Leading EV maker BYD shook the industry after unveiling the new Seagull (Dolphin Mini), with starting prices as low as $9,700 (69,800 yuan). Although BYD’s new EV, which earned the nickname “Lamborghini mini,” is not sold in the US, American automakers are taking notes.
BYD’s new Seagull EV shocks the industry
BYD launched the new Seagull EV Honor Edition (Dolphin Mini overseas) earlier this month with a “shocking price” starting at around $9,700 (69,800 yuan).
Powered by BYD’s Blade batteries, the new EV is available in 30.08 kWh and 38.88 kWh versions. The former is good for up to 190 miles (305 km) CLTC range, while the latter provides up to 252 mi (405 km). It can also charge from 30% to 80% in 30 mins.
The inside doesn’t look like a cheap EV with a 10.1″ rotating center screen and otherwise minimalist design.
With DiLink’s intelligent network, users can interact and play videos. According to local reports, the Seagull has earned the nickname “Lamborghini mini,” as former Lamborghini designer Wolfgang Egger led the design.
Perhaps more importantly, BYD reportedly earns a profit on the Lamborghini mini, which has American automakers worried.
BYD Dolphin Mini (Seagull) launch in Brazil (Source: BYD)
According to Terry Woychowski, former GM executive and current president of automotive at Caresoft Global, BYD’s new Seagull could be a “clarion call for the rest of the industry.”
In a new CNBC report, Woychowski called the low-cost electric car “a significant event” as American automakers look to keep up.
BYD’s new Seagull EV (Source: BYD)
American automakers look to affordable EVs to compete
Caresoft, an engineering consulting firm, inspects (digitally and physically) every part of a vehicle to determine how its clients can improve efficiency.
After studying the new BYD Seagull, the firm found it simple and efficiently designed, built, and executed. However, Caresoft was met with better-than-expected quality and reliability.
“What they did do is done very well,” Woychowski explained. “It’s efficiently done.” For under $10,000, it’s a steal.
BYD Seagull (Dolphin Mini) testing (Source: BYD)
Although BYD has no plans to enter the US passenger EV market, if the Seagull arrived in America, it would likely still be tens of thousands of dollars cheaper than the average electric car.
BYD launched the Seagull EV in South America as the Dolphin Mini. In Brazil, the EV has a starting price of around $20,000 (99,800 BRL).
Meanwhile, American automakers are preparing for the inevitable. “What we’ve seen over time is automotive manufacturers eventually enter all the markets that matter,” Marin Gjaja, chief operating officer for Ford Model E, said in a recent interview with CNBC.
BYD Seagull (Dolphin Mini) interior (Source: BYD)
Ford is shifting plans to focus on smaller, more affordable EVs, including a compact electric pickup and SUV. According to sources, the first model is expected to launch in 2026, with a starting price of around $25,000.
Rival GM plans to introduce its next-gen Chevy Bolt EV, based on its Ultium platform, next year. According to CFO Paul Jacobson, the new Bolt EV will save billions as its first Ultium-based model to use LFP batteries. Ford also plans to use LFP batteries for its next-gen models to cut costs.
Electrek’s Take
American automakers are already losing market share. The “Big Three,” including Ford, GM, and Chrysler (owned by Stellantis now), have seen their share of the US market crater from 75% in 1984 to around 40% in 2023.
Ford’s CEO Jim Farley warned at a Wolfe Research conference last month that if automakers fail to keep up with Chinese automakers, like BYD, “then 20% to 30% of your revenue is at risk.”
Farley also called BYD’s new Seagull EV “pretty damn good,” as he warned the industry. Ford’s leader added, “As the CEO of a company that had trouble competing with the Japanese and the South Koreans, we have to fix this problem.”
The American automaker is developing a low-cost EV platform led by Alan Clarke, who previously oversaw engineering on Tesla’s Model Y.
Amid the shift to smaller EVs, Ford is reportedly putting off plans to launch a larger three-row electric SUV. Farley said building larger EVs, like the F-150 Lightning, is too costly.
