BYD Dolphin Surf cost to own in the UK — the true 5-year total
The BYD Dolphin Surf starts at £21,950. Over 5 years, owning one (EV) costs about £28,239 in the UK as of July 1, 2026 — £471/month, £0.47/mile — including depreciation, charging (with the ~12% charging loss most calculators ignore), maintenance, insurance, financing and VED. That's £4,159 less than a comparable Kia Niro Hybrid over the same 5 years.
UK Electric Car Grant: up to £3,750 off the price of an eligible new EV (RRP ≤ £37,000, applied by the dealer). Shown for reference; not included in the totals above. Source: GOV.UK Electric Car Grant.
BYD Dolphin Surf · UK · 5-year estimate£28,239 total · £471/mo · £0.47/mi
Where the money goes
| Cost component | Electric · BYD Dolphin Surf | Hybrid · Kia Niro Hybrid |
|---|---|---|
| Depreciation (estimated) | £13,609 (48%) | £15,135 (47%) |
| Charging / fuel | £5,786 (20%) | £6,511 (20%) |
| ↳ of which charging loss | 12% (~£694) | — |
| Maintenance | £1,500 (5%) | £1,998 (6%) |
| Insurance | £2,780 (10%) | £2,625 (8%) |
| Financing interest | £3,564 (13%) | £5,129 (16%) |
| Registration & fees | £1,000 (4%) | £1,000 (3%) |
| Total cost of ownership | £28,239 | £32,398 |
BYD Dolphin Surf specs & assumptions
- Starting price (RRP)
- £21,950manufacturer
- Powertrain
- Electric
- Efficiency
- 25 kWh/100miWLTP
- Range
- 200 miWLTP
- UK electricity
- 26.11p/kWhOfgem
- Annual miles (assumed)
- 12,000UK average
Cost to charge the BYD Dolphin Surf at home
The BYD Dolphin Surf runs about £7.42 per 100 mi at home — versus about £17.42 for a typical 40 mpg petrol car. Home charging only (the ~12% AC charging loss is included); public DC fast-charging is billed per session by each network — often 2–3× the home rate — and isn't in these figures.
- Per 100 mi at home
- £7.4225 kWh/100mi + 12% charging loss × £0.26/kWh
- A typical 40 mpg petrol car
- £17.42/100miat £1.53/litre — for comparison
Compare the BYD Dolphin Surf against any car, your mileage & your scenario