Updated
BYD Dolphin Surf price, and what it costs a month.
From R341 900, or about R5 976 a month. Add a solar system that charges it in your driveway, and the whole lot is from R8 306 a month.
Dolphin Surf
Comfort
R341 900
About R5 976 a month
- Battery
- 30 kWh
- Range
- 232 km
- Fast charge
- 30 kW
The entry car. Same 55 kW motor, smaller battery.
Dolphin Surf
Dynamic
R395 900
About R6 920 a month
- Battery
- 38.8 kWh
- Range
- 295 km
- Fast charge
- 40 kW
Bigger battery, faster charging, electric driver’s seat, wireless phone charging.
List prices from TopAuto, 17 October 2026, before on-the-road costs and dealer deals. Both include a 3-year/100 000 km warranty and a 3-year/60 000 km service plan. Monthly figures: 10% deposit, 72 months at 11.75%, no balloon. Range is BYD’s WLTP claim.
The Dolphin Surf with solar, on one monthly price.
- Dolphin Surf Comfort, 10% deposit (R34 190)
- R5 976
- Home solar, R120 000 installed, no deposit
- R2 330
- One monthly price
- R8 306
The solar is about 7 kWp of panels, an 8 kW hybrid inverter, a 5 kWh backup battery for power cuts and a smart charger that only uses spare sun. It replaces roughly R3 403 a month of petrol for 1 500 km.
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Who the Dolphin Surf suits.
It is a small, nippy five-door made for town. The 232 km Comfort is enough for most weeks of school runs, shopping and visits, and it is perfect as the second car that is home by lunchtime, exactly when the panels are making the most power. If you regularly drive Durban to Joburg, look at a bigger battery. Still deciding? See the five cheapest EVs in South Africa or the Geely E2.
Quick answers
How much is the BYD Dolphin Surf in South Africa?+
From R341 900 for the Comfort and R395 900 for the Dynamic (October 2026 list prices, before on-the-road costs and dealer deals).
What is the BYD Dolphin Surf monthly payment?+
About R5 976 a month for the Comfort and R6 920 for the Dynamic, with a 10% deposit over 72 months at 11.75% (prime plus one) and no balloon. Your bank sets your actual rate.
What is the BYD Dolphin Surf range?+
A claimed 232 km (WLTP) for the Comfort with its 30 kWh battery, and 295 km for the Dynamic with 38.8 kWh. Plenty for the school run, shopping and town driving.
Can I charge a Dolphin Surf with solar panels?+
Yes, if the car is home during the day. About 7 kWp of panels with a smart charger puts roughly 15 kWh into the car between 10am and 2pm. That is about half a Comfort battery, or around 100 km of town driving, from the sun.
What does the Dolphin Surf cost with home solar?+
From R8 306 a month for the Comfort plus a R120 000 solar system (about 7 kWp of panels, 8 kW inverter, 5 kWh backup battery and smart charger), both over 72 months. The solar part is about R2 330 a month and replaces roughly R3 403 a month of petrol for 1 500 km of driving.