By Kelly Fisher
Not too long ago, Chinese cars were almost invisible on South African roads. If you did spot one, chances are you wouldn’t recommend it to anyone due to poor build quality. And the idea of a Chinese electric car? Unthinkable. In fact, electric vehicles themselves were rare sights. For a while, the Nissan Leaf was just about the only accessible EV around. There was also the ill-fated attempt at building a homegrown South African EV, the Joule, and the occasional high-end import that never really reached mainstream buyers.
Fast-forward a few years, and the landscape is changing. Globally and locally, the shift towards electric mobility is accelerating. In South Africa, we’re still kind of playing catch-up, especially when it comes to infrastructure, but EVs are definitely more readily available in our market thanks to brands such as Volvo, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar and Porsche. There are also one or two Chinese options, but still, the price points for most remain out of reach to many, until now.
The recent launch of the BYD Dolphin Surf felt like a turning point. At R339,900 for the entry-level Comfort model and R389,900 for the Dynamic version, it’s positioned as South Africa’s first truly affordable electric car, one that everyday drivers can realistically consider.
What struck me at the launch is that BYD doesn’t come across as just a carmaker; it feels more like a technology company that happens to build cars. Globally, the brand has been experimenting with innovations as bold as floating cars. Locally, the Dolphin Surf comes with youth-oriented, tech-friendly touches like in-car karaoke, while overseas models also showcase ultra-fast chargers capable of delivering hundreds of kilometres of range in just minutes.
The numbers that matter
Power: Both models use a 55 kW electric motor producing 135 Nm of torque, driving the front wheels.
Battery & range: The Comfort uses a 30.08 kWh Blade Battery, good for about 232 km WLTP combined range. The Dynamic bumps the battery up to 38.88 kWh, stretching range to 295 km.
Performance: Top speed is around 130 km/h, with 0–100 km/h taking 14–15 seconds depending on the model, more city cruiser than highway sprinter.
Charging: DC fast charging of up to 30–40 kW (depending on trim) can replenish 30–80% in about 30 minutes, with AC charging at ~6.6–7 kW for home or mall setups.
Safety: The Dolphin Surf comes with ABS, stability and traction control, tyre pressure monitoring, ISOFIX child seat anchors, hill-start assist, and 4–6 airbags depending on the model.
Tech & features: Inside, there’s a 10.1-inch rotating touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 7-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless charging pad, and voice activation. Boot space is 230 litres, expanding to 930 litres with rear seats folded.
Lifestyle appeal
This car was clearly built to be fun. Aside from its essential EV credentials, the Dolphin Surf is loaded with playful and lifestyle-oriented extras, depending on the model you choose and the option boxes that you tick. Think car karaoke built into the infotainment system; a rotating 10.1-inch touchscreen you can flip from landscape to portrait; voice control triggered with “Hi, BYD”; synthetic leather seats; and a 15 W wireless charging pad for your phone. Both trims have LED automatic headlamps with daytime running lights, 16-inch alloy wheels, full-width LED taillights, an integrated roof spoiler, shark-fin antenna, and an exterior look that includes bright paint options (Lime Green, Ice Blue etc.). It even comes with Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) capability — you can plug in small appliances during load shedding or for outdoor fun. Add in BYD’s smartphone app for remote control of key functions, and you can see how this car is designed to fit seamlessly into a connected, tech-forward lifestyle.
Driving impressions
I had about 30 minutes behind the wheel, not nearly long enough for a full review, but enough to get a feel for it. Steering was well-weighted, and the car felt light and easy to drive, especially weaving through city traffic and cruising along Cape Town’s Atlantic seaboard. The cabin tech is slick and intuitive, and the overall experience was pleasant, although some of the trip and surfaces of the interior made me think back to the older Chinese vehicles, where the interior felt slightly less polished.The range will be the real test. For city commutes and everyday errands, the Dolphin Surf feels well-suited. But spontaneous long road trips remain tricky in South Africa, where charging infrastructure lags behind and reliability can be hit-or-miss. There are a number of apps available for phones where you can check on the status of EV chargers in the country, or simply search “EV charging station” on Google Maps to find one that suits your commute.
On the topic of charging stations, at the launch, BYD noted that they have partnered with Eskom to roll out charging stations and the necessary infrastructure across South Africa. The Chinese manufacturer stated that they are looking at putting in charging stations in locations such as universities, shopping malls, government buildings, hospitals, high-density office areas and residential complexes. Having had a few EVs on test over the last year, and with BYD hoping to bring EVs to those who have previously felt like it was out of reach, I can say that more charging stations are needed. We have often arrived to a charging station only to find it in use or out of order.A step forward
The Dolphin Surf represents an important moment for South Africa. It lowers the barrier to EV ownership while introducing a sense of modernity and fun (yes, even karaoke included). With partnerships in place (such as ABSA’s R999 insurance offer for early adopters, bundled home wall chargers, and charging initiatives with Eskom), BYD appears intent on not just selling a car but establishing a broader, more supportive ecosystem. I can certainly see the appeal of the Dolphin Surf, especially for Gen Z and Millennial buyers keen to step away from traditional fuel methods. Of course, there will always be questions around how electricity is generated locally or the long-term sustainability of battery production, but for now, what matters is that EV ownership in South Africa is becoming more accessible and more exciting. The Dolphin Surf feels like a step in the right direction.The question now is whether South Africans are ready to take the leap?