SPOT.
Photo of a BYD Dolphin

BYD Dolphin

BYD's first Ocean-series model: 500,000 built in just 25 months.12

Researched November 2, 2026 from 32 sources

At a glance

0150300
94–201 hpPower
07.515
7–12.3 s0–100 km/h
0100200
150–160 km/hTop speed
0200400
180–310 N·mTorque
01,0002,000
1,285–1,658 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.121516

Engine
Permanent-magnet motor; Blade LFP packs, 30.72–60.48 kWh1
Layout
Front motor, front-wheel drive; e-Platform 3.01
Gearbox
Single-speed automatic1
Built at
Shenzhen and Changsha, China; BYD Rayong plant, Thailand1

The story

Built to make electric mobility more affordable, the Dolphin opened BYD's Ocean series and brought e-Platform 3.0 into production. Wolfgang Egger led its Ocean Aesthetics design.234

2021: Chengdu launch: four trims20212023: Europe, the UK and Mexico · 500,000 built in 25 months · Five Euro NCAP stars; Carbuyer double20232024: Honor Edition gains independent rear · Thailand builds BYD's 8-millionth NEV · China MY2025: 201 hp, 520 km CLTC20242025: China facelift adds God's Eye C · Europe update: 110 kW DC charging2025 BYD EA1 Concept (EA1): 2021EA1BYD Dolphin (EA1 / EM2E): 2021–presentEA1 / EM2E 20202021202220232024202520262027
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones111
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
2021BYD EA1 Concept (EA1)
2021–presentBYD Dolphin (EA1 / EM2E)
2021Chengdu launch: four trims
2023Europe, the UK and Mexico
2023500,000 built in 25 months
2023Five Euro NCAP stars; Carbuyer double
2024Honor Edition gains independent rear
2024Thailand builds BYD's 8-millionth NEV
2024China MY2025: 201 hp, 520 km CLTC
2025China facelift adds God's Eye C
2025Europe update: 110 kW DC charging
  1. 2021

    Chengdu launch: four trims

    August's Chengdu launch brought four trims and a more youthful design than the Dynasty series, at 93,800–121,800 yuan after subsidies.5

  2. 2023

    Europe, the UK and Mexico

    Europe's April reveal brought a 60.48 kWh version rated at 427 km WLTP; UK sales opened in summer, and Mexico launched on September 20.134

  3. 2023

    500,000 built in 25 months

    The 500,000th car left the line on September 22; China's black-and-red Commemorative Edition offered Pro and Plus trims.16

  4. 2023

    Five Euro NCAP stars; Carbuyer double

    Euro NCAP found marginal driver chest protection in the frontal-offset test; Carbuyer added 2024 Car of the Year and Best Small Electric Car.378

  5. 2024

    Honor Edition gains independent rear

    China's February Honor Edition switched to independent rear suspension and added a 32 kWh Vitality entry trim at 99,800 yuan.9

  6. 2024

    Thailand builds BYD's 8-millionth NEV

    Rayong's plant opened on July 4 with a Dolphin as BYD's eight-millionth new-energy vehicle; the factory was completed in 16 months.10

  7. 2024

    China MY2025: 201 hp, 520 km CLTC

    July's MY2025 update lifts China's top trim from 174 to 201 hp, with a 60.48 kWh pack and 520 km CLTC range; lower trims use 44.928 kWh.111

  8. 2025

    China facelift adds God's Eye C

    March 4 brought China's facelift: God's Eye C/DiPilot 100 assistance, a steering-mounted shifter and a longer 4,280 mm body.112

  9. 2025

    Europe update: 110 kW DC charging

    The European update brings 110 kW DC and 11 kW AC charging, revised chassis tuning and a heated steering wheel; Design gains ventilated front seats.1314

Every generation

  • BYD EA1 Concept
    EA12021
  • BYD Dolphin
    EA1 / EM2E2021–present

Power over the years

From 201 hp to 201 hp in 0 years.

