The BYD (EV) Thread

New BYD Dolphin Surf revealed: budget EV gets major upgrades

Known as the Seagull in China, BYD has revealed the all-new, second-generation Dolphin Surf. Here’s what we know…

BYD has unveiled the all-new Dolphin Surf, or Seagull as it is known in its home market. The second-generation version of the Chinese automaker’s entry-level electric vehicle (EV) boasts a selection of upgrades, including increased exterior dimensions and a fresh powertrain configuration.

As reported by Chinese publication Autohome, Chinese government certification filings reveal the new Dolphin Surf measures 4 205 mm in length and 1 810 mm in width, making it 280 mm longer and 90 mm wider than the current generation. The box-fresh Dolphin Surf stands 1 570 mm tall (down 20 mm over the outgoing iteration). The wheelbase has been stretched by 150 mm, to 2 650 mm – the latter matching that of the Geely E2, though 50 mm shorter than the Chery Q.

Noteworthy, the new Dolphin Surf adopts a rear-wheel drivetrain. As a reminder, the current car, which we sampled in June 2026, features a single, front-mounted electric motor driving the front wheels. The second iteration’s single, rear-mounted electric motor produces 95 kW – up 40 kW over the first Dolphin Surf, and 10 and 5 kW more than the Geely E2 and Chery Q, respectively. The electric motor is fed by the choice of either a 30 or 39.2 kWh battery pack – the former and latter serving up a claimed 259 and 340 km operating range, respectively.


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2026 Chery Q vs BYD Dolphin Surf vs Geely E2

With the Q, Chery is looking to shake up the local budget EV segment. We take a closer look at how the Q stacks up against a duo of value-oriented EV rivals, the Geely E2 and BYD Dolphin Surf.

Chery Q vs Geely E2 vs BYD Dolphin Surf: pricing


The most affordable of the trio, the Geely E2 – in Aspire spec – is priced from R339 900, with pricing for the two-strong range topping out at R389 900 for the flagship, Apex model. Equipped with the smaller-capacity battery, the BYD Dolphin Surf is priced from R341 900. The range-topping Dolphin Surf is priced from R395 900. Serving as the entry point to Chery Q ownership, the Comfort model is priced from R349 900, while the Elite derivative will set you back R389 900.

Chery Q vs Geely E2 vs BYD Dolphin Surf: warranty and service plans

The Q features the most comprehensive vehicle and battery warranties here. The Q is sold with Chery’s five-year/150 000 km vehicle warranty and a battery warranty spanning 10 years or 200 000 km. The E2 package includes a four-year/150 000 km vehicle warranty and an eight-year/200 000 km battery warranty. While the BYD’s battery warranty matches the Geely’s, it ships with a three-year/100 000 km vehicle warranty. The Q and E2 are sold with five-year/100 000 km service plans, while the Dolphin Surf features a three-year/60 000 km service plan.


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I can definitely see a second hand E2 or Surf in my future when the teenager is at the licensing stage in 6-7 years.
 

Would You Buy a $19,990 Chinese EV? - Auto Expert John Cadogan​

Would you buy a brand-new Chinese EV for less than $20,000? That’s the question at the centre of this episode.

I sat down for a full-length podcast with Brett Davis from Driving Enthusiast Australia to talk about the rapidly changing Australian new-car market — and, in particular, BYD’s $19,990 drive-away Atto 1.

At a time when so many new cars seem to blur into the same basic formula, the Atto 1 stands out for one very simple reason: price.

A genuinely new EV for under $20,000 is a very different proposition from the increasingly expensive SUVs, dual-cab utes and premium-priced EVs dominating the market.

So what does it mean for buyers? Is this the point where EVs become genuinely accessible to mainstream Australians? Would you trust a Chinese EV at this price? And what does a car like this do to the value equation for conventional petrol-powered small cars?

Brett and I unpack the Atto 1, the broader Chinese-car invasion, the changing competitive landscape, and what all of this could mean for Australian car buyers over the next few years.

 
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