BYD’s new lower-priced Dolphin lands in Australia as the first EV priced under $30,000
China’s EV leader is unleashing its low-cost electric cars overseas. BYD now has the first EV to cost under $30,000 in Australia. After launching an even cheaper Dolphin model, BYD said stay tuned for another big announcement on Monday.
BYD launches Australia’s first EV for under $30,000
BYD is known for its super-affordable electric cars like the Dolphin, Atto 3, and Seagull. In China, you can snag a Seagull EV for under $10,000 (69,800 yuan).
After a record year in 2024, BYD is looking for even more growth this year. The EV giant sold nearly 510,000 vehicles in December alone. In total, BYD sold over 4.27 million new energy vehicles (NEV) in 2024, up 41% from 2023. BYD’s NEV sales include EVs and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs).
Now, the company is making a strong push to drive growth in overseas markets. One of BYD’s biggest targets is Australia.
Although BYD’s Dolphin was the cheapest EV when it landed in Australia in 2023, it’s now even more affordable. According to The Sydney Morning Herald, a new Dolphin Essentials trim is now available to order starting at $29,990 (plus on-road costs). It’s the first EV to start at under $30,000 in Australia.
Unlike the Standard trim, the stripped-down model does not include a panoramic sunroof, heated seats, or a wireless phone charger. It does include the same 44.9 kWh BYD Blade Battery for up to 350 km (217 miles) WLTP driving range.
BYD’s new Dolphin model is cheaper than the MG4, priced just under $31,000, including discounts. The MG4 usually starts at around $38,000.
The new trim is the latest in a series of new EV launches from BYD in The Land Down Under. Deliveries are expected to begin in March. Meanwhile, BYD will deliver the first Shark PHEV pickup models in Australia next week.
BYD’s first pickup truck starts at $57,900 before on-road costs. It will join the Atto 3 SUV, starting at $39,990, and Seal EVs, priced at $49,888, in BYD’s Australia lineup. The company is seeing strong demand, with 5,500 orders already placed.
In mid-February, BYD will launch its new Sealion 07, widely viewed as a legitimate Tesla Model Y rival. Starting at under $60,000, BYD’s new electric SUV is expected to match the Model Y at around $55,900.
EVDirect CEO David Smitherman said the company’s “objective is to support Australian consumers in the cost-of-living crisis and to help Australians in the transition to the new world of electric vehicles.”
BYD’s strong push into Australia comes after new tariffs on Chinese EV imports in the US and Europe. EVDirect said Australia is a key market as it looks to accelerate overseas sales. Smitherman said, “Stay tuned” to another major announcement from BYD Australia later today. Will BYD launch its even lower-priced Seagull? The company hinted at it just a few months ago. Check back soon for more.
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The State of California is moving to ban the sale of Tesla cars amid claims that the company and its CEO, Elon Musk, have misled buyers about the self-driving capabilities of their cars. We’ve also got market-leading news out of Vietnam and a pricey, pricey lesson for one VW ID.Buzz buyer on today’s lesson-learning episode of Quick Charge!
We also ask what this might mean for the recent Uber/Lucid autonomous taxi tie-up and go through a full rundown of the fastest depreciating EVs on the market (and yes, there are four Tesla models in the top 10 … because the Cybertruck was too new to qualify).
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If you’re considering going solar, it’s always a good idea to get quotes from a few installers. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. It has hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use, and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them.
Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here.
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Sunrun is putting tens of thousands of home batteries to work in Puerto Rico as the island’s electric grid faces a summer of high temperatures and energy shortfalls.
The company says it’s now dispatching energy from over 37,000 residential batteries to help grid operator LUMA keep the lights on. That stored power is being used to prevent rolling blackouts when demand spikes and centralized power plants can’t keep up.
Sunrun’s emergency power contribution has grown more than tenfold since last summer. LUMA expects more than 75 energy shortfall events between now and October, with each dispatch sending electricity to the grid for four consecutive hours. During several recent evenings, Sunrun and other virtual power plant (VPP) operators provided enough energy to offset a 50-megawatt generation gap, LUMA said.
Sunrun CEO Mary Powell said Puerto Rico’s aging infrastructure and intense weather patterns make home battery support increasingly critical:
It’s going to be a very difficult summer, which is why Sunrun has ramped up our dispatch capabilities, using tens of thousands of home batteries to support the grid and people of Puerto Rico.
She added that distributed power plants like Sunrun’s serve the same role as natural gas peaker plants – offering fast, reliable power during high-demand moments – but with clean energy.
Sunrun customers enrolled in the VPP will get paid too. Each participating battery earns about $200 minimum for the season, and customers who allow more of their stored energy to go to the grid earn even more. Sunrun also earns revenue for operating the VPP.
Read more: The US’s largest virtual power plant now runs on 75,000 home batteries
The 30% federal solar tax credit is ending this year. If you’ve ever considered going solar, now’s the time to act. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. It has hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use, and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them.
Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here.
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Volkswagen is advertising ID.4 leases starting at just $99 a month. It’s hard to find any car lease these days for under $100 a month, but for $45,000 electric SUV, it’s almost unheard of.
Volkswagen offers ID.4 leases as low as $99 a month
The Volkswagen ID.4 was the third top-selling EV in the US in January after the 2025 model year went back on sale.
Volkswagen’s electric SUV starts at $45,095 with an EPA-estimated driving range of 291 miles. It’s available in five different trims: Pro, AWD Pro, Pro S, AWD Pro S, and AWD Pro S Plus.
The base 2025 VW ID.4 Pro RWD is equipped with 282 hp from a single rear electric motor. Inside, it features a 12.9″ infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support, heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, and Volkswagen’s new ID.Cockpit digital instrument display.
Upgrading to the AWD version will gain a tow hitch and an additional 53 hp, for a combined maximum of 335 hp. The added power comes at the cost of some range, with an EPA-estimated range of 263 miles.
Volkswagen was already offering 2025 ID.4 leases as low as $129 a month, but some dealers are listing it for even less this month.
A California dealership, Volkswagen of Garden Grove, has the 2025 ID.4 Pro RWD listed for lease at just $99 per month. The offer is for 24 months with $2,995 down. According to the dealer, the offer includes a $5,000 cash back bonus, good on a new ID.4 purchase or lease.
We thought the 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 was a good deal with leases starting at just $179 per month, but for $99, now that’s a steal.
Looking for deals on the Volkswagen ID.4 near you? You can use our link to find and view offers on the 2025 Volkswagen ID.4 in your area (via a trusted affiliate link)
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