Meanwhile, BYD launched a “liberation battle,” as it calls it, against gas-powered vehicles. The Chinese automaker has launched a series of low-cost EVs, including an updated version of its best-selling Dolphin.
BYD has a major advantage as it builds nearly all the components for its vehicles. For example, except for the windows and tires, everything is made in-house for the BYD Dolphin.
Reports suggest that BYD’s next-gen EV platform could slash costs even further, putting more pressure on American automakers to act.
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Fremont, California-based Delta Electronics just rolled out a sleek new 50kW DC Wallbox charger that’s designed for tight spaces at ACT Expo 2025.
This charger packs a punch in a surprisingly slim, 10-inch-thick, and lightweight (just 225 pounds!) casing that can be wall-mounted or set up on a pedestal. It’s specifically designed for tight spaces like urban parking lots, busy corporate campuses, or crowded fleet operation hubs.
Delta plans to manufacture these 50kW DC Wallbox chargers in Plano, Texas, keeping it local and supporting the rapid EV infrastructure growth across North America.
A 50 kW charger is at the low end of Level 3 fast charging speed, because you don’t always need to charge your car in 25 minutes. It’s the ideal charging speed for shopping, lunch, or seeing a film. Eng Taing, Delta’s senior VP and GM of energy & telecom Infrastructure, says, “Our focus is on seamlessly integrating high efficiency charging into the diverse scenarios of everyday life, including commercial operations, not just maximizing power output.”
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With a 97% efficiency rate, the Wallbox can juice up two EVs simultaneously using either CCS1 or NACS connectors. Plus, the 23-foot cable makes it easy to accommodate nearly any parking layout, eliminating headaches during installation.
Delta’s vertical integration approach means it handles everything from design to manufacturing. But it doesn’t stop at hardware; the charger also connects to Delta’s IoT platform, offering remote diagnostics, predictive maintenance, and over-the-air updates. That hopefully means fewer disruptions and smoother operations for fleet managers and EV users.
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More car buyers are hunting for used EVs – CarMax says searches filtered by “electric vehicle” have nearly doubled since January 2022.
CarMax saw EV searches surge in March 2022 and again in June 2024. The first spike lined up with the gas price shock after Russia invaded Ukraine, and the second came right as the Biden administration rolled out its $4,000 federal tax credit for used EVs.
The online used car marketplace’s Spring 2025 Electric Vehicle Consumer Report shows just how far used EV prices have tumbled, down over 40% between January 2022 and February 2025. By comparison, prices for gas cars, hybrids, and plug-in hybrids only slipped about 12% over the same period.
The top 10 most popular used EVs
For the third year running, the Tesla Model 3 and the Model Y were in the No. 1 and No. 2 slots, respectively, from September 1, 2024, to February 28, 2025. The Chevy Bolt jumped into third place from its previous spot at No. 7 in 2024 and 2023. The Ford F-150 Lightning (7) and the Rivian R1T (10) made the top 10 for the first time, while the Tesla Model S and the Audi e-tron dropped out. The Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Nissan Leaf were at Nos. 5 and 6, and the Volkswagen ID.4 (4), Nissan LEAF (6), and the Ford Mustang Mach-E (9) made the list for the third year in a row.
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What people are trading in
For the first time ever, more people are ditching sedans and coupes for EVs than SUVs. CarMax says sedans and coupes made up 44% of all EV trade-ins, up from 36% in 2024 and just 29% the year before. It’s a clear sign that the EV switch is picking up speed across more than just SUV drivers.
When customers traded in sedans for EVs during this report’s measurement period, the most common EVs they purchased were the Tesla Model 3, Tesla Model Y, and Chevy Bolt EUV.
The top traded-in model for an EV at CarMax was the Tesla Model 3, and those who traded in a Model 3 usually went for a Model Y. The rest of the top five include the Honda Civic and Accord, the Nissan LEAF, and the Toyota Prius. The Ford F-150 truck, the top trade-in alongside the Accord in the 2024 report, dropped off the list.
