Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD has intensified competition in Europe with the official launch of its Dolphin Surf model in Berlin, marking its 10th offering in the region. The new EV, aimed squarely at cost-conscious buyers, is expected to challenge European automakers to lower prices in an effort to boost affordability—a key hurdle in EV adoption.

The Dolphin Surf is available in three variants, priced between €22,990 and €24,990, with ranges spanning 322 km to 507 km. As part of a limited-time promotion running through June, BYD is offering the models at reduced prices, starting as low as €19,990. According to BYD’s European sales chief Patrick Schulz, this pricing strategy is designed to shake up the market and attract a wider base of buyers.

So far, only a small number of electric vehicles, like the Dacia Spring and Leapmotor’s T03, fall below the €20,000 mark in Europe. However, that landscape is rapidly changing, with 11 new models under €25,000—including the VW ID.2, Renault R5, Fiat Grand Panda, and Hyundai Inster—set to launch this year. BYD's move comes at a time when the compact EV segment is emerging as a major battleground. “This part of the market is primed for electrification,” said Maria Grazia Davino, BYD’s managing director for central European markets.

The European Dolphin Surf is based on BYD’s successful Seagull model in China, which has helped catapult the brand to domestic dominance, trailing only Tesla’s Model Y in sales. In China alone, BYD registered over 442,000 units of the Seagull this year. Globally, the Dolphin Surf has seen a 45% sales surge in 2025, reaching 170,000 units to date.

After overtaking Tesla last year as the world's largest EV producer, BYD is now reshaping its European footprint. It’s expanding its dealership network, bringing in locally experienced executives, and diversifying its offerings with hybrid models—all in a bid to correct earlier missteps in the region.

These strategic shifts appear to be paying off. BYD’s German sales nearly matched its entire 2024 total within the first four months of this year, hitting 2,791 units, according to the KBA. Across Europe, the company’s first-quarter deliveries surged fourfold to 37,201 cars, bucking the trend of a 37.2% slump in Tesla’s European sales during the same period.

BYD's assertive push is a clear signal: Europe’s EV market is set for an affordability revolution, and the Chinese automaker plans to lead the charge.