The BYD Dolphin Mini, a compact electric hatchback, has entered the Mexican market with a price starting at MXN$358,800 ($21,000) for 190 miles (305 km) of range. A higher-end version, the Dolphin Mini Plus, priced at MXN$398,800 ($23,000), offers 252 miles (405 km) of range along with additional features like wireless phone charging and eight airbags.
BYD Dolphin Mini is priced at 21,000 for the base model and
23,000 for the Dolphin Mini Plus. This pricing is significantly lower than other electric vehicles in the market, making it one of the most affordable options available.
For instance, the second cheapest electric car on the market in Mexico is the JAC 10X hatchback, which is priced at 25,720, nearly
5,000 more than the Dolphin Mini. Similarly, other electric vehicles in the market such as the Nissan Leaf, Chevrolet Bolt, and Tesla Model 3 are priced significantly higher than the Dolphin Mini.
For instance, the JAC 10X hatchback, which is priced nearly $5,000 higher than the Dolphin Mini, has a range of only 155 miles (250 km). Similarly, other electric vehicles in the same price range as the Dolphin Mini, such as the Renault Kwid and Mahindra eKUV100, have ranges of around 100 miles (160 km) and 62 miles (100 km) respectively.
This affordable electric car uses BYD’s Blade batteries with lithium-iron-phosphate chemistry, allowing for worry-free charging without battery degradation concerns. Blade batteries boast a longer lifespan of up to 10 years or 4,000 cycles, lower production costs, enhanced safety with reduced risk of thermal runaway, high energy density. The BYD Dolphin Mini can be charged at a DC charging speed of up to 40kW and an AC charging speed of up to 6.6kW.
In Mexico, where subsidies for BEVs do not currently exist, the BYD Dolphin Mini stands out as the least expensive electric car on the market. With its competitive pricing and practical features, it aims to appeal not only to Mexican consumers but potentially to the US market in the future.
BYD Mexico’s goal is to sell 50,000 units of the Dolphin Mini in Mexico in 2024.
According to Ward Auto- “Per Mexican law, sticker prices must include a 16% federal value-added tax, and subsidies do not currently exist for BEVs in Mexico, although they are imported tariff-free”.