The BYD Dolphin GS covers a distance of 400 km on a single charge on the trip to the south coast of SP

On June 28, 2023, the Brazilian automobile market suffered an unexpected blow, starting a real revolution in this sector. That was the day when BYD launched the Dolphin at an attractive price of R $ 149,800. Even then, a car the size of a dolphin cost at least more than 100,000 riyals.

In June, the Peugeot e-2008 GT was sold for R$259,990. Less than a month after the BYD Dolphin reached below R$150,000, Stellantis has reduced the price of the Peugeot 2008 electric car to R$209,990 – R$50,000 less! Just like Peugeot, other electric cars have seen sharp price drops. The “Dolphin Effect” has caused a general decline in EV prices and increased penetration.

What’s even more amazing is that exactly 29 months after Dolphin’s arrival, its entry price has risen to just SAR 190; It now costs R $ 149,990, which is still below the “psychological” range of 150 thousand. If for no other reason, the BYD Dolphin is expected to be the dominant electric vehicle in the next iteration. There are already 33,900 units in circulation in the country, a much higher number than its flagship follower, the Ora 03, which has 9,800 units.

For those who question this change in the beach landscape, when I went to look at electric vehicle charging infrastructure on the south coast of São Paulo, I left a Dolphin charging at an electric station on Posto Ipiranga de Intanhaem I (Avenida Rui Barbosa), and when I returned, there were two identical black Dolphin GS’s receiving power. This power station is one of the few fast stations on the southern coast of São Paulo (30 kW).

To give you an idea, the BYD Dolphin left São Paulo (Pinheiros) with a 98% battery charge, passed through Guaroya and then went to Itanheim. He has traveled 185 km and still has 63% of power. It therefore achieved approximately 12 km/kWh – an excellent figure that would give a total range of 529 km. But remember that on your way down, energy will be renewed. If less than 17 kilowatt hours are spent going down the mountain, on the same route, the ascent will be more.

With an increase in consumption of 10 kWh, even using 27 kWh, the total will be 44 kWh. But this is the worst case scenario.

Typically, a person carries out an itinerary point by point. So, even with Dolphin GS – the entry level – you can go back and forth from São Paulo to the south coast. On the other hand, even if the choice is to go to Peruíbe or take the route via Jequitiba, via BR-116, the R$150,000 Dolphin GS goes and returns from São Paulo to the southern coast on a single battery charge. Traveling 400 km is normal for this car.

For those traveling further afield, the ideal version within BYD is the Dolphin Plus, which has a 60.5 kWh battery and costs R$185,000. This of course applies to any car that has a larger or smaller battery option. But be careful because every car has a specific consumption. In the case of the BYD Dolphin, the engine power is 204 hp (150 kW). If the car is very powerful or heavy, consumption increases.

In fact, it’s worth making some comments about Dolphin Energy. The suspension continues with a comfortable adjustment, very soft, the charging power is excellent (60 kW in fast charging) and the interior space is surprising. And from what I saw at Itanheim, Dolphin is going to dominate the scene this summer, as far as electric vehicles are concerned. This is because people are starting to lose their fear of traveling in electric cars.

Those who use it frequently “understand” the car and completely lose the famous autonomy anxiety. Knowing how far your car travels in practice and knowing what fast chargers are on the way, the trip will be smooth. But, of course, you have to be careful on rainy days, because in these conditions the consumption of any electric vehicle increases significantly.

In the end, we found the BYD Dolphin’s on-board computer sign to be very reliable. So, all you have to do is have the itinerary in your memory and you can travel. From São Paulo to Beruipe, via BR-116, there are fast chargers at Miracato and Joquitipa. On the way via Immigrants and Anchieta, there are options in Praia Grande (two), Itanheim and Beruipi.

Recently, to celebrate Dolphin’s two-year history and the start of activities at the Camasari plant, in Bahia, BYD introduced important new features in the 2026 line for those who want to enter (or continue) in a 100% electric world:

• 50W induction cell phone charger;
• Electric adjustments on the driver’s seat.
• Electrically folding mirrors
• Depth adjustment and additional steering wheel height adjustments;
• Smart start;
• Windows with one touch function to go up and down.

See below a list of fast charging stations for those wishing to travel to the southern coast of São Paulo, either via the Anchieta-Igratignes system or BR-116 (Régis Bittencourt).

Big beach

Lady Amparo Bakery

• street. Wild. Kennedy, 6514 – Ossian City
• Tel: 13 99165-1051
• Price: 2.50 Brazilian real
• Application: Wimp

Ipiranga Busto Chixova from Solarmar

• The first solar power station in Baixada Santista with fast charging – 24 hours
• street. Ayrton Senna 500
• 30 kW DC price: R$2.67
• 22 kW AC price: R$ 2.00
• Application: Wimp

Eitanheim

Ipiranga auto posto itanheim

• Avenida Ruy Barbosa, 419
• Price: 2.49 Brazilian reais
• Intelbras Fleet Pro 30 kW
• Application: Intelbras CV

Peru

Solarmar Solar Energy

• street. Luciano di Bona, 4331 – Tres Marias
• Phone: 1399651-2018
• Price of 22 kW AC: R$1.65
• Price: 30 kW DC: R$ 2.40
• Monday to Friday from 7 am to 5 pm
• Monday to Friday from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM
• After this time and weekends by appointment only.
• Telephones: 13 99634-8390 and 13 99651-2018

Miracato

wig | Farmer

• a stick. Regis Bettencourt, 385 – Pedro Barros
• Tel: 13 99642-1846
• Price 30 kW DC: R$2.20
• Price of 22 kW AC: R$1.60
• Open 24×7
• Application: Wemob EV Drivers

Jokitiba

Alliance Power Solutions charging station – Posto Juquitiba

• Eloy Jose Pinachin website
• Phone: 800 020 2871
• Payment is required
• Price: 2.40 Brazilian real
• Open 24×7