Australia’s EV market is quickly becoming more accessible as Chinese automaker BYD has dropped the price of its entry-level EV, the BYD Dolphin, to below the AU$30,000K price point.
The new BYD Dolphin Essential is the latest trim of the BYD Dolphin, which for a time was the cheapest electric car you could buy in Australia, before similar price drops from the competition.
In order to get the price even lower than Dynamic – the Dolphin variant that was previously the cheapest solution from BYD – the company has removed some of the functions. The panoramic glass roof, power folding mirrors, wireless phone charger, heated front seats, privacy glass and phone key functionality have all been removed. However, the WLTP range of 340 km remains, along with the 60 kW DC charging capacity.
Similarly, BYD has also introduced an Essential variant of its popular Atto 3 electric SUV, which is now the cheapest solution in its category. It’s also got scaled-down features to help it reach a price point of AU$39,990.
New BYD models are just the latest development in an ongoing (and very competitive) price war for electric cars. In late 2024, MG dropped the price of its entry-level model, the MG4 Excite 51, to AU$30,990 drive-away as a limited-time offer, a deal it has since ended. Nissan, Cupra, GWM and other electric car makers have also adjusted prices in the past year in an attempt to attract more sales.
Is it finally time to go electric?
Remember, the Dolphin’s AU$30K price is before on-road costs, so you’ll be paying above the AU$30K point to get the car road registered. Still, at this price point it’s now in direct competition with petrol-powered alternatives like the Toyota Corolla (from AU$29,270) and other reasonably priced cars like the Hyundai i30 (from AU$32,935) and the Kia Cerato (AU$27,060). It positions the BYD Dolphin as a genuine, worthwhile rival to some of Australia’s most popular small cars. Combined with government funding for electric car loans, if you’ve been thinking about going electric but balked at the price, it’s definitely worth considering as your next car.
As someone who spent some time with the original BYD Dolphin, it’s a perfectly fine car for the price, and it includes a great Android-based operating system. Unfortunately, of the features BYD have cut, they seem to have left out my favorite trick, the 360 camera that lets you see the car through the center console from all sides as if you’re looking down on it – perfect for making tight parks .
It’s also clearly worth noting that it’s quite small, and if you’re considering taking it on a road trip, be aware that it has a fairly slow DC public charging speed – meaning stops at public charging stations will be longer than with e.g. , the more expensive MG4 Excite 64.
If you’re interested in weighing similar options, the MG4 is also worth investigating, as is the GWM Ora if you want a more interesting style.
The BYD Dolphin Essential is set to go on sale on January 13 alongside the BYD Atto 3 Essential.
