BYD is preparing to expand its electric vehicle footprint in South Korea with the upcoming introduction of the Dolphin, a compact all-electric hatchback scheduled to arrive in the market during the first half of next year. According to BYD Korea, the Dolphin is expected to be priced at approximately 20 million South Korean won, which translates to around $14,000, positioning it as one of the more affordable electric vehicles in the country. Once it goes on sale, the Dolphin will directly challenge domestic rivals such as the Hyundai Casper EV and the Kia Ray EV, both of which currently occupy the entry-level electric vehicle segment.
Industry sources indicate that BYD has already completed the necessary emissions and noise certification processes required by South Korea’s Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. With these regulatory hurdles cleared, the company is now finalizing the exact launch timing for the Dolphin. Chinese automotive media outlet My Drivers reports that while an official date has not yet been announced, analysts widely expect the car to debut toward the end of February next year. This timeline would align with the expected confirmation of South Korea’s electric vehicle subsidy framework for 2026, a factor that could significantly influence pricing and consumer demand.
The upcoming Korean launch follows a major global achievement for the Dolphin earlier this month. BYD announced that cumulative worldwide sales of the model have surpassed one million units, making it the third vehicle in the brand’s Ocean Series to reach this milestone. The Dolphin joins the Song Plus and the Seagull in achieving seven-figure sales figures, underscoring BYD’s growing influence in the global electric vehicle market.
At present, BYD already offers several models in South Korea, including the Atto 3 compact SUV—marketed as the Yuan Plus in China—the Seal mid-size sedan, and the Seal 7 mid-size SUV. The addition of the Dolphin will further strengthen the company’s lineup, particularly in the compact and urban-focused EV category.
Originally launched in China on August 29, 2021, the Dolphin holds special significance as the first model developed on BYD’s advanced e-Platform 3.0 architecture. Measuring 4,290 mm in length, 1,770 mm in width, and 1,570 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,700 mm, the Dolphin offers a balanced combination of compact exterior dimensions and practical interior space.
The vehicle uses a front-wheel-drive configuration and is powered by BYD’s proprietary lithium iron phosphate Blade battery technology. Buyers can choose between two battery options: a 44.9 kWh standard pack and a larger 60.4 kWh long-range version. These deliver CLTC-rated driving ranges of 420 km and 520 km, respectively. Power comes from a permanent magnet synchronous motor, producing 94 horsepower and 180 Nm of torque in the standard model, while the long-range variant delivers a significantly higher output of 201 horsepower and 310 Nm. When connected to a DC fast charger, the Dolphin can recharge from 30 percent to 80 percent in just under half an hour, taking approximately 28 to 29 minutes.