BYD, the leading automaker has shook the industry with the reveal of its new Seagull (Dolphin Mini) prices. BYD has launched the new Seagull EV Honor Edition (Dolphin Mini Overseas) earlier this month. The key to note here is that the Company has given the starting prices as low as $9,700 to its new EV. Although BYD’s new EV earned the nickname “Lamborghini Mini,” is not sold in the US, American automakers are taking notes.
The new EV features BYD’s Blade batteries, available in 30.08 kWh and 38.88 kWh versions. As for range the former will go up to 190 miles (305 km) CLTC range, while the latter provides up to 252 miles (405 km) of CLTC range. Also it will charge from 30% to 80% within 30 minutes.
Interior of the car doesn’t make it a cheap EV with a 10.1” rotating center screen and otherwise minimalist design. With DiLink’s intelligent network, users can interact and play videos. It also features wireless phone charging, connected car tech, NFC (to unlock the electric car) and multiple airbags.
The Seagull has earned the nickname “Lamborghini mini,” as former Lamborghini designer Wolfgang Egger led the designs of EV.
According to Terry Woychwski, former GM executive and current president of automotive at Caresoft Global, BYD’s new Seagull could be a “ clarion call for the rest of the industry.” Also in a CNBC report, Woychowski called the low cost electric car “ a significant event” as American automakers look to keep up.
BYD new EV has qualified for the American standard as Caresoft, an engineering consulting firm inspects the very part of a vehicle. Although BYD has no plans to enter the US passenger EV market, If the Seagull arrived in America, it would likely still be tens of thousands of dollars cheaper than the average electric car.
