BYD Dolphin Mini or Renault Kwid E-Tech — which comes out cheaper?
As of 1 July 2026: over 5 years in Brazil (12,500 km/year), the Renault Kwid E-Tech is still the cheaper car to own — about R$132,004 versus R$132,353 for the BYD Dolphin Mini, a gap of R$349.
Purchase incentive (consumer): in Brazil there is no direct federal subsidy for a consumer buying a 100% electric car — unlike in Europe. The incentives are industrial: the MOVER program (which replaced Rota 2030 in June 2024) gives automakers an emissions-based IPI tax bonus/malus and R&D credits (~US$ 4,8 bi, i.e. billion, through 2028) — none of it reaches the buyer's pocket. On top of that, the old import-tax exemption for EVs is being phased out, rising to 35% in 2026, which tends to make imported EVs more expensive. We show this separately and include no incentive in the total costs above. Source: MOVER / US ITA / Mobility Portal, as of . Always check the current conditions before you buy.
Cheaper over 5 years · BrazilRenault Kwid E-Tech · R$132,004 in total · that's R$349 less than the BYD Dolphin Mini
BYD Dolphin Mini vs Renault Kwid E-Tech — Where the money goes
| Cost component | Electric · BYD Dolphin Mini | Electric · Renault Kwid E-Tech |
|---|---|---|
| Depreciation (estimated) | R$67,706 (51%) | R$63,994 (48%) |
| Charging / fuel | R$8,066 (6%) | R$12,519 (9%) |
| ↳ of which charging losses | 12% (~R$968) | 12% (~R$1,502) |
| Maintenance | R$11,250 (8%) | R$11,250 (9%) |
| Insurance | R$26,000 (20%) | R$26,000 (20%) |
| Financing interest | R$19,332 (15%) | R$18,241 (14%) |
| Taxes & fees | R$0 (0%) | R$0 (0%) |
| Total cost of ownership | R$132,353 | R$132,004 |
When is the electric car worth it?
The electric car pays off once you drive more than 13,500 km/year or keep the car longer than 6 years — that's when the lower running cost manages to cover the higher purchase price.
BYD Dolphin Mini vs Renault Kwid E-Tech — Head-to-head
BYD Dolphin Mini
- 5-year total cost
- R$132,353
- per month
- R$2,206
- R$/km
- R$2.12
- Purchase price
- R$105,790
- Drivetrain
- Electric
- Consumption
- 9,6 kWh/100km
Renault Kwid E-Tech
- 5-year total cost
- R$132,004
- per month
- R$2,200
- R$/km
- R$2.11
- Purchase price
- R$99,990
- Drivetrain
- Electric
- Consumption
- 14,9 kWh/100km (26,8 kWh / 180 km Inmetro)
- Electricity price
- 0.91 R$/kWh ANEEL / GlobalPetrolPrices
- Fuel price
- 6.14 R$/l ANP