Key Takeaways
- The next-generation BYD Seagull grows to 4,205 mm, up from about 3,780 mm.
- A 95 kW motor replaces the current 55 kW unit, with LiDAR reportedly on offer.
- Seagull, Dolphin Mini and Dolphin Surf are the same car sold under different names.
- No Nepal price or launch date is confirmed; the MG Comet Pace at Rs. 18,75,000 is the cheapest EV on sale.
- Home charging a small EV costs about Rs. 170 to 210, so running costs stay low.
BYD's cheapest EV, the Seagull (sold as the Dolphin Mini in many markets and the Dolphin Surf in Europe), is getting a bigger body, a stronger motor and a more tech-heavy cabin. The next-generation car, reported as the "Great Seagull", is expected to go on sale in China by the end of 2026. It grows from about 3,780 mm to 4,205 mm in length and moves from a 55 kW motor to a 95 kW unit.
This matters for Nepal because the Seagull family is the benchmark for cheap, practical city EVs. Nepal's sub-Rs. 20 lakh segment is currently made up of tiny four-seaters, so a larger, more powerful BYD at the entry level would change what buyers expect for their money.
BYD has not announced a Nepal price or launch date for the new generation, and it is not in our database yet. This guide covers what is confirmed, what the current small EVs on sale in Nepal offer, and how to plan if you are waiting for a Seagull-style car.
Key Highlights
- Bigger body: length rises from roughly 3,780 mm to 4,205 mm, moving the car from micro-hatch toward a proper small hatchback.
- More power: a 95 kW (127 hp) motor replaces the current 55 kW (75 hp) unit.
- More storage: BYD has shown a 94 L front trunk and up to 1,380 L of total cargo space.
- Tech upgrade: a larger central screen with physical buttons below it, and spy images show a roof-mounted LiDAR for BYD's driver-assist suite.
- Current 2026 refresh: the existing model already has a 60 kW motor and a high-spec range raised from 405 km to 505 km (Chinese test cycle).
- Timing: sale in China is expected by the end of 2026. Nepal availability is not confirmed.
- Nepal rivals today: the cheapest EV on sale is the MG Comet Pace at Rs. 18,75,000.
Detailed Analysis
What is changing on the Seagull
The current Seagull is a tiny city car. The new one steps up in size, power and equipment. The table below shows the changes reported so far.
| Area | Current Seagull | Next-gen "Great Seagull" |
|---|---|---|
| Length | about 3,780 mm | 4,205 mm |
| Motor | 55 kW | 95 kW |
| Front trunk | None | 94 L |
| Max cargo space | Limited | up to 1,380 L |
| Driver assistance | Basic | Optional LiDAR (reported) |
| Display | Rotating centre screen | Larger single screen with physical buttons |
A 4,205 mm body puts the car near the length of many small Indian-market hatchbacks. That is a real class jump from the micro-EVs that dominate Nepal's cheapest EV list.
The names are confusing, so here is the key
- Seagull: the China-market name.
- Dolphin Mini: the name used in Latin America and several other export markets.
- Dolphin Surf: the name used in Europe and the UK.
They are the same basic car with different batteries and trims. When you search for a price in Nepal, check which name the dealer is using and which battery size the car has.
What owners say about range
Owner and reviewer feedback on the existing car is consistent. In hot weather with the air conditioning on, owners of the larger-battery Seagull report roughly 200 to 230 km in real driving. In milder weather they report around 250 to 300 km. Reviews of the European Dolphin Surf say the official figure is achievable in mixed driving, but summer motorway use brings it down noticeably.
Pro tip: Treat any official range figure as a ceiling. For Nepal's hilly roads, plan on 65 to 75 percent of the claimed figure when you are climbing out of Kathmandu valley or driving at speed on the highway.
How today's small EVs in Nepal compare
Until a Seagull-style car arrives, these are the small EVs in our database. Use the same-tier comparison below, since they are all entry-level city cars.
| Model | Price | Battery | Range | Motor power |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MG Comet Pace | Rs. 18,75,000 | 17.3 kWh | 230 km | 31.3 kW |
| Seres E1 Mid | Rs. 16,49,000 | 13.8 kWh | 180 km | 25 kW |
| Seres E1 Top | Rs. 17,99,000 | 16.8 kWh | 220 km | 30 kW |
| Henrey Mincar | Rs. 19,95,000 | 16.5 kWh | 205 km | 35 kW |
These are all four-seaters with batteries between 13.8 kWh and 17.3 kWh and top speeds of 100 km/h. The Seagull's reported 95 kW motor is roughly three times as powerful as the 31.3 kW in the Comet Pace.
