The UK’s EV market is about to get a serious shake-up, and it’s coming from China’s biggest EV brand, BYD. The company’s ultra-affordable Seagull, which has already made waves in China, is heading to European shores this year, but with a new name and a few tweaks.
Meet the BYD Dolphin Mini (or something along those lines). It’s compact, cheap, and could be one of the most important affordable EVs of the year.
A Sub-£20k EV in 2025?
With EV prices climbing, finding anything under £20,000 has been next to impossible. BYD, however, is aiming to change that. The Dolphin Mini is expected to land at around £17,000, making it one of the cheapest new electric cars available in the UK.
That puts it in direct competition with budget-friendly rivals like the Citroën ë-C3, Dacia Spring, and Fiat Panda EV. But with BYD’s cutting-edge battery tech, decent range, and generous equipment levels, it could give them some serious problems.
Range, Power, and Charging
Despite its small footprint, the Dolphin Mini isn’t just a no-frills city runabout. It’s built on BYD’s latest e-Platform 3.0, which means it gets the brand’s in-house Blade Battery – a lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) unit known for durability, safety, and efficiency.
Chinese models come with two battery options:
- 30kWh, giving a range of around 190 miles (on the CLTC cycle)
- 38kWh, pushing the range closer to 250 miles
For the UK, expect WLTP figures to be slightly lower, but still competitive. The Dolphin Mini’s efficiency should make it ideal for urban commutes with enough range for occasional longer trips.
Power-wise, it gets a single front-mounted motor with either 74bhp or 100bhp, depending on the version. It won’t be setting any lap records, but for city driving, that’s more than enough to get around with ease.
A Small Car That Feels Big Inside
BYD has gone bold with the styling. The Dolphin Mini borrows design cues from its bigger sibling, the Dolphin, but with a shorter wheelbase and sportier stance. Expect funky LED lights, a playful exterior design, and a cabin that feels more premium than its price tag suggests.
Inside, space should be surprisingly good for a car this size. A central rotating touchscreen, digital dials, and a minimalist dashboard give it a modern, high-tech feel. Unlike some budget EVs, it won’t feel like a cost-cutting exercise.
When Can You Get One?
BYD hasn’t confirmed the UK launch date, but European markets are getting it by the end of 2025. Given the company’s aggressive expansion plans, a UK release before 2026 seems highly likely.
The real question is whether UK buyers will embrace it. Chinese cars still have a way to go in terms of mainstream acceptance, but BYD is already proving it can compete. With the Dolphin, Seal, and Atto 3 gaining traction, the Dolphin Mini could be the model that finally makes small, affordable EVs a reality again.
If you’re tired of overpriced electric hatchbacks, this might be the small EV worth waiting for.
