MILAN – The Chinese automaker BYD has launched its European campaign this year with several full-electric models, including the Dolphin compact hatchback, the Atto 3 compact crossover, the Tang midsize SUV and the Seal midsize sedan.
BYD, which is competing with Tesla to be the world’s best-selling full-electric brand, has sold 6,777 cars in Europe through October, according to Dataforce. The best-selling model is the Atto 3, with 5,572 sales, followed by the Tang with 545. There were 217 Dolphins sold in that period, most of which were in October alone.
To see how BYD’s offerings compare with Tesla, the legacy European automakers who are transitioning to EVs and other Chinese newcomers, Automotive News Europe recently test drove a Dolphin in the Comfort version over a week and 800 kilometers (500 miles) through Northern Italy.
The Dolphin is underpinned by BYD’s e-Platform 3.0, and uses BYD’s own lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) blade battery. Battery capacity is 60.4 kilowatt-hours, with a WLTP range of 427 kilometers (267 miles); a 44.9 kW battery will be available later in Europe. Charging speed is 88 kW per hour, with a charge from 10 to 80 percent taking 29 minutes.
The Dolphin starts from 35,990 euros in Germany before incentives. Its main rivals are the MG4, the Volkswagen ID3, the Citroen e-C4, the Renault Scenic E-Tech, the Peugeot e-308 and the Opel/Vauxhall Astra-e. The MG and BYD have the edge on price on most competitors, although the e-C4 is roughly equivalent to the Dolphin after Stellantis restructured its trim levels.
The Dolphin’s 150-kilowatt motor delivers smooth and brisk power, with a 0-100 kph (0-62 mph) time of 7 seconds. The Economy drive mode, one of three available, with Normal and Sport, tames acceleration considerably.