Why the size jump matters for the segment
The four cars above are fine for short urban trips but are cramped for families and have limited highway ability. Two of them, the Seres E1 and Comet Pace, are 2-door or very short bodies with boot space and seating that suit one or two people best. A 4,205 mm car with a front trunk and up to 1,380 L of cargo space targets a different buyer: someone who wants one car for office, school run and the occasional trip out of the valley.
Impact on Nepal EV Market
For buyers
If you are choosing in the Rs. 16 to 20 lakh bracket today, you are buying a city-only car. A larger Seagull would likely be priced above this bracket in Nepal, because of its size, power and equipment, and because of import taxes. We cannot give a number until BYD and its Nepal dealer confirm one.
Nepal's tax structure matters here. Duties have changed repeatedly in recent budgets, and the structure favours lower-power motors, with different slabs for EVs up to 50 kW and those between 51 and 100 kW. A 95 kW motor would fall in the higher slab, which could add meaningfully to the landed price compared with today's small cars. Check the current fiscal-year rates before you commit to waiting.
For dealers
BYD is already well established in Nepal with larger models. A compact, cheap model would fill the gap at the bottom of its range and compete directly with the Comet Pace and Seres E1. The risk is that the price rises above buyers' expectations once duties are applied.
For the broader market
The Chinese 40 kWh class of small cars is already arriving. Two cars in our database sit above the micro-EV tier: the Geely EX2 and the Deepal S03. Their key figures are below. Neither has a confirmed Nepal price in our database yet.
| Model | Battery | Range | Motor power |
|---|---|---|---|
| Geely EX2 | 40.16 kWh | 410 km | 85 kW |
| Deepal S03 | 40 kWh | 405 km | 120 kW |
These larger-battery cars, along with a bigger Seagull, show where the entry level is heading: more range, more power and more safety technology than the current micro-EVs.
Running costs
Small EVs are cheap to run in Nepal. A car with a 17.3 kWh battery, such as the Comet Pace, costs about Rs. 170 to 210 for a full home charge at NEA's domestic rate of roughly Rs. 10 to 12 per kWh. At a public fast charger at Rs. 15 to 20 per kWh, a full charge costs roughly Rs. 260 to 345. For a 30 to 40 km daily commute, the typical monthly electricity bill is about Rs. 1,000 to 2,000. A bigger battery in a larger car would raise the cost of a full charge, but the cost per km would stay low.
What to Expect Next
- Late 2026: the next-generation Seagull is expected to go on sale in China.
- Early to mid 2027: export versions as Dolphin Mini or Dolphin Surf variants are the next likely step, though BYD has not confirmed a schedule.
- Nepal: a launch would depend on the BYD dealer's plans and on the import tax structure for the fiscal year. We will add the model to our database as soon as official specs and a price are available.
In the meantime, if your budget is tight, compare current options and look at the used EV market for slightly older, larger cars at a similar price.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is the BYD Seagull the same as the Dolphin Mini and Dolphin Surf?
A: Yes, they are essentially the same small BYD hatchback sold under different names. Seagull is the China name, Dolphin Mini is used in several export markets and Dolphin Surf is used in Europe. Battery sizes and trim levels vary by market, so always check the exact specification before comparing prices.
Q: How much bigger is the new BYD Seagull?
A: The next-generation car is reported to be about 4,205 mm long, compared with roughly 3,780 mm for the current model. It also gets a 95 kW motor in place of the current 55 kW unit, a 94 L front trunk and up to 1,380 L of cargo space.
Q: Is the BYD Seagull available in Nepal?
A: Not yet. We have no confirmed Nepal price or launch date for any Seagull, Dolphin Mini or Dolphin Surf. The cheapest EV on sale in Nepal in our database is the MG Comet Pace at Rs. 18,75,000. Check our Compare EVs page for updates.
Q: How much does it cost to charge a small EV in Nepal?
A: A small battery of about 17 kWh costs roughly Rs. 170 to 210 at home using NEA's domestic rate of around Rs. 10 to 12 per kWh. At a private fast charger at Rs. 15 to 20 per kWh, expect roughly Rs. 260 to 345 for a full charge. Home charging takes about 6 to 10 hours.
Q: Should I wait for the new Seagull or buy a small EV now?
A: Buy now if you only need a city commuter and a car in the Rs. 16 to 20 lakh range suits you. Wait if you want a bigger cabin, more power and more range, but be aware that no Nepal price is confirmed and the higher motor power could attract higher import duties.
