BYD has launched the DOLPHIN Cargo e-Van, a compact electric light commercial vehicle priced from £29,358 ($39,590) excluding VAT and offering a WLTP city range of up to 347 miles. The model is a UK-built conversion of the BYD DOLPHIN hatchback, available to order now through participating UK retailers. BYD, which positions itself as a leading new energy vehicle manufacturer, is targeting commercial fleets and business operators with the vehicle.
Highlights
- City range of up to 347 miles on the WLTP cycle, dropping to 265 miles on the WLTP combined cycle
- Load capacity of 1,093 litres, including a 47-litre underfloor storage compartment
- Priced from £29,358 ($39,590) excluding VAT, or £36,305 ($48,957) including VAT
- 204PS electric motor paired with a 60.4kWh Blade Battery
A UK-Built Commercial Conversion
The DOLPHIN Cargo e-Van starts as the DOLPHIN hatchback, with the conversion to a light commercial vehicle (LCV) carried out in the UK. BYD says the domestic engineering work tailors the vehicle to the requirements of British commercial operators.
The conversion permanently removes the rear seats and installs a full metal bulkhead behind the front seats. This frees a load capacity of 1,093 litres, which includes a 47-litre underfloor storage space. Maximum load length is 1,250mm, the minimum load width between the wheel arches is 1,018mm, and maximum width is 1,160mm — all within the vehicle’s 4,290mm overall length. Maximum load height is 710mm.
The load area features a phenolic ply-trimmed flat floor with additional underfloor storage and a modular subframe. Hardwearing door cards and a bumper protection film are fitted for durability, and rear window options include polycarbonate panels for added security.
How Far Can the DOLPHIN Cargo e-Van Travel?
The vehicle is built on the BYD DOLPHIN passenger car platform and is powered by a 204PS electric motor paired with a 60.4kWh battery. BYD reports a WLTP range of up to 347 miles in urban driving and 265 miles on the combined cycle. These are manufacturer-cited WLTP figures; the WLTP test cycle is not directly comparable to the US EPA rating system and typically returns higher numbers. An optional 70 mph speed limiter will be offered to support fleet energy management.
At the core of the vehicle is BYD’s Blade Battery, which uses Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) chemistry and is free of cobalt. The company reports the design delivers improved durability, safety, and resistance to extreme temperatures relative to conventional battery technologies.
Equipment and Upfit Options
The specification is based on the DOLPHIN Comfort trim, giving the car-derived van (CDV) an equipment level above what many commercial buyers expect. Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) technology lets the van supply power directly to external equipment, supporting uses such as mobile servicing, site maintenance, portable lighting, and tool charging without a separate power source.
Standard equipment includes:
- Heat pump, heated steering wheel, and heated front seats — warming the driver rather than the load to improve battery efficiency
- 360-degree parking camera
- Smartphone mirroring via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
BYD can also arrange bespoke upfit solutions for commercial operators, including reversing alarms, amber warning beacons, vehicle livery, and customised storage configurations.
Pricing and Availability
The DOLPHIN Cargo e-Van is available to order now through participating UK BYD retailers, priced from £29,358 ($39,590) excluding VAT and £36,305 ($48,957) including VAT. Fleet support is available for corporate customers through the BYD UK Corporate Sales Team. The launch extends BYD’s expanding UK range, which recently added the DOLPHIN G DM-i plug-in hybrid and places the brand alongside rivals building out electric LCV lineups for British fleets.
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