2023 BYD Dolphin electric car launching in Australia

The company behind one of the most popular zero-emissions vehicles in the country is preparing to launch an even cheaper version later this month. Here’s what we know so far.

BYD Dolphin spied in Sydney. Photo: David McCowen.

Breakout electric car brand BYD – short for Build Your Dreams – is set to launch what could be Australia’s cheapest electric car later this month.

Dubbed the BYD Dolphin, the small hatchback will sit below the current Atto 3 hatch in the Chinese brand’s local line-up.

BYD Dolphin (overseas model shown) is set to launch in Australia later this month.

Prices aren’t confirmed but Luke Todd, the boss of BYD’s importer, said on LinkedIn: “A big splash drops June 22nd. Australia’s most affordable, high quality electric vehicle of all time will be on sale.”

This means the Dolphin could wear a price tag in the low-$40,000 range to undercut rivals such as the coming MG4, which is priced at $44,990 (before on-road costs) and the GWM Ora priced from about $45,000 drive-away.

In states such as NSW and Queensland with generous electric car incentives customers should drive away with one for less than the prices listed on the manufacturer’s website.

The federal government is also waiving Fringe Benefits Tax on electric cars, which will save buyers thousands more when they salary sacrifice their new car purchase.

The confirmation of the Dolphin’s arrival follows several sightings of test cars around Australia.

BYD Dolphin spied in Sydney. Photo: David McCowen.

The Atto 3 has been a red hot success since it went on sale in 2022. So far this year it has sold almost 5000 units through the first five months of this year, which makes it one of the most popular EVs in the country.

On paper the Dolphin has the numbers to push past its bigger sibling on the sales chart in the future.

It is equipped with a similar electric motor and battery set-up to the Atto 3.

Overseas it is fitted with a 60kWh battery that provides a driving range of 427km, which is a slight improvement on the Atto 3’s range. A single electric motor is mounted delivering 150kW and 290Nm to the front wheels, which is 20Nm less than its bigger stablemate.

The Dolphin’s cabin is more subdued than the Atto 3’s. (overseas model shown)

This combination is good enough to deliver a 0-100km/h sprint time of 7.0 seconds according to BYD.

Its cute styling follows in the footsteps of the Atto 3 with plenty of edgy body creases, flashy alloy wheels, continuous LED lighting front and back and giant “Build Your Dreams” badging on the rear.

Inside the Dolphin looks more paired back compared to the flamboyant styling of the Atto 3. Gone are the rippled dash and door trim surfaces and door handles that rotate back like a boat throttle and in its place are more conventional components.

A giant panoramic sunroof adds some pop to the interior. (overseas model shown)

A big central touchscreen can rotate between portrait and landscape views and there is a small digital display for the driver’s instruments attached to the steering wheel. A giant panoramic sunroof will give the cabin a light and airy feel.