BYD Dolphin Running Costs UK 2026
Comfort (60kWh)
Last updated: July 2026
Cost per mile
6.5p
home 26.1p/kWh
Annual (10k mi)
£917
80% home
Real-world range
210 mi
WLTP: 265 mi
Peak DC charge
88kW
CCS
The BYD Dolphin is one of the best-value EVs in the UK market — a genuinely cheerful, well-equipped compact hatchback at under £29,000. Its 4.0 miles per kWh efficiency is excellent for the price bracket, matching the MG4 despite a smaller battery. It directly targets the Vauxhall Corsa Electric and Renault Zoe.
Running costs: BYD Dolphin
4.0 miles per kWh gives a home charging cost of 6.5p per mile — the same as the MG4 and matching the efficiency of much more expensive EVs. Annual electricity cost at 10,000 miles is approximately £917 with 80% home charging. Against a petrol Vauxhall Corsa 1.2 Turbo at 44 MPG (15.9p per mile at July 2026 prices), the Dolphin saves approximately £930 per year. For a car costing under £29,000, these are exceptional running cost credentials.
| Annual mileage | 100% home (26.1p) | 80% home / 20% public | 50/50 split |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8,000 miles | £522 | £734 | £1051 |
| 10,000 miles | £653 | £917 | £1314 |
| 12,000 miles | £783 | £1100 | £1577 |
| 15,000 miles | £979 | £1376 | £1971 |
| 20,000 miles | £1305 | £1834 | £2628 |
Public charging rate: 79p/kWh. Costs calculated on real-world efficiency of 4 mi/kWh.
Charging
88kW peak DC charging — shared with the Atto 3. For a primarily home-charging urban and suburban car this is generally sufficient, though longer trips require patience. AC home charging at 7kW.
Battery capacity
60.48 kWh
Peak DC charge
88kW
Charge port
CCS (DC) / Type 2 (AC)
Efficiency
4 mi/kWh
Key fact
The Dolphin offers a lower cost per mile than the Volkswagen ID.3, which costs £7,000 more to buy.
Who is the Dolphin best suited for?
Best for
- ✓Budget-conscious EV buyers
- ✓Urban and suburban daily drivers
- ✓First EV buyers wanting low running costs at low purchase price
- ✓Comparing against Vauxhall Corsa Electric, Renault Zoe
Less ideal for
- !Regular long-distance drivers (88kW DC limits practical rapid charging)
- !Those wanting premium interior quality
- !High mileage motorway drivers
Compare against your current car
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Calculate your savingMaximize Your EV Savings
Motoring experts recommend checking these three high-value offers to lock in the lowest cost of ownership.
Intelligent Octopus EV Tariff
Charge your BYD Dolphin at the UK's lowest overnight rate of 7p/kWh.
- Save up to £800/yr vs standard rates
- Automatic smart home charging
- 100% green energy certification
Smart Home Charger Installation
Standard professional installation quote from £899 (Ohme, Pod Point, Hypervolt).
- Fast 7kW charging (3x vs wall socket)
- Lock, schedule & monitor via smartphone
- OZEV homeowner grant checker
EV Salary Sacrifice Lease
Lease a BYD Dolphin directly from pre-tax gross salary and save up to 45%.
- Zero upfront deposit required
- Includes insurance, road tax & servicing
- Locked 2% BiK company car rate
Dolphin head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does the BYD Dolphin cost per mile in the UK?
At a standard home tariff of 26.1p/kWh (the Ofgem price cap rate for July–September 2026), the BYD Dolphin costs approximately 6.5p per mile. On an overnight EV tariff at 7p/kWh, this drops to 1.8p per mile.
What is the real-world range of the BYD Dolphin?
The BYD Dolphin has a real-world range of approximately 210 miles in typical UK mixed driving conditions. The official WLTP figure is 265 miles, which is measured under standardised test conditions and is typically higher than real-world performance.
How fast does the BYD Dolphin charge?
The BYD Dolphin supports up to 88kW DC fast charging via CCS (DC) / Type 2 (AC). AC home charging is also supported. The charge time from 10–80% varies depending on the available charger speed.
How much does it cost to run a BYD Dolphin per year in the UK?
At 10,000 miles per year and 80% home charging (26.1p/kWh) with 20% public charging (79p/kWh), the BYD Dolphin costs approximately £917 per year in electricity.