Where used EVs are most popular
Since this is CarMax’s report, it’s of course based on data sourced from its 250 stores across the US. In 2025, Oregon beat California to become the state with the highest percentage of EV sales compared to each state’s total sales at CarMax. California has previously held the top ranking since 2023.
The West Coast continued to dominate when it came to used EV sales. California and Washington were in second and third place, respectively. Nevada and Arizona were fourth and sixth, while Utah and New Mexico (new to the top 10 list this year) held spots five and seven. On the East Coast, New York (10) appeared on the list for a second time, dropping two spots from No. 8 in 2024.
The newcomers include Minnesota, which jumped 24 spots in a year to No. 8, and New Jersey, which moved up six slots to No. 9.
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Headlining today’s Green Deals is Heybike’s Mother’s Day Sale that is taking up to $500 off e-bikes on top of offering some additional free gear, with the brand’s Hauler Cargo e-bike getting brought down to a new $1,099 low, among others. We also have EcoFlow’s final flash offers that will be running for the duration of its Mega Sale through April 15, with notable returning low prices on the RIVER 2 Pro power station, a DELTA Pro 3 solar generator bundle, an EcoCredits purchase opportunity from $1, and more. You can prep for swimming season by grabbing Aiper’s latest Surfer S2 Solar Pool Skimmer while it’s back at its $320 low, as well as gear up for camping and storm cleanup needs with Greenworks’ second-generation 40V 12-inch Cordless Electric Chainsaw at $128. Plus, all the other hangover Green Deals are in the links at the bottom of the page, like yesterday’s exclusive $2,000 in savings on EcoFlow’s DELTA Pro Ultra station at a new low price, and more.
Heybike’s latest Hauler cargo e-bike with a 440-pound payload for up to 85 miles starts from new $1,099 low
Heybike is launching its Mother’s Day Sale through May 11 with up to $500 taken off initial e-bike prices while also offering free gear along with your purchase. Amongst the bunch, we spotted Heybike bringing its latest Hauler Cargo e-bike down to $1,099 shipped during this sale. Recently, it’s been carrying a full $1,499 price tag since the start of 2025, which we saw drop to $1,199 in February before staying at $1,399 in the sales since. Today’s deal, though, is coming in better than ever as a $400 markdown that takes things to a new all-time low price. You’ll also be getting the bonus of a large rear cargo basket that attaches to the rear rack. Head below for more.
A solid option for folks who are looking for an alternative for errand running over their car, the Heybike Hauler e-bike sports a 750W brushless geared hub motor that reaches a top speed of 28 MPH and can peak at 1,400W for inclines and better pick-up when hauling packages, groceries, and the like. There are two removable battery options here, depending on just how much travelling you plan to do, with a single 18Ah setup for up to 55 miles on a single charge with its PAS levels activated, or you can upgrade with an additional 12.5Ah battery at $300 more to increase its range up to 85 miles.
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Heybike’s Hauler e-bike sports a nice 440-pound payload capacity and even comes with foldable running boards if you end up hauling a passenger along too. And for the price right now, it also offers some solid stock features, like the hydraulic front suspension fork, front and rear hydraulic disc brakes, puncture-protected tires with fenders over each, a 7-speed Shimano derailleur, an LED headlight with an auto-on feature, an integrated taillight with braking functionality, a kickstand, the obvious rear cargo rack, and an LCD for your real-time data and setting controls.
EcoFlow launches multi-day flash offers on DELTA and RIVER power stations + EcoCredits purchase from $1
As we approach the end of EcoFlow’s ongoing Mega Sale through April 25, the brand has launched its last and longest flash sale offers, taking up to 48% off three units while also offering a major EcoCredits purchase opportunity. Alongside the return of the DELTA Pro 3 bundle we saw on Friday, you can now grab the RIVER 2 Pro Portable Power Station for $349 shipped. Normally fetching $599 outside of discounts, we first saw it come down to this rate during similar flash offers in the first phase of this sale. It’s returning as a second-chance opportunity for $250 in savings, giving you a solid traveling companion at the best rate we have tracked. It’s also beating out the pricing we’re seeing from Amazon by $10.
