Photo: BYD
When we told you about the BYD Dolphin, we still missed its range data. After all, the first vehicle to present the e-platform 3.0 and an affordable 800V system is supposed to recover 150 km of range in just 5 minutes with adequate fast chargers. The MIIT’s (Ministry of Industry and Information Technology) list of declarations allowed us to have these missing pieces, and ChinaDriven was kind enough to share them with the rest of the world – including how much the new EV should cost.
The BYD Dolphin reminds us very much of the early Honda Fit (or Jazz, depending on where you live). That already suggested it would be a relatively affordable vehicle, but we did not expect it to cost less than RMB100,000 – the equivalent of $15,500 at the current exchange rate.
According to the MIIT filings, the Dolphin will have two derivatives. The SR (Standard Range) will be able to run 301 km under the NEDC cycle testing. It presents a 30.72 kWh battery pack and weighs only 1,285 kg (2,832.9 lbs). For a car that is 4.07 (13.3 ft) meters long – but has a wheelbase of 2.70 m (8.85 ft) – that is quite an achievement for an electric vehicle. The Honda Jazz is 4.04 m (13.2 ft) long, weighs 1,253 kg (2,762.4 lbs), and is a combustion-engined vehicle.
For people willing to travel a little further, BYD also developed the LR (Long Range) version with a 44.93 kWh battery pack. With the extra LFP cells in its Blade Battery pack, it could run up to 405 km – also according to the NEDC cycle.
If the BYD Dolphin can really recover 150 km (93.2 miles) of range in only 5 minutes and there are enough fast chargers able to deliver that, a bigger battery pack might not be needed. However, it is essential to remember that the best way to charge a battery pack is with no rush. The good thing about the Blade Battery is that it can last for 1.2 million km (745,645.4 miles) under automotive use.
With these qualities and the attractive design, it will be a complete mystery if BYD decides to sell the Dolphin only for the Chinese market. Europe would love to have it as an option, and even the US could fancy the new EV. BYD would better expand internationally in a more aggressive way as soon as possible.
According to the MIIT filings, the Dolphin will have two derivatives. The SR (Standard Range) will be able to run 301 km under the NEDC cycle testing. It presents a 30.72 kWh battery pack and weighs only 1,285 kg (2,832.9 lbs). For a car that is 4.07 (13.3 ft) meters long – but has a wheelbase of 2.70 m (8.85 ft) – that is quite an achievement for an electric vehicle. The Honda Jazz is 4.04 m (13.2 ft) long, weighs 1,253 kg (2,762.4 lbs), and is a combustion-engined vehicle.
#BYD Dolphin’s #EV Standard Range & Long Range Battery, range and power released via MIIT.
— ChinaDriven (@ChinaDriven) July 16, 2021
Expect a sub ¥100K starting price. And fast charging times with their Blade 3.0 e-platform with 800v architecture.$BYDDF $BYDDY #800v #EVs #ElectricVehicles pic.twitter.com/Zm3DJLMNBq
For people willing to travel a little further, BYD also developed the LR (Long Range) version with a 44.93 kWh battery pack. With the extra LFP cells in its Blade Battery pack, it could run up to 405 km – also according to the NEDC cycle.
If the BYD Dolphin can really recover 150 km (93.2 miles) of range in only 5 minutes and there are enough fast chargers able to deliver that, a bigger battery pack might not be needed. However, it is essential to remember that the best way to charge a battery pack is with no rush. The good thing about the Blade Battery is that it can last for 1.2 million km (745,645.4 miles) under automotive use.
With these qualities and the attractive design, it will be a complete mystery if BYD decides to sell the Dolphin only for the Chinese market. Europe would love to have it as an option, and even the US could fancy the new EV. BYD would better expand internationally in a more aggressive way as soon as possible.
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