EVs are more accessible now than ever. There are those available at lower prices, or you can go all out in the luxury segment. Either way, there’s a battery-powered vehicle to suit any budget.
But if you’re at the lower end of the EV market, there is one thing you need to know. Typically, these have rather limited ranges. Realizing that, some automakers have started fitting larger batteries in their smaller models.
OTHER STORIES YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED:
The all-new Toyota Land Cruiser Prado finally official in PH, starts at P4.8-M
Toyota GR86 finally gets an update, but it’s all under the skin
Take, for instance, the BYD Dolphin. Locally, we get the 45kWh battery pack, but other parts of the world are straddled with the 32kWh pack. Well, by the 2025 model year, the smallest battery option is now the 45kWh battery. That should be good news for those thinking about an EV but are having second thoughts because of range anxiety.
The new base battery pack now gives the Dolphin a range of up to 405km on a single charge. That said, those figures are based on the previous NEDC (New European Drive Cycle). Under the more recent (and realistic) WLTP numbers, that goes down to 340km.
As for power and torque figures, it remains the same as before. The 45kWh model puts out 94hp and 180Nm of torque.
But the bigger news here is the addition of an even more motor option. The higher spec models come with a 60kWh battery, but the 2025 model gets a boost in power and torque. From 175hp and 290Nm, the new higher-spec BYD Dolphin now packs 201hp and 310Nm of torque.
At the moment, the Philippine-spec Dolphin is only available with the 45kWh pack. Only time (and sales) will tell if BYD Philippines will decide to bring in the larger capacity variant someday. With its prime competitor, the MG4, offering three battery sizes, it might be time for BYD to do the same.
