Chinese carmaker has confirmed details for its Dolphin small electric hatchback, which starts deliveries in the UK later this year, priced from £25,490.

The Dolphin is one of a trio of BYD EVs arriving here in 2023

It’s one of a trio of EVs arriving here in 2023, also including the Atto 3 compact SUV launched earlier this year and the Seal saloon due shortly.

The Dolphin is the smallest of the three and brings a keenly priced rival to models such as the Peugeot e-208 and Vauxhall Corsa-E.

Michael Shu, general manager and managing director of BYD Europe, said: “BYD is convinced that high-tech electric mobility should be available and accessible for everyone. Therefore, we ensured that BYD Dolphin is not only intelligent and technology advanced, but also attractively priced.”

Also launching in Europe priced from €29,990 Euros (around £25,800), it’s based on the e-Platform 3.0 also used for the Atto 3 and integrating the ‘Blade’ structure.

It’s available in four trim levels – Active, Boost, Comfort, Design – with the base models due next year while the higher-spec models launch this summer.

Active models come with a 44.9kWh battery, giving a 211-mile range and able to be charged at up to 7kW AC and 60kW DC. It’s combined with a 95hp motor and, as with all models, comes with a heat pump.

Boost models get the same battery but a 176hp motor, dropping range to 193 miles. Equipment includes 17-inch wheels and multi-link rear suspension and prices start from £26,490.

Comfort and Design versions switch to a 60.4kWh battery and 204hp motor. This combo gives the highest range of 265 miles with a fuel consumption of 3.9 miles/kWh. Maximum charging rises to 88kW DC (enabling a 30 to 80% boost in 29 minutes) and 11kW AC. This powertrain also enables the Dolphin to accelerate from 0 to 62mph in seven seconds and gives a top speed of 100mph. Four driving modes are available and include Sport, Normal, Economy and Snow.

The Comfort is priced at £29,490 while the Design commands an extra £1,500 premium to add in features such as a panoramic roof, two-tone paintwork, tri-colour alloys, vehicle-to-load power strip with a 3.3kW external discharge, privacy glass in the rear seats and wireless smartphone charging.

The interior comes with a 60:40 split rear bench, allowing the 345-litre boot to be expanded to 1,310 litres when both seats are folded flat. The cabin also includes more than 20 cubbies and heated front seats with a six-way electric adjustment for the driver and a four-way electric adjustment for the front passenger.

All models feature forward collision warning, autonomous emergency braking, rear collision warning, rear cross traffic alert and rear cross traffic brake, lane departure prevention and emergency lane keeping assist.

Deliveries for the Dolphin will start across Europe in the fourth quarter of 2023 while Active and Boost models will launch early next year.