BYD to launch an even more affordable electric city car, starts under $13,000

BYD quickly climbed the ranks with the arrival of the Atto 3 in Australia. 3rd best-selling EV in 2022It was also Australia’s most affordable Zero EV.

For 2023, the brand has even bolder ambitions by launching more affordable models, including a very affordable City Electric Hatchback.

The hatchback is called the BYD Seagull and has a starting price in China equivalent to 12,750 AUD, going up to 21,250 AUD. It will be available in local markets later this year.

Details of the model recently surfaced in Chinese media after BYD Seagull’s application was submitted to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT).

This approval application included technical data and images of the Compact City EV. It is also believed to be part of the Marine series like the Dolphin Hatchback. Spot test in Sydney in recent months.

Technical details of the motor and battery pack have also been submitted to MIIT. BYD Seagull will have an electric motor with a maximum output of 55kW in the front. For reference, the Atto 3 motor produces 150 kW, while the Dolphin is rated at 70 kW.

The battery powering the motor detailed in the application contains a 30.7 kWh Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) pack. The battery will be manufactured by FinDreams, a BYD subsidiary that specializes exclusively in battery technology. Rumor has it that the Seagull will have a sodium-ion battery.

In terms of dimensions, the applications submitted show that the BYD Seagull is slightly smaller than the Dolphin. The noted dimensions are:

• Total length 3,780mm
• Width 1,715
• Height 1,540

Along with that, the wheelbase is 2,500mm.

Compared with large city cars, BYD Seagull is 345 mm shorter in overall length and 30 mm lower than large city cars.

Also, the Seagull has a label weight of 1,160 to 1,240 kg. 15-inch or 16-inch wheels are available. The Dolphin is built with slightly larger 17-inch wheels.

Because it is a 5-door hatchback, it can be used both as a city car and as a rideshare. Given that Dolphin is slated for many markets, including Australia, he could even see a similar city car from BYD in the next 24 months.

Riz is the founder of Melbourne-based carloop, which specializes in Australian EV data, insight reports and trends. He is a mechanical engineer who spent the first seven years of his career building transportation infrastructure before starting carloop. He is passionate about cars, especially his EVs, and wants to reduce the emissions of Australian transport. He currently drives a red Tesla Model 3.