BYD DOLPHIN SURF
Electric vehicles are no longer something you only see in the premium car market; BYD is bringing that technology to a much wider audience with the launch of the Dolphin Surf.
For South Africans, the arrival of a more affordable EV means more electric vehicles finding their way onto our roads, requiring repairers to become more familiar with battery systems and repair procedures.
The Dolphin Surf is available in two all-electric derivatives offering quite substantial ranges with the Surf Dynamic offering a 38.8 kWh Blade Battery and a claimed range of 295 km. The entry level Comfort offers a slightly less 30 kWh battery and a claimed range of 232 km. Both derivatives are driven by a 55 kW electric motor powering the front wheels.
The Dolphin Surf is built around BYD’s e-Platform 3.0 and uses the company’s Blade Battery technology. The Dynamic accepts up to 40 kW of DC charging and can go from 30 to 80 percent in around 35-45 minutes. The Comfort supports DC charging at up to 30 kW. Another useful feature is Vehicle-to-Load technology, which allows the car’s battery to supply electricity to external equipment. Each vehicle comes with a 7 kW home charger wall box and V2L equipment.
The drive is as exciting as the Surf’s looks, with quick electric acceleration and impressive manoeuvrability thanks to its size. In and around the city, the Surf’s sure-footedness allows for an entertaining zippy drive. Parking is also made easy but with enough room to fit all the essentials inside, the Dolphin Surf is everything you could need in a sustainable run-around vehicle.
Inside, BYD has kept things premium and modern, with a 10.1-inch touchscreen, 7-inch digital instrument display, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, voice control and wireless phone charging. The cars premium finishes and minimalist design create a surprisingly spacious and comfortable cabin, it doesn’t feel like a small car from the inside. The Dolphin Surf’s body structure is made up of 61 percent high-strength steel, providing enough strength and crash protection. I think the body construction along with the vehicles raft of safety systems which come standard are why it has a five-star Euro NCAP crash test safety rating.
For repair shops, the biggest lesson is that EV accident repair requires new skills. Technicians need to understand high-voltage systems, know how to safely isolate the battery and have the correct equipment before beginning repairs. Safety must come before getting the damaged panel back into shape.
BYD is offering a three-year/100 000 km vehicle warranty, an eight-year/200 000 km battery warranty along with a three-year/60 000 km service plan.
At R341 900 for the Comfort and R395 900 for the Dynamic version, the Dolphin Surf could help bring EV ownership into the mainstream. For local body shops, it is another clear sign that the future of collision repair is becoming increasingly electric.
