DOLPHIN SURF 30 kWh Active

The BYD DOLPHIN SURF 30 kWh Active is a 4-seat hatchback with front-wheel drive, on sale in the UK from £18,650. It accelerates from 0 to 62 mph in 11.1 seconds, slower than 92% of the electric cars on sale in the UK. Its estimated real-world range is 118 miles (190 km) in a mix of town, country and motorway driving. That puts it among the shortest-range 10% of the 471 electric cars on sale in the UK, and 61st of 67 hatchbacks.

It uses around 3.9 mi/kWh (158 Wh/km), more efficient than the typical EV on sale (3.5 mi/kWh). The usable battery holds 30 kWh and on a rapid charger it averages 45 kW between 10% and 80%. With one 15-minute charging stop, it can cover an estimated 124 miles (199 km) at motorway speeds.

It has a heat pump, which helps preserve range in cold weather, and it supports vehicle-to-load (V2L), so it can power appliances from its battery. The battery uses LFP chemistry, which manufacturers generally allow to be charged to 100% routinely.

Its UK starting price works out at £158 per mile of real-world range, higher than the median for hatchbacks (£142 per mile).

Second-hand, a 2025 example is estimated at £10,600–£12,100, based on typical EV depreciation. After typical battery wear, a 2025 car should still manage about 116 miles of real-world range. These are estimates, not valuations: check real prices before you buy.