BYD will bring its entry-level EV to the UK as early as next year along with a slew of hybrids and its upmarket Yangwang brand.

The baby BYD, which will sit beneath the Dolphin in the Chinese firm's range, will come to Britain late next year or early 2026, but it won't be priced under €20,000 (£16,600). It means the £14,995 Spring will remain the UK’s cheapest new EV. 

In an interview with Electrifying.com, Executive Vice President of BYD, Stella Li, revealed that despite media outlets reporting the contrary, the car, called 'Seagull', won't wear that name but will be called 'Dolphin Mini' instead. The decision was taken as 'Seagull' has "different meanings in different English-speaking cultures," she said.

The new Dolphin Mini won't be a rebadged version of the Seagull that's already on sale in China, though, but a completely brand new model which "I haven't even seen yet", said Li.

Along with the entry EV, the Chinese powerhouse will also expand its range of plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) in 2025. A hatchback, saloon and another SUV will join the firm's line-up in 2025, and will be badged 'DM-i' just like the recently launched Seal U DM-i SUV (pictured). Additionally, Li has revealed that alongside those PHEVs BYD will bring its Shark 6 pick-up to the UK in 2025. 

The Shark 6 will use BYD's DMO plug-in hybrid platform that’s designed for more off-road use, and it’ll go head to head with Ford’s recently revealed Ranger PHEV. It's already on sale in Australia where the Chinese carmaker sold 2,500 units in the first few weeks, revealed Li. 

The pick-up is powered by 1.5-litre petrol engine mated to two electric motors to push out a mighty 430bhp and 621Nm of torque to all four wheels. A 29.6kWh battery pack allows for a pure electric driving range of up to 62 miles.

BYD will also be taking the fight to premium carmakers with its posh Yangwang brand. Expected to launch in Europe by 2026, the brand is predicted to offer its Land Rover Defender-esque U8 – with its innovative four-electric motor range-extender hybrid powertrain, and tank-turning and floating-on-water tech – the 1,288bhp U9 supercar, and "another model we are currently defining", confirmed Li.

BYD will bring its Yangwang brand to Europe after strong public reception at the 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed