The electric-car revolution in South Africa has long been held back by one major obstacle: price. The BYD Dolphin Surf is helping to change that, bringing battery-electric motoring into territory previously dominated by conventional petrol hatchbacks.<\/p>\n
Starting at R341,900, the Dolphin Surf is one of the most affordable new electric vehicles available locally. It is a compact five-door hatchback aimed primarily at urban motorists, and its combination of low running costs, modern technology and easy driving makes a strong case for itself.<\/p>\n
The Surf is available in Comfort and Dynamic derivatives. Both use a 55kW electric motor driving the front wheels, with 135Nm of torque. The entry-level Comfort has a 30kWh battery and a claimed 232km WLTP range, while the Dynamic gets a larger 38.8kWh battery and a claimed 295km.<\/p>\n
For South African conditions, the Dynamic is arguably the more attractive choice because the additional battery capacity gives owners greater flexibility, particularly for Gauteng commuters who regularly travel between Pretoria and Johannesburg.<\/p>\n
Charging is another strength. BYD says the Surf can achieve an 80% charge in about 30 minutes under suitable DC charging conditions. For owners with home charging, overnight charging should make the car particularly convenient for daily use.<\/p>\n
Performance is not the Surf’s primary selling point, but the modest power output is sufficient for urban driving. The instant response of the electric motor makes it feel more lively away from traffic lights than the numbers might suggest. Its compact dimensions also make it easy to manoeuvre and park in congested shopping centres and city streets.<\/p>\n
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**Interior**<\/p>\n
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The Surf feels considerably more sophisticated than its price suggests. Equipment includes a 10.1-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, wireless phone charging, climate control, cruise control and a digital instrument display. The Dynamic also gets six airbags, while the entry-level Comfort has four.<\/p>\n
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**Performance**<\/p>\n
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There are compromises. This is a small car with seating for four, while the 308-litre boot is adequate rather than generous. Some cabin materials also remind you that BYD has had to control costs to achieve the price.<\/p>\n
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For South African buyers, however, the biggest attraction is the prospect of dramatically lower day-to-day energy costs compared with a petrol hatchback. The equation works best for motorists who can charge at home, while extensive reliance on public fast chargers will reduce some of the financial advantage.<\/p>\n
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**Verdict**<\/p>\n
The Dolphin Surf is an important car for South Africa. It demonstrates that an EV does not have to cost upwards of R700,000 to give you an enjoyable drive. It is practical, well equipped, quiet and inexpensive to run. For urban motorists prepared to plan around charging, the Surf is one of the most convincing affordable EV propositions on the market.<\/p>\n
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**Pricing**<\/p>\n
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BYD Dolphin Surf Comfort: R341,900<\/p>\n
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BYD Dolphin Surf Dynamic: R395,900<\/p>\n
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**Warranty \\& Guarantee**<\/p>\n
Vehicle Warranty: 3-year\/100,000 km<\/p>\n
Battery Warranty: 8-year\/200,000 km on the power battery pack<\/p>\n
Service\/Maintenance Plan: 3-year\/60,000 km service plan<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The electric-car revolution in South Africa has long been held back by one major obstacle:<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1064,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1063","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-motoring"],"yoast_head":"\n