BYD Dolphin plug-in hybrid revealed with 105km electric range

Details of the first plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version of the BYD Dolphin hatchback have been revealed in the UK, including official fuel consumption of 1.4L/100km, an electric driving range of up to 105km and the potential for a lower price than the equivalent electric vehicle (EV).

The Dolphin is already on sale in the UK, Europe and Australia as a battery-electric vehicle, but the Dolphin G DM-i introduces a PHEV variant developed specifically for Europe, to take on models such as the MG3, Volkswagen Polo and Toyota Yaris.

While no longer a significant segment in Australia, the B-segment 'supermini' class (known as light cars in Australia) remains one of Europe's largest vehicle categories. It accounted for approximately one-in-five new vehicle sales there in 2026, making it the continent's largest non-SUV segment.

BYD Australia told CarExpert it currently has no plans to bring the Dolphin G to local showrooms, and that the Dolphin will remain electric-only here for the foreseeable future.

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While its key rivals offer hybrid (HEV) powertrains, the Dolphin G combines a 1.5-litre four-cylinder 'Xiaoyun' petrol engine with a single electric motor and the choice of two Blade lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery packs, making it the segment's only PHEV.

The PHEV powertrain improves boot space to 425 litres compared to the Dolphin EV's 364L.

The entry-level Dolphin G Active uses a 7.42kWh battery and produces a combined 176kW of power and 210Nm of torque. It has a claimed fuel consumption figure of 2.6L/100km and a WLTP-rated electric driving range of 40km.

The rest of the lineup – consisting of Boost, Comfort and Sport grades – uses a more powerful 212kW version of the same powertrain, while retaining the 210Nm torque figure and adding a larger 18.3kWh LFP battery.

Despite adding 115kg and increasing kerb weight to 1555kg, the higher-specification powertrain cuts the combined fuel consumption claim to 1.4L/100km while increasing electric-only driving range to 105km.

All variants share the same claimed 0-100km/h acceleration time of 8.3 seconds and a 180km/h top speed, regardless of battery size or wheel specification, which ranges from 16 to 18 inches.

The larger battery also brings vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability and faster 6.6kW AC charging, compared to 3.3kW for the base Dolphin G Active. It also supports 39kW DC fast-charging, enabling a 10 to 80 per cent recharge in 26 minutes.

While powertrain specifications have been announced, pricing is yet to be revealed. However, the PHEV is expected to undercut the Dolphin EV, which is currently priced from £30,230 ($A57,528) in the UK.

BYD already offers a broader range of PHEVs in Europe and the UK than it does in Australia, with models such as the Atto 2 SUV – sold here only as an EV – also available with plug-in hybrid power.

For comparison, the Atto 2 Boost is priced from £30,875 ($A58,756) in EV form in the UK, while the equivalent model grade in PHEV guise starts from £29,995 ($A57,081).

PHEVs accounted for 13.8 per cent of new vehicle sales in the UK in May 2026, up 0.3 percentage points year-on-year according to SMMT figures.

Meanwhile, the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) reported PHEVs accounted for 10.0 per cent of new vehicle sales across Europe to the end of April 2026.

Australia's PHEV market share in May 2026 was 8.7 per cent, up 202.3 per cent on May 2025.

MORE: Explore the BYD Dolphin showroom