BYD launched its best-selling EV, BYD Seagull, in Europe, starting at under 20,000 EUR (22,700 USD). The top trim has a 43.2 kWh battery, good for 310 km range, and BYD claims it can travel 507 km in urban areas under WLTP City conditions. The European name of Seagull is Dolphin Surf, and it has several changes compared with the Chinese version.

The European version is a bit bigger than the Chinese one: BYD Surf is 3,990 mm long, which is 210 mm longer than Seagull, 5 mm wider, and 40 mm higher. The wheelbase is the same, 2,500 mm. This is nothing unusual, as BYD Dolphin also became bigger when it arrived in Europe, and here is an explanation why.

The exact dimensions of the two versions are (length/width/height):

• Seagull: 3780/1715/1540 mm, wheelbase 2500 mm
• Dolphin Surf: 3990/1720/1590 mm, wheelbase 2500 mm

The all-electric hatchback is a 5-seater and will have three options in Europe. All of them are FWD, sit on e-platform 3.0, and have a top speed of 150 km/h. The entry-level version is called Active and starts at 19,990 EUR (22,700 USD). It comes with a 30 kWh LFP blade battery good for 220 km WLTP and a 65 kW motor.

For comparison, the Seagull’s entry-level trim in China has the same 30 kWh battery, weaker 55 kW motor, range of 305 km under CLTC conditions, and price of 56,800 yuan (7,870 USD).

The two higher trims of the Dolphin Surf have the same 43.2 kWh battery, good for about 310 – 322 km WLTP range, but differ in e-motor. The mid-level has 65 kW (the same as the Active trim), and the top trim has a 115 kW motor. In China, the maximum motor power of Seagull is 55 kW.

Here is the BYD Dolhin Surf trim overview:

Active:

• 30 kWh battery
• 220 km WLTP
• 65 kW motor
• 19,990 EUR (22,390 EUR*)

Boost:

• 43.2 kWh battery
• 322 km WLTP
• 65 kW motor
• 23,380 EUR (25,390 EUR*)

Comfort:

• 43.2 kWh battery
• 310 km range WLTP
• 115 kW
• 25,880 EUR (27,890 EUR*)

*price after the end of June, when the promotion ends.

BYD claims that Dolphin Surf can charge 30% – 80% in 22 minutes. The AC charging increased from 6.6 kW to 11 kW compared with the Chinese version. The maximum DC charging speed increased from 40 kW to 65 kW on entry-level Active trim and jumped to 80 kW on the two higher trims with a 42.3 kWh battery.

Inside the car, you find the BYD signature rotatable touchscreen with 10.1″, wireless phone charging and two cup holders. The rear seats are foldable.

BYD Seagull is the company’s cheapest EV and its best-selling car. In 2025 (January – April), it was the third best-selling car in China, with 113,099 delivered units, just behind Wuling Hongguang Mini EV and Geely Xingyuan.

The Dolphin Surf will sell in Germany, the UK, Belgium and other European markets. It will compete with Renault 58, VW ID.3 or Dacia Spring. In Germany, BYD sold 2,791 cars in 2025 (January-April), up 384.5% from the same period last year, according to data monitored by China EV DataTracker.