BYD’s Next Affordable Electric Hatchback Seen Testing in China

BYD continues to tighten its grip on the affordable EV segment. New spy shots from China reveal a previously unseen compact electric hatchback already deep into road testing, signaling that BYD is preparing another low-cost EV to complement — or potentially undercut — the Dolphin.

The camouflaged prototype was recently photographed driving on public streets in Shenzhen, offering the clearest evidence yet that BYD’s entry-level lineup is about to expand again.

Familiar Shape, Clear Purpose

From the images circulating on social media, the mystery hatchback immediately draws comparisons to the BYD Dolphin, one of BYD’s most successful global models. Its proportions are compact, upright, and clean, suggesting a practical city car rather than a sporty design experiment.

This approach fits neatly with BYD’s broader push toward mass-market electric mobility, where usability, cost, and efficiency matter more than aggressive styling.

Design Clues From Other BYD Models

Several small but telling details link this prototype to existing BYD vehicles:

• Wheels closely resemble those used on the BYD Atto 1, known as the Seagull in China

• The charging port is positioned on the rear right side, a layout seen on rear-wheel-drive BYD models like the BYD Seal and BYD Sealion 7

That charging-port placement has sparked speculation that the new hatchback could use a rear-wheel-drive layout, helping it stand out from the many front-wheel-drive rivals in the affordable EV space.

Likely Launch Timing and Technology

With real-world testing already underway, industry observers expect this new BYD hatchback to be targeting a 2026 launch. If so, it would likely debut with:

• Updated vehicle software

• Refreshed electric motors

• BYD’s latest Blade lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery technology

This would allow it to slot neatly into BYD’s next generation of global EVs, many of which are scheduled to roll out over the next two years.

What This Could Mean for Australia

For Australian buyers, the implications are significant. BYD’s local EV journey has already been aggressive:

• The Atto 3 introduced the brand to Australia

• The Dolphin arrived in 2023 and briefly became the cheapest EV on sale

• In early 2025, the Dolphin Essentials returned that title at $29,990 before on-road costs

• Shortly after, the Atto 1 pushed the bar even lower at $23,990

A new, smaller electric hatchback could allow BYD to refresh its entry-level offering once again, especially as competition from other Chinese brands intensifies.

Rivals such as Geely are already selling huge volumes of low-cost electric hatchbacks in China and preparing for global expansion. BYD clearly has strong incentives to keep pushing further down-market.

Big Picture

If this mystery hatchback reaches international markets — including Australia — it could once again reset expectations for how affordable a new electric car can be. While details remain scarce, the sighting confirms one thing: BYD is not done reshaping the entry-level EV market.