0100200300 20222024 hp 2023 · 201 hp · UK Comfort and Design2024 · 94 hp · UK Active, 44.9 kWh2024 · 174 hp · UK Boost, 44.9 kWh2024 · 201 hp · China MY2025 top trim (July launch) 201 hp UK Comfort and Design
1311
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
2023201UK Comfort and Design
202494UK Active, 44.9 kWh
2024174UK Boost, 44.9 kWh
2024201China MY2025 top trim (July launch)

Versions

11 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • Standard

    Vitality / Free / Fashion (China)

    2021

    94 hp
  • Active (Europe)

    Standard

    Active (Europe)

    94 hp

  • Standard

    Boost (Europe)

    174 hp
  • Comfort / Design (Europe)

    Standard

    Comfort / Design (Europe)

    201 hp

  • Standard

    Dynamic / Essential / Dynamic Standard Range

    94 hp

  • Standard

    Premium / Premium Extended Range

    201 hp
  • GS / Diamond / Plus (Brazil)

    Standard

    GS / Diamond / Plus (Brazil)

  • Standard

    Honor / Glory Edition (China)

    2024

  • 2025 facelift (China)

    Standard

    2025 facelift (China)

    2025

  • Special

    Special Edition (Brazil)

    2026

  • Special

    Commemorative Edition Pro / Plus (China)

    2023

How to spot one

Look for

  • Rounded, almost one-box side profile.12
  • Early rear styling spells out BUILD YOUR DREAMS in large letters.1226
  • A bar-shaped rear light graphic.26
  • Sharp creases run down the body sides.26
  • Design trim uses a contrasting roof color.17

Year by year

  1. 2023 exports

    Export models gain a longer nose and thicker rear bumper, increasing overall length to 4.29 m.123

  2. 2024 China: Honor

    The basic body styling carries over; the visible updates are a new wheel design and rear privacy glazing.9

  3. 2025 Australia

    Pink, purple and blue disappear, leaving white and gray shades; Essential replaces Dynamic.19

Don’t confuse it with

  • Photo of a BYD Dolphin
    Dolphin
    Photo of a BYD Dolphin Mini / Dolphin Surf
    BYD Dolphin Mini / Dolphin Surf

    BYD Dolphin Mini / Dolphin Surf

    Both names identify the smaller Seagull; this Dolphin has the larger body.1

  • Photo of a BYD Dolphin
    Dolphin
    Photo of a BYD Dolphin G DM-i
    BYD Dolphin G DM-i

    BYD Dolphin G DM-i

    The G DM-i has different bodywork and a plug-in-hybrid drivetrain; the regular Dolphin is battery electric.1

Against its rivals

  • Fiat 600e La Prima

    Dolphin vs Fiat 600e La Prima

    Price as tested lower is better

    Dolphin31,695 £
    Fiat 600e La Prima36,995 £
    17
  • MG4

    Dolphin vs MG4

    Boot volume

    Dolphin345 L
    MG4289 L
    18
  • Renault 4

    Dolphin vs Renault 4

    Boot volume

    Dolphin345 L
    Renault 4420 L
    18
  • Cupra Born

    Dolphin vs Cupra Born

    Value retained

    Dolphin63.4 %
    Cupra Born42.4 %
    27

Prices

Price when new
$0$5K$10K$15K$20K 202220242026 2023 · $17,300 · China Commemorative base2024 · $13,865 · China Honor Vitality2024 · $15,670 · China Honor Free2024 · $16,650 · China Honor Fashion2024 · $18,030 · China Honor Knight2025 · $13,735 · China facelift base2025 · $17,315 · China facelift top trim
6912
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
2023Price when new$17,300China Commemorative base
2024Price when new$13,865China Honor Vitality
2024Price when new$15,670China Honor Free
2024Price when new$16,650China Honor Fashion
2024Price when new$18,030China Honor Knight
2025Price when new$13,735China facelift base
2025Price when new$17,315China facelift top trim

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 11 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 14 stories from its legend
    • “500,000 Dolphins in 25 months”
    • “BYD's 8-millionth NEV was a Dolphin”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 2 generations

  • Market

    • 6 things to check before buying one
    • Where prices are heading, and why
Read the full file in SPOT

