MADRID: Chinese manufacturer BYD has opened the order books for the compact Dolphin, billed as one of the most affordable EVs on the market.
With many would-be electric car buyers lamenting that pure electrics are too expensive, BYD - which stands for "Build Your Dreams" - is targeting the global mass market with an attractive entry price in Europe of €30,990 (RM158,000).
The rather bland-looking five-seater Dolphin features a 44.9 kWh battery and measures a Golf-sized 4.30 metres from bumper to bumper. It can manage up to 340km between charges, the manufacturer announced at the presentation in Madrid. The car debuts later this year.
The front-mounted 70 kW/95hp electric motor gives the Dolphin a top speed of up to 150kph. This makes it less powerful than many city hatchbacks and the Dolphin takes a leisurely 12.3 seconds to reach 100kph.
The battery can be charged at a regular charging point (AC) with 11 kW and takes 29 minutes to charge up from 30% to 80% at a ultra-fast charging station, said BYD.
The maker said the car uses its patented Blade battery, a cobalt-free lithium iron phosphate (LFP) version which "offers a considerably higher level of safety than conventional lithium-ion batteries."
BYD can also supply an uprated 66.4 kWh battery and motors with 130 kW/177 hp or 150 kW/204 hp which pushes up the range to 427km and the top speed to 160kph.
The Dolphin comes with adaptive LED headlamps, heated side mirrors, 16- or 17-inch alloy wheels, a five-inch digital instrument cluster and synthetic leather seat upholstery.
Prominent inside is the 12.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with Apple CarPlay support. The EV also has keyless entry and start, automatic air-conditioning, a panoramic glass roof and a wireless phone charger.
