BYD’s Low-Cost Seagull EV Now Starts at Under $8,000 in China

BYD, a leading Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker, has lowered the price of its most affordable model, the Seagull EV, to 56,800 yuan (under $8,000) in April. This reduction applies to the 2025 Seagull’s non-Smart Driving Vitality Edition, previously priced at 69,800 yuan ($9,500). The move is part of a broader promotion across BYD’s Ocean Series amid a competitive EV market in China.

The Seagull, launched last year, comes in three trims: Vitality, Freedom, and Flying, with battery options of 30.1 kWh or 38.9 kWh, offering ranges of 305 km (190 miles) and 405 km (252 miles) on the CLTC standard, respectively. Measuring 3,780 mm long, 1,715 mm wide, and 1,540 mm tall, it’s compact—smaller than the former Chevy Bolt EV and similar to a Fiat 500e. BYD upgraded the Seagull earlier this year with its “God’s Eye” smart driving system at no additional cost, reinforcing its claim of ushering in “a new era of electricity being lower than oil.”

The price drop coincides with robust sales growth. Last month, BYD sold 377,420 new energy vehicles (NEVs), including EVs and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), bringing its 2025 total past one million. EV sales hit 416,388, up 39% from last year, while PHEV sales reached 569,710, a 76% increase. Overseas, BYD moved over 206,000 vehicles in 2025, more than doubling last year’s figures. The Seagull, marketed as the Dolphin Mini in places like Mexico and Brazil, will soon debut in Europe as the Dolphin Surf, with prices expected below £20,000 ($26,000). Stella Li, BYD’s executive vice president, told Autocar: “It will be the best value” in Europe, even if not the cheapest.

The updated Seagull trims in China now start at: Vitality at 56,800 yuan ($8,000) with a 190-mile range, Freedom at 75,800 yuan ($10,300) with the same range, and Flying at 85,800 yuan ($11,700) with a 252-mile range. This affordability strengthens BYD’s position in China and globally, supporting its expansion into diverse markets. The price cut reflects BYD’s strategy to maintain competitiveness while meeting rising demand for cost-effective, efficient EVs, contributing to sustainable transportation worldwide.