Australia’s electric vehicle market is rapidly becoming more affordable, as Chinese carmaker BYD has reduced the cost of its entry-level electric vehicle, the BYD Dolphin, below the A$30,000 price tag.
The new BYD Dolphin Essential is the latest version of the BYD Dolphin, which was, for a time, the cheapest electric vehicle you could buy in Australia before its rivals dropped similar prices.
To get an even lower price than the Dynamic (the Dolphin variant that was previously BYD’s cheapest option), the company has removed some of the features. The panoramic glass roof, power-folding mirrors, wireless phone charger, heated front seats, privacy glass and phone key functionality have been removed. However, the 340km WLTP range remains, along with 60kW DC charging capability.
Similarly, BYD has also introduced an Essential variant of its popular Atto 3 electric SUV, which is now the cheapest option in its category. It’s also been slimmed down in features to help it reach a price of AU$39,990.
BYD’s new models are just the latest developments in an ongoing (and hugely competitive) EV price war. In late 2024, MG lowered the price of its entry-level model, the MG4 Excite 51, to A$30,990 as a limited-time offer, a deal that has since ended. Nissan, Cupra, GWM and other electric car makers have also adjusted prices over the past year in a bid to attract higher sales.
Is it finally time to go electric?
Note that the Dolphin’s AU$30,000 price is before on-road costs, so you’ll pay over the AU$30,000 point to register the car on-road. Still, at this price it now competes directly with petrol alternatives such as the Toyota Corolla (from AU$29,270) and other reasonably priced cars such as the Hyundai i30 (from AU$32,935) and the Kia Cerato (AU$27,060). That positions the BYD Dolphin as a genuine and valuable rival to some of Australia’s most popular small cars. Combined with government assistance to fund electric vehicle loans, if you’ve been considering going electric but have balked at the price, it’s certainly worth considering as your next car.
As someone who spent a bit of time with the original BYD Dolphin, it’s a perfectly good car for the price and includes a great Android-based operating system. Of the features BYD has cut, unfortunately it seems they’ve left behind my favorite trick, the 360 camera that lets you view the car through the center console from all sides as if you were looking down on it, perfect for making tight parking spots.
It’s also worth clearly noting that it’s quite small and, if you’re thinking of taking it on a road trip, know that it has a pretty slow DC public charging speed, meaning stopping at public charging stops will be longer than, For example, the more expensive MG4 Excite 64.
If you’re interested in weighing up similar options, the MG4 is also worth investigating, as is the GWM Ora if you want a more interesting style.
The BYD Dolphin Essential will go on sale on January 13, along with the BYD Atto 3 Essential.
