The global EV leader is unleashing new electric cars in the industry’s fastest-growing car segments. Despite being excluded from the UK’s new Electric Car Grant, BYD believes it’s still poised to see strong EV sales growth in the region.
BYD expects EV sales growth in Europe and the UK
The UK’s new Electric Car Grant (ECG) offers buyers a discount of up to £3,750 ($5,000) off the price of a new EV.
New electric vehicles are eligible for a grant of £3,750 ($5,000) or £1,500 ($2,000), depending on how sustainable the manufacturing process is.
Since the program takes into account the energy used to produce the vehicle, Chinese automakers, including BYD, have been excluded from the savings. Despite this, the global EV leader believes it’s still poised to see higher demand in the region.
BYD’s executive vice president, Stella Li, told Autocar that being excluded from the grant won’t slow its rapid EV sales growth in the UK. Instead, Li insisted that the UK’s new electric car grant was “not fair to consumers” as it left Chinese brands out.
In response, BYD introduced its own savings initiative to “reward drivers choosing to go electric.” The company is offering five years of free maintenance on new EV purchases, including the Dolphin Surf, Dolphin, and Atto 3. Approved used BYD vehicles are also eligible.
BYD also increased its battery warranty to eight years and 200,000 km (155,342 miles) across its entire lineup of electric and hybrid (DM-i) vehicles. The warranty includes those who have already purchased a car.
“We understand that customers are looking for more than just savings upfront – they want lasting value and assurance, Steve Beattie, BYD UK’s sales boss, said. Beattie added, “While we may not currently be part of the Electric Car Grant, we didn’t want to wait to show our commitment.”
With a series of new electric vehicles rolling out, BYD will cover nearly all segments, including entry-level, midsize crossover SUVs, luxury, and more.
The Dolphin Surf, BYD’s cheapest electric car, starts at just 18,650 GBP ($25,000 in the UK). Even without the grant, it’s still one of the most affordable EVs on the market.
According to Autocar, it’s the fifth cheapest electric car in the country, following the Citroën Ami, Leapmotor T03, Dacia Spring, and Micro Microlino. The Dolphin Surf is more affordable than the Hyundai Inster and Ford Puma-e, even without the savings.
Electrek’s Take
Although the Dolphin Surf is expected to see strong demand, it’s only one model in BYD’s seemingly ever-expanding EV lineup.
BYD also offers the Dolphin and Atto 3, some of its top-selling models globally. Earlier this year, it launched the Sealion 7, a midsize electric SUV set to go head-to-head with the Tesla Model Y and the smaller Atto 2. And then there’s the Seal U DM-i, BYD’s first plug-in hybrid in the UK.
Through the first eight months of 2025, BYD has sold nearly 25,000 vehicles in the UK, a drastic increase from the just over 4,100 cars it sold in the same period last year.
BYD is already outselling major brands like Honda and Mazda, and it’s closing in on Tesla, which has sold 26,951 vehicles in the UK through August.
With several more in the pipeline, BYD is poised to see higher EV sales growth over the next few months/years, with or without government support.
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