SPOT is free on iPhone. Full car files come with SPOT Plus.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 32 sources
  1. BYD Dolphin - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  2. BYD_DOLPHIN_Agile_and_Versatile byd.com
  3. BYD DOLPHIN - BYD UK Media Site bydukmedia.com
  4. BYD DOLPHIN Launched in Mexico, Featuring Ocean-Inspired Design byd.com
  5. 2021成都车展：比亚迪海豚正式宣布上市:2021成都车展：比亚迪海豚上市-爱卡汽车 info.xcar.com.cn
  6. BYD Dolphin Commemorative Edition electric hatchback launched, 420 km range, starts at 17,300 USD carnewschina.com
  7. Euro NCAP | BYD DOLPHIN euroncap.com
  8. BYD Dolphin crowned 2024 Carbuyer Car of the Year | Carbuyer carbuyer.co.uk
  9. New BYD Dolphin enters China with a starting price of 13,865 USD carnewschina.com
  10. BYD Thailand Factory Inauguration and Roll-off of Its 8 Millionth New Energy Vehicle byd.com
  11. BYD launches 2025 Dolphin with same prices and longer range - CnEVPost cnevpost.com
  12. New BYD Dolphin hatchback launched in China for 13,375 USD carnewschina.com
  13. BYD DOLPHIN lanceres nu i en opdateret version med mere udstyr – til en lavere pris | BYD Danmark mynewsdesk.com
  14. BYD DOLPHIN 60.4 kWh (MY25) (2025-2026) price and specifications - EV Database ev-database.org
  15. 2023 BYD Dolphin launched in Malaysia - up to 490 km EV range, 204 PS; AEB, ACC standard; from RM99,900 - paultan.org paultan.org
  16. 比亚迪海豚实车参展 ChinaJoy：国风漫画涂装，售价 11-13 万之间 - IT之家 ithome.com
  17. BYD Dolphin vs Fiat 600e: which brand makes the best budget EV? | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  18. BYD Dolphin Review 2026 | Performance & Pricing | Carwow carwow.co.uk
  19. 2025 BYD Dolphin price and specs: Colourful EV loses all its colours | CarExpert carexpert.com.au
  20. BYD Dolphin Sport: Hotter electric hatch cancelled | CarExpert carexpert.com.au
  21. Vale a pena comprar um BYD Dolphin usado? - Canaltech canaltech.com.br
  22. BYD DOLPHIN PLUS and DOLPHIN DIAMOND Make Their Debut in Brazil byd.com
  23. BYD's inflatable Dolphin: Why Euro version is larger than the Chinese? carnewschina.com
  24. BYD realiza evento que reúne proprietários do BYD Dolphin - Diário do Comércio diariodocomercio.com.br
  25. BYD amplia a oferta do Dolphin com versão intermediária – AutoIndústria autoindustria.com.br
  26. BYD Dolphin Long Term Review | Electrifying.com electrifying.com
  27. Value retention improving for some EVs – Wheels Within Wales wheelswithinwales.uk
  28. Wolfgang Egger - BYD media.byd.com
  29. 创意星球 - 比亚迪海豚&武汉eStarPro潮改共创计划 5iidea.com
  30. 6° Valtellina EcoGreen & ACI Green Day Si chiude un’edizione da record tra innovazione, sostenibilità, formazione e inclusione | Altarezianews altarezianews.it
  31. Buying a Used BYD Dolphin (2023 on): 44.9 vs 60.4 kWh & What to Pay | EVcarsguide evcarsguide.co.uk
  32. BYD Atto 3, Dolphin recalled due to fire risk, Australia not impacted | CarExpert carexpert.com.au
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • byd.com
  • bydukmedia.com
  • info.xcar.com.cn
  • carnewschina.com
  • euroncap.com
  • carbuyer.co.uk
  • cnevpost.com
  • mynewsdesk.com
  • ev-database.org
  • paultan.org
  • ithome.com
  • autoexpress.co.uk
  • carwow.co.uk

Photo credits

Other car files