BYD Dolphin
A cheerful, affordable electric hatch built on BYD’s safe Blade LFP battery — one of the cheapest EVs on the PH market.
Who the BYD Dolphin is best for
City drivers who want the lowest-cost way into a brand-new EV.
BYD Dolphin specs at a glance
| Powertrain type | Electric (BEV) |
|---|---|
| Starting price | ₱1,440,000 (~$24,000) |
| Power | 204 hp (150 kW) — Max output shown; lower-spec entry variants make less. |
| Max range | 405 km (~252 mi) NEDC |
| Battery | 44.9 kWh |
| DC fast charging | 80 kW |
| Body style | Hatchback |
| Drivetrain | FWD |
| Seats | 5 |
| Sold in | PH, UK, EU, AU, Asia |
Figures are the starting price and maximum published range for a named trim; both are approximate and vary by trim, options and market. Conversions are approximate at ≈₱61 = US$1 (mid-2026); exchange rates move, so treat the converted figures as ballpark. PH range is quoted NEDC (optimistic); expect meaningfully less in real driving.
Pros
- Very low entry price for a new EV
- Blade LFP battery is durable and fire-resistant
- Easy to park and cheap to run in the city
- Well-equipped for the money
Cons
- Modest ~80 kW DC charging
- Smaller battery means shorter real-world range
- Firm ride on rough roads
- Range quoted on the optimistic NEDC cycle
Key features
- Blade LFP battery
- Rotating touchscreen
- V2L capable
- From ~PHP 1.4M
Ownership: warranty, after-sales and battery longevity
What this section is. A summary of documented, checkable ownership facts — warranty terms, published fleet data, battery chemistry, service-network reality — each with a cited source below. What it is not: a road test. We have not driven this car, and nothing here is a judgement on how it steers, rides or feels. Warranty terms in particular differ by market and change; treat these as a starting point and confirm locally before you buy.
Warranty
Vehicle: 6 years / 150,000 km whole vehicle; 8 years / 150,000 km electric drive unit; 12 years unlimited-mileage anti-perforation
Battery: 8 years / 250,000 km on the Blade battery, guaranteed minimum 70% state of health
BYD raised the battery mileage cap from 150,000 km to 250,000 km in January 2026 and applied it to existing vehicles as well as new ones.
Battery: 8 years / 160,000 km on the battery — a materially lower mileage cap than the UK and EEA term
Transfer to a second owner
The balance of BYD’s warranty transfers to a subsequent owner, which supports used values.
Battery chemistry
LFP (BYD’s own Blade pack). LFP tolerates routine charging to 100% better than nickel chemistries and has a strong thermal safety record; the trade-offs are lower energy density and weaker cold-weather performance.
What real degradation data shows
No model-specific published study. The applicable reference is Geotab’s 2026 analysis of more than 22,700 EVs across 21 makes and models found average degradation of 2.3% per year, leaving roughly 82% of capacity at eight years. Heavy reliance on DC fast charging above 100 kW pushes that to as much as 3.0% per year; hot climates add about 0.4 points annually. Recurrent reports a 0.3% battery replacement rate across 2022-and-newer EVs.
Reliability record
No long-running independent reliability study covers the Dolphin yet. That reflects how recently it arrived in most markets rather than any known problem — but it does mean you cannot check its record the way you can an established nameplate.
After-sales and service network
This is the field that should weigh most heavily on a BYD purchase, ahead of any spec. BYD is a recent arrival in most markets outside China and its dealer and service coverage is still expanding. Before buying, establish: is there an official BYD presence in your country, how far is the nearest approved service point, and what are current parts lead times. A strong warranty is only worth what the network behind it can deliver.
Philippine warranty terms could not be verified — the figures above are the UK/EEA and Australian terms and must NOT be assumed to apply in the PH. Confirm local terms with the distributor in writing. Parts lead times are unverified in every market.
Ownership sources: BYD Media — Blade Battery warranty extended to 8 years / 250,000 km · Geotab — EV battery health study, 22,700 vehicles.
Comparing warranties across models? See EV warranty and ownership compared.
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BYD Dolphin FAQ
Is the BYD Dolphin a good first EV in the Philippines?
For city use, yes — it is among the most affordable new EVs locally, with a safe LFP battery and low running costs. Its shorter range and modest charging speed matter more if you drive long distances.
What is a Blade battery?
BYD’s Blade is a lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery known for durability and strong safety in nail-penetration tests. LFP packs tolerate frequent full charging better than many other chemistries.
Sources
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