BYD Dolphin 45kWh battery arrives with cheaper price

• New more affordable Active and Boost models
• Smaller 45kWh batteries replace the 60kWh from launch models
• BYD Dolphin now starts from £26,195 and available now

The BYD Dolphin – our reigning Carbuyer Car of the Year – is set to get two new trims called Active and Boost, cutting its start price by £4,000. It comes just as a slew of affordable EVs is hitting the market to entice buyers looking for their first electric car, with notable rivals including the Citroen e-C3, the Vauxhall Corsa Electric, which was recently launched with a bargain Yes! special edition, and the Vauxhall Frontera, which will launch with both hybrid and electric versions costing from £23,495.

How has BYD made the Dolphin cheaper?

The BYD Dolphin originally launched in Comfort and Design trims with a 60kWh battery, and we’ve known the Active and Boost models were in the pipeline for some time – these more affordable versions swap that battery for a smaller 45kWh Lithium Ion Phosphate (LFP) pack that’s good for up to 211 miles in the Active or 193 miles for the Boost. That is less than the 265-mile figure of the Comfort and Design versions, but we still think it should be enough for most urban drivers.

The Active model gets AC home charging capability of up to 7kW, while the Boost model gets AC charging speeds of up to 11kW, though both can be topped up at a DC public charger at speeds of 65kW – that means the battery can be charged from 30 to 80% in 28 minutes. Both models get a heat pump as standard, which should help preserve range in the colder months by keeping the battery at optimal operating temperatures and heating the cabin more efficiently.

So what’s the difference between the Active and Boost trims?

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The main difference between the new entry-level trims is the motor. While Active models get a 94bhp motor driving the front wheels, the Boost models – as the name implies – get a more potent 174bhp.

You might have expected cutbacks in other areas, but BYD will still offer its comprehensive suite of safety and driver assistance systems as standard, so all cars get forward collision warning, autonomous emergency braking, rear collision warning, rear cross traffic alert, lane departure prevention and lane keeping assist.

How much are the BYD Dolphin Active and Boost models and when can I buy one?

The BYD Active costs just £26,195, while the Boost model costs £27,165. Both models are available to buy now.

Read our review of the BYD Dolphin to find out why we chose it as our Car of the Year 2024...