric car segment with the Dolphin electric small crossover – watch Ciro De Siena’s video review of the BYD Dolphin. But whereas pricing for the Dolphin begins at R539 900 (in September 2025, for the Dynamic Standard Range), the entry price for the former’s city-car sibling, the Dolphin Surf, starts well under R400 000.

What does the BYD Dolphin Surf cost in South Africa?

BYD Dolphin Surf Comfort R339 900
BYD Dolphin Surf Dynamic R389 900

Prices (correct in September 2025) include a 3-year/100 000 km vehicle warranty (with an additional 5 years and 100 000 km for the battery pack) as well as a 3-year/60 000 km service plan.

At the launch event of the Dolphin Surf, held in Cape Town, BYD also announced an “Early Adopter Package”, which the brand said included a “V2L socket, portable charger, point-to-point cable, a 7kW home-charger wall box, a R999-a-month insurance package (Absa), and a R10 000 cash incentive.”

 
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