A more ample backup solution among the brand’s RIVER series, the RIVER 2 Pro is ideal for short-term needs at campsites, on road trips, and the like, providing you with a 768Wh LiFePO4 capacity to cover your essential devices and appliances. Through its eight output ports it can deliver up to 1,600W of power, with X-boost tech allowing it to “run 80% of home appliances.” It’s a great option for those who often make last-minute plans too, as plugging it into a wall outlet regains the battery in about 70 minutes, with it also having the options for USB-C and car port recharging, as well as a max 220W solar input, which can put it back at full in 3.5 hours to 4.5 hours in sunny conditions.
EcoFlow’s other flash sale offers ending April 25:
EcoFlow’s massive lineup of Mega Sale deals will only be lasting through April 25, complete with larger EcoCredit rewards, extra savings, and plenty of low prices – don’t miss it while it’s still around!
Keep floating debris out of your pool with Aiper’s Surfer S2 solar skimmer back at its $320 low
Through its official Amazon storefront, Aiper is offering its latest Surfer S2 Solar Pool Skimmer for $319.98 shipped. Only on the market for a few months now, it usually carries a $540 price tag, which we first saw drop to this same rate at the top of February, which repeated last month in Amazon’s Big Spring Sale, and has otherwise kept between $340 and $400. You can pick one up while the $220 in savings last for your pool at the lowest price we have tracked, with the price also matching direct from Aiper’s website.
Building upon the success of its predecessor, Aiper’s second-generation Surfer S2 pool skimmer has been upgraded with features like the DebrisGuard anti-leak design, an improved brushless motor, an expanded suction inlet, and a 150-micron filtration system – all to provide better performance when collecting small and large debris alike from your pool’s surface. It’s also been given a larger battery that ramps up its runtime to 35 hours, with recharging available through the onboard solar panel for sunny days or its DC adapter as a backup option.
Working alongside the brand’s algorithms, it’s been equipped with dual dToF sensors to improve its obstacle avoidance – plus, there are even four retractable anti-standing columns to keep it from getting stuck on pool steps as it works. Should the columns fail to impede any such situations, the programming here knows to use its automatic self-rescue capabilities to get it back into the water to continue on its routines. There are the usual smart controls through the companion app that you’d expect, allowing you to monitor and adjust settings with the added bonus of being able to manually steer it.
Be sure to also check out the ongoing discounts across Aiper’s robotic pool cleaners that work right alongside the above pool skimmer to keep your pool clear and swim-ready, as well as the first discount we’re seeing on the new HydroComm 24/7 Smart Pool Monitor that provides 5-in-1 testing for your pool’s pH, ORP, EC, TDS, and temperature, as well as coming solar-powered.
Expand your arsenal with this 2nd-gen Greenworks 40V 12-inch cordless chainsaw at $128
Amazon is offering the 2nd generation Greenworks 40V 12-inch Cordless Compact Chainsaw for $127.99 shipped. Coming down from its usual $170 price tag, discounts have been repeating to this same rate throughout the months since July of last year, with things before then only having gone as low as $120. Today’s deal is a 25% markdown off the going rate, saving you $42 while equipping your arsenal with the latest of the brand’s 12-inch compact chainsaws.
Coming in a more compact form, this 40V Greenworks chainsaw makes a reliable companion for firewood needs at home or while camping, as well as storm cleanup with hurricane season on the horizon. Powered by the included 2.0Ah battery, it sports a 12-inch bar and chain with an auto-oiler to ensure everything remains lubricated and running smoothly, delivering up to 50 cuts on a single charge. It weighs in at just six pounds, making it easy to operate for most users, complete with a safety lock and push-button start to save you time and energy over the frustrations caused by pull-strings.
The savings this week are also continuing to a collection of other markdowns. To the same tune as the offers above, these all help you take a more energy-conscious approach to your routine. Winter means you can lock in even better off-season price cuts on electric tools for the lawn while saving on EVs and tons of other gear.
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