BYD Dolphin Surf: 6 months in

BYD South Africa recently shared its sales figures to Naamsa, the Automotive Business Council for the first time since it arrived on local shores in 2023.

It registered a total of 589 units sold for March 2026, which is impressive as an NEV brand, considering a more established brand like Mercedes-Benz sold a total of 595 units in the same period.

The breakdown of its units sold in March 2026 can be attributed as follows, as per Cars.co.za:

• Dolphin Surf EV: 239 units
• Sealion 6 PHEV: 130 units
• Shark 6 PHEV: 94 units
• Sealion 5 PHEV: 72 units
• Atto 3 EV: 28 units
• Seal EV: 9 units
• Sealion 7 EV: 9 units
• Dolphin EV: 8 units

It is no surprise that the Dolphin Surf has sold so many units in March 2026, considering that it launched locally in September 2025 with a starting price point of around R340 000. It is currently SA’s cheapest EV. With the current fuel prices, it has become an even more attractive option for those living in urban areas with short commutes.

Dolphin Surf Quick Look

• 55kW of power; 135Nm of torque
• Comfort: 30kWh battery; 232km range (WLTP)
• Dynamic: 38.8kWh battery; 295km range (WLTP)
• 30-80% charge in 30 minutes
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• 16-inch wheel; 5 seat capacity

Here’s are some thoughts shared by a family member, Mohammed Kathrada, based in Durban, who purchased probably the first Dolphin Surf in SA, before even seeing it. It is the Comfort model.

Guest contribution, Mohammed Kathrada, Dolphin Surf owner, 6 months in:

My wife and I have been eyeing out an EV for a few years now. Partly due to the monthly savings expected and, admittedly, partly due to FOMO on the next fad.

When we heard that the BYD Dolphin Surf was available, I contacted their agent in Durban and purchased one without even seeing it. R340k for an EV was really too good a price to turn a blind eye to. Range anxiety would not be a problem despite only getting +- 220km on a full charge, as we would primarily be using it for school drop offs and pick ups.

Six months later, it has probably been one of the wisest purchases we’ve made. Due to the car being parked off at home for the majority of the day, we benefit from slow charging via our home solar panels. This means day charging is basically “free”.

Obviously there are times we have had to use the fast charger that was provided free by BYD, however the increase in our electricity bill has been negligible thus far. With the rising fuel price, we can look forward to further savings in the future.

We have yet to charge the vehicle away from home so this is something I can not comment on. It probably explains why an EV with a range of 220km is a perfect fit for our family.

One would think that moving to an EV after driving only ICE vehicles for 25 years, there would be a period of adaptation but there was none of the sort. My wife does suffer with range anxiety at times and the lack of a spare wheel does bother her, but this may be largely due to her default anxious nature.

Even with the relatively modestly specced Dolphin Surf, the instant torque at take off is quite obvious. Top speed is less than 110km/hr when driven in standard mode and around 140km/hr when driven in sport mode. Electricity consumption is 14.3 (kWh/100km) whilst being driven in sport mode and air-conditioning switched on.

The biggest con with driving an EV is that you really do not want to drive an ICE vehicle ever again. Although it is supposed to be my personal vehicle, its not uncommon to find that my wife has taken it to run some errands. I don’t blame her, it really is a pleasure to drive.

If this is what driving an entry level EV feels like, I look forward to getting behind the wheel of an EV with better specs.

Mariam Akabor: Why I prefer the BYD Dolphin Surf to the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid:

I find the drive on the Dolphin Surf to be very smooth, and it requires less effort compared to the Corolla Cross.

The rotary-style gear selector on the Surf is so nifty and easy to use, along with not having to worry about a handbrake, that I end up forgetting to release my handbrake on the Cross when I’m switching between the cars.

I do miss the larger boot on the Cross, but I can still comfortably fit a load of groceries in the boot of the Surf.

I love that I can talk to the BYD Surf (using the intelligent voice assistant) to control the air conditioner as well as check the weather.

The decision my husband took to buy an EV without even seeing it first has paid off for our family of five with loads of school and activity runs especially with the current climate of potential fuel increases.