Thabo Nkosi 
The South African electric vehicle market has reached a major milestone with the introduction of the BYD Dolphin Surf, the country’s most affordable electric car. BYD, a global leader in new energy vehicles (NEVs), has launched two variants of the Dolphin Surf, starting at just R339,000, making it the first electric vehicle in South Africa priced below the R400,000 mark.
Affordable and Accessible Electric Options
The Dolphin Surf is available in two models: the Comfort, priced at R339,000, and the Dynamic, priced at R389,900. These prices are expected to attract first-time buyers looking to enter the NEV market. The Comfort model comes equipped with a 30kWh Blade Battery, delivering an estimated range of 232km on the WLTP cycle. It is powered by a 55kW front-wheel motor and supports DC fast charging at a maximum rate of 30kW.
The higher-spec Dynamic model features a larger 38.8kWh Blade Battery, offering a range of approximately 295km. With the ability to charge from 30% to 80% in just 30 minutes using DC charging at up to 40kW, the Dynamic offers enhanced convenience for drivers. Both models use BYD’s proprietary lithium iron phosphate Blade Battery technology, known for its safety and efficiency.
Designed for City Living
The Dolphin Surf appears to be ideally suited for urban commuting. During a test drive along Cape Town’s scenic coastline, from the Waterfront to Maiden’s Cove in Camp’s Bay, the vehicle proved capable of delivering a smooth ride with sufficient power for city driving. However, its performance on freeways and open roads remains to be fully explored.
Initial impressions revealed that the steering felt somewhat heavy, and the wheel didn’t return to center as smoothly as expected. The interior, however, earned praise for its ample leg and headroom for both the driver and front passenger. Rear passengers also benefit from generous legroom, though headroom may be a concern for those taller than 1.8m. Other highlights include comfortable seating, good rear visibility, and solid overall build quality.
Feature-Packed for Everyday Use
The Dolphin Surf offers a wide range of standard features, making it a competitive option in its price range. These include a 7kW home charger wall box, 16-inch alloy wheels, vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability, a 10.1-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a seven-inch digital instrument panel, voice control, and a 15W wireless charging pad. Additional conveniences include built-in karaoke functionality, NFC keyless entry, BYD app control, and 20 smart storage solutions. The vehicle has a boot capacity of 230L, expandable to 930L.
From an aesthetic standpoint, the Dolphin Surf resembles the Toyota Agya, particularly from the side, with sporty touches such as full-width LED taillights, front LEDs, a rear spoiler, and black alloy wheels.
BYD’s Growing Impact
Steve Chang, managing director of BYD Auto South Africa, highlighted the company’s impressive growth during the Dolphin Surf’s launch event. "BYD has had a 29% increase in revenue ($107bn) year-on-year, which includes all brands under it, from 2023 to 2024", Chang shared. BYD also recorded 4.27 million NEV sales in 2024, reflecting a 41% year-on-year growth rate. Exports have seen a significant 72% increase during the same period. BYD now ranks third globally in automobile sales, trailing only Toyota and Volkswagen.
Chang also revealed BYD’s plans to enhance South Africa’s EV infrastructure through a partnership with Eskom. The company is focusing on expanding public charging capabilities in key locations, including government buildings, hospitals, malls, schools, universities, and densely populated corporate areas. Further details were not disclosed, but these efforts could play a pivotal role in increasing EV adoption across the country.
A New Era of Affordable EVs
The launch of the BYD Dolphin Surf marks a significant step forward for South Africa’s automotive market. With its competitive pricing, practical features, and focus on urban mobility, the Dolphin Surf is poised to make electric vehicles more accessible to a broader audience. This new chapter in affordable EVs signals BYD’s growing influence and commitment to driving the future of sustainable transportation.
