BYD’s low-cost Seagull EV, sold as the Dolphin Surf in Europe, is getting another update with a longer body and a more powerful motor.
BYD Seagull EV is due for a refresh
Starting at just 69,800 yuan, or about $10,000, the Seagull is BYD’s smallest, most affordable electric car in China.
Sold as the Dolphin Surf, the electric hatch starts at just £18,675 ($25,000) in the UK and €22,990 ($26,000) in Europe, making it one of the most affordable in its class. In other overseas markets, it’s branded as the Dolphin Mini.
According to CleanTechnica, the BYD Seagull/Dolphin Surf (Mini) is the fifth-best-selling electric vehicle in the world through the first five months of 2026, with over 125,000 units sold.
After it just launched the 2026 Seagull EV in China in May, now equipped with a roof-mounted LiDAR (a first in its class), BYD is preparing to launch another updated model.
Zhang Zhuo, general manager of BYD’s Ocean sales division, previewed the new Seagull in a mysterious teaser on Friday. The caption read, “As its silhouette gradually emerges in the shadows, the promise of growing up is about to be fulfilled. #BYDSseagull#.”
On the same day, the new Seagull was revealed in the latest batch of new energy vehicles approved for sale by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT).
According to the release, the model measures 4,205 mm in length, 1,810 mm in width, and 1,570 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,650 mm, which is considerably longer than the current Seagull at 3,780 mm in length.
The new Seagull also features a more powerful 95 kW (127 hp) electric engine, another considerable jump from the 55 kW (75 hp) engine in the current model.
While specifics were not revealed, the electric hatch will use a BYD Blade LFP battery. The current Seagull EV is offered with two battery pack options, 30.08 kWh and 38.88 kWh. The former delivers a CLTC driving range of up to 305 km (190 miles) while the latter gets up to 405 km (251 miles).
Inside, the 2026 Seagull was updated with a new 12.8″ floating central infotainment screen that includes 3D car control and BYD’s DiLink 150 advanced smart cockpit.
| 2026 BYD Seagull EV variant | Starting Price |
| 305 km Vitality | 69,900 yuan ($10,300) |
| 305 km Freedom | 78,900 yuan ($11,600) |
| 305 km Freedom (With optional God’s Eye B) | 90,900 yuan ($13,400) |
| 405 km Comfort | 78,900 yuan ($11,600) |
| 405 km Flying | 85,900 yuan ($12,600) |
| 405 km Flying (With optional God’s Eye B) | 97,900 yuan ($14,400) |
The higher-priced Freedom and Flying trims offer BYD’s God’s Eye B, or DiPilot 300, a mid-tier smart driving system typically reserved for higher-end vehicles as an optional feature.
Powered by an Nvidia Drive Orin chip, the system includes a roof-mounted LiDAR to support ADAS features like NOA (Navigation on Autopilot) in cities and on highways, as well as automated parking.
While the regulatory filing is for the Seagull EV sold in China, BYD is expected to introduce similar upgrades to the Dolphin Surf and Mini.
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