BYD’s cheapest EV is launching in Europe soon with a new name and more upgrades

The Seagull is BYD’s cheapest EV, starting at under $10,000 in China. Later this year, it will launch in Europe as the Dolphin Surf with added safety tech and more. BYD’s executive vice president, Stella Li, said it will be “the best value” when it arrives.

BYD’s cheapest EV will arrive in Europe this year

After launching the Seagull in 2023, the small electric hatch quickly became one of China’s best-selling EVs with a low price, modern tech, and BYD’s advanced batteries.

In November, it topped Tesla’s Model Y as the top-selling vehicle in China, EV or gas-powered. Later this year, the Seagull will arrive in Europe as the BYD Dolphin Surf with more advanced safety tech and other features.

Although it won’t start at under $10,000 (69,800 yuan), as in China, the Dolphin Surf will still be among the most affordable electric cars in the UK and Europe. Li said (via Autocar) that the Seagull (Dolphin Surf) may “not be the cheapest,” but it will be “the best value.”

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It’s expected to start at under £20,000 ($26,000), which would undercut rival EVs like the Citroen e-C3 (£21,990). However, it’s not expected to beat others like the Dacia Spring, starting at £14,995 ($19,500).

The Seagull is available in three trims in China: Active, Free, and Flying, starting at 69,800 yuan ($9,700). Two BYD battery packs, 30.08 kWh and 38.88 kWh, provide 305 km (190 miles) and 405 km (252 miles) CLTC range, respectively.

The interior is relatively simple, with a 10.1″ rotating center infotainment and 5″ driver display screens. But with its DiLink intelligent network connection, the smart cockpit features an Android-based system with navigation support, video and other media capabilities, and more.

BYD’s low-cost EV has earned the nickname “Mini Lamborghini” in China because former Lamborghini designer Wolfgang Egger led the Seagull’s design.

At just 3,780 mm long, 1,715 mm wide, and 1,540 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2,500 mm, BYD’s Seagull is smaller than the Volkswagen ID.3 (4,264 mm long, 1,809 mm wide, 1,568 mm tall).

Earlier this year, BYD launched 21 of its top-selling vehicles, including the Seagull, with its “Gods Eye” smart driving system, at no extra charge.

BYD has already launched the Seagull EV in several other overseas markets, calling it the Dolphin Mini. It’s been on sale in Brazil, Mexico, Columbia, Chile, and the Philippines since last year.

Will BYD’s cheapest EV win over buyers in Europe like it has in other markets? First, it will launch the highly anticipated Sealion 7 midsize electric SUV. According to S&P Global Mobility, BYD’s sales are expected to double from 83,000 last year to 186,000 in 2025. By 2029, that number could reach just under 400,000. The report claims that “the Seagull’s pricing strategy ensures competitiveness in the EU even with tariffs.”