BYD Competes for Crown of Tesla, Introduces Cheapest EV Model in UK

BYD is not only about building the cheapest cars; it also announced ultra-rapid electric car charge points in Europe, where EV owners can recharge as quickly as fuel.

The Chinese manufacturer BYD is competing with American rival Tesla, run by the world’s richest man, for the title of the world’s largest battery carmaker. So, it launched its cheapest model in the United Kingdom, although BYD already outperformed Tesla when including figures for hybrid vehicles, which combine a battery with a petrol engine.

The name of the model is ‘Dolphin Surf,’ which will start at £18,650, currently the cheapest car in Britain.

The Chinese automaker registered more pure electric cars in Europe than Tesla for the first time in April, but Tesla barely lost its position as the world’s largest EV sales in 2024.

Registration for new Teslas in Europe dropped by half in April, especially after Musk‘s backlash with the Trump administration and Tesla shares declined.

Electric cars are more affordable than petrol cars for most people, but the introduction of smaller models with sticker prices that are comparable to those of fossil fuel cars is crucial for influencing lower-income buyers.

Analysts suggest that BYD has more room to cut the pricing of its new car. The company sells a nearly identical model under the Seagull name in China for £6,000, although Chinese safety rules are less burdensome.

The company has thrived in Europe despite the EU imposing 17.4% tariffs due to allegedly unfair state aid from China.

The UK has been the largest target market for Chinese companies as it has not added additional tariffs on Chinese electric cars, unlike the US, which has imposed a 100% tariff on China-made electric cars.

EV analyst Matthias Schmidt claims that the UK accounts for 30% of Chinese EV models sold in Europe in March. State-controlled Chery’s brands, including Xpeng, Leapmotor, and Jaecoo, are all eyeing to be at the top of the EV market chart.

BYD is not only about building the cheapest cars; it also announced the arrival of its ultra-rapid electric car charge points in Europe, where EV owners can recharge as quickly as filling up petrol.

It will establish a network of ‘flash charging points’ in Europe within the next 12 months.

Stella Li, executive vice president of Build Your Dreams (BYD), confirmed to the reporters about the development last week in Brussels.

The ultra-rapid charges are far more potent, with a 1,000 kW power consumption compared to its rival US Superchargers, which can only charge up to 250 kW and go 172 miles in 15 minutes.

Schmidt has warned against discounting European automakers, which sell smaller cars. The Dacia Spring is the least expensive electric car in the UK, priced at £14,995, despite having an official range of only 140 miles.

The new BYD model, Dolphin Surf, boasts a range of up to 137 miles. It offers some features often seen on more expensive cars, including a rotating touchscreen and driver assistance technologies ( intelligent cruise control and automated emergency braking).

BYD has made a conscious decision to offer a large portion of the same technology available in its premium cars in its lower-end vehicles while reducing the cost of sensor software and maintaining its competitive advantage.

The Surf’s cathode is lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP), used in BYD’s Blade battery. LFP batteries have cheaper materials than lithium batteries (which use nickel, manganese, and cobalt) but provide better performance, such as a longer range.

LFP batteries are popular among Chinese consumers who prefer lower initial costs, while European consumers focused on NMC batteries to ease anxiety among early adopters. Over 80% of EVs sold in China had LFP batteries.

BYD’s main Chinese rival, Contemporary Amperex Technology Limited (CATL), has invested significantly in LFP technology to take the crown in the global electric vehicle market. They are also competing to offer complete recharging in a matter of minutes.