BYD has just pulled the covers off its brand new light commercial vehicle and it's set to go toe to toe with Volvo's recently announced EX30 Cargo, the Citroen e-C3 Van and Ford Explorer Van.
Each brings its own unique advantage to the table, the Volvo is the comfiest, Citroen the cheapest, and Ford the most spacious.
BYD has gone for a different USP though. The new Dolphin Cargo boasts the longest WLTP city range of any hatchback LCV at 347 miles. Yes, the official combined rating is much lower at 265 miles but in BYD's defence, when was the last time you saw a Dolphin on the motorway?
Besides, small LCVs like this one are most often used for deliveries over short distances within city limits. That's not to say that the Dolphin Cargo isn't capable of much more than that though.
BYD has had the Dolphin upgraded via a UK-based modifier with additional underfloor storage, a ply-trimmed flat load floor, and the option to have polycarbonate rear window panels to improve security. That's on top of the standard heat pump, heated steering wheel and seats, plus the 360-degree parking cameras.
Optional extras include your choice of livery (preferably the same as your company's) and flashing orange lights on the outside of the Dolphin Cargo.
It's a practical choice, despite being a small donor car. With a bit of effort, you could fit an actual dolphin in the back of the BYD's 1,250mm load bay, which has a load capacity of 1,093 litres. (Fun fact: a fully grown Hector's Dolphin measures just 1,200mm to 1,600mm long...)
Questionable fishing practices aside, you get the same 60.4kWh LFP battery, 204hp front motor, and 3.3kW of vehicle-to-load (V2L) capacity as the standard Dolphin passenger car and prices start from £29,358 plus VAT.
