The name might be silly, but BYD’s incoming Dolphin Surf EV may be worth all the sniggers when you pick this one up. It may not be the most capable EV around, but for good reason. By the time the Dolphin Surf is cruising SA’s streets, it’ll technically be the cheapest EV the country has ever seen.

That goes for both trims of the Dolphin Surf headed to South Africa. The Dolphin Surf Comfort is set to launch at R340,000, while the Dolphin Surf Dynamic tops out at R390,000 thanks to its larger battery. It’s snaking the crown away from the Dayun Yuehu S5, which achieved moderate success last year due to its R400k price.

Don’t flog the Dolphin Surf

It doesn’t look shabby, either. It’s a proper compact hatchback, measuring only 3.9m in length, with a ‘single-arc silhouette’ that BYD says only adds to the ocean aesthetic it’s going for here. Inside lies a “wave shape” instrument panel, packed with a 10.1in display that supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. A 7in digital instrument cluster sits behind the steering wheel. This can be woken by saying “Hi, BYD.”

“We are bringing a truly affordable and well-equipped urban electric vehicle to the mass market,” said Ming Xing, brand and marketing manager at BYD SA. “This isn’t just about making EVs available; it’s about making them a viable, attractive option for everyday South Africans. We are confident that its combination of safety, range, and smart features, all at a highly competitive price point, will make it a game-changer.”

If you’re on a budget, the R340k Comfort trim makes do with a 30kWh Blade battery, supposedly delivering a range of 232km on a charge. It’s powered by a 55kW front-wheel-drive motor and features a DC charging rate of 30kW. The Dynamic ups the charge speed to 40kW — which BYD claims performs a 30-80% charge in 30 minutes. It’s topping up the 38.8kWh battery, which offers a range of 295km.

You’re also getting 16in alloy rims across both variants, full-width LED tail-lights, and reverse cameras. You’ll have to pony up for the Dynamic Dolphin Surf if wireless in-car charging is a must. The Dolphin Surf is available in lime green, cream white, ice blue, and cosmos black — and can be taken for a test drive.