Key Takeaways
- BYD has opened pre-orders for a larger, more advanced Seagull, expected to reach export markets as a Dolphin Surf or Dolphin Mini variant.
- The current Seagull starts at 69,900 yuan (about $10,000); a LiDAR God's Eye B version is reported from 90,900 yuan.
- No Nepal launch date or price is confirmed, and import duties will decide the final price.
- Nepal's cheapest EVs today are four-seat microcars from Rs. 16,49,000 (Seres E1 Mid) to Rs. 19,95,000 (Henrey Mincar).
- Home charging a 17.3 kWh pack costs about Rs. 173-208, so small EVs stay very cheap to run.
BYD has opened pre-orders for a larger, more advanced Seagull, the next step for the electric hatchback that put a roughly $10,000 price tag on a real EV in China. The new car is a bigger sibling to the current model. It is expected to carry a small premium, and BYD is likely to bring it to export markets later as a Dolphin Surf or Dolphin Mini variant. For Nepali buyers the important question is when it arrives and what it will cost after import duties.
The current Seagull starts at 69,900 yuan in China, about $10,000. The larger version adds body size, power and technology. A LiDAR-equipped "God's Eye B" version is reported to start at 90,900 yuan (about $13,410) and supports urban navigation-assisted driving. BYD is also reported to be moving its naming toward a "Great" prefix, in line with the Great Tang SUV and Great Han sedan.
BYD has not confirmed a Nepal launch or Nepal pricing. Even so, the car matters here. Our entry-level EV segment is made up of small four-seat city cars, and a roomier, better-equipped BYD hatchback at a low price could change that segment. Below we look at what is known, what is still uncertain, and how the EVs on sale in Nepal today compare.
Key Highlights
- Pre-orders are open for a larger Seagull. It is a bigger, more powerful and more advanced version of BYD's cheapest EV.
- The current Seagull starts at 69,900 yuan (about $10,000) in China.
- The LiDAR-equipped God's Eye B version is reported from 90,900 yuan (about $13,410).
- Spy shots show slim LED headlights, a closed-off grille, sharper body lines and a roof-mounted LiDAR on higher trims.
- Export versions are expected to be sold as a Dolphin Surf or Dolphin Mini variant. That is why "BYD Seagull" and "BYD Dolphin Surf" are often used for the same family of cars.
- The European Dolphin Surf sells for about €22,900. That price reflects European costs and taxes, not Nepal's.
- No official Nepal launch date or price has been announced.
- Today's cheapest EVs in Nepal are four-seat microcars priced between Rs. 16,49,000 and Rs. 19,95,000.
Detailed Analysis
What is actually new on the larger Seagull
The first Seagull was a small A0-segment city hatchback. It was built to hit a price, and it did. The new car is longer and wider, which should help rear-seat room and boot space, the two areas where tiny EVs lose buyers.
Three changes stand out:
- Body size. A larger body should make it a proper four-to-five-seat family hatchback instead of a pure city runabout.
- Power. BYD describes it as more powerful than the current car. A stronger motor matters in Nepal, where a small EV on a steep Kathmandu to Pokhara or Dhading climb needs real torque.
- Driver assistance. The optional roof LiDAR and urban navigation-assisted driving are features that were not available at this price point until recently.
It is still unclear whether every trim gets the larger battery and the driver assistance. Top trims usually get the new hardware first, and base trims often keep the simpler setup. When specifications are confirmed, check the equivalent variant, base against base and top against top, before comparing it with any other car.
Seagull, Dolphin Surf and Dolphin Mini: one family, several names
BYD sells the same basic car under different names in different markets. Reports suggest the larger Seagull will follow the same path overseas. Treat the table below as a guide to naming, not a specification list.
| Name | Where you will see it | What it means for buyers |
|---|---|---|
| Seagull | China | Original home market name and the model that is being enlarged |
| Dolphin Surf | Europe and several export markets | Export name for the Seagull family |
| Dolphin Mini | Latin America and other export markets | Another export name for the same car |
If you search for either keyword in Nepal, you will probably end up at the same car. Ask the dealer for the exact model code and battery size before paying a deposit.
What the market looks like in Nepal today
BYD's Nepal range is already well established. The Dolphin is the brand's popular hatchback, and the Atto 3 sits above it. The Dolphin was most recently listed at around Rs. 41,15,000 in 2026 dealer listings, although earlier launch coverage gave a lower starting price. Figures differ between sources, so always confirm the latest price with the authorized distributor.
The cars that sit in the budget bracket where a larger Seagull could land are small four-seat microcars. Here is how they compare.
| Model | Price | Battery | Claimed range | Motor power |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| MG Comet Pace | Rs. 18,75,000 | 17.3 kWh | 230 km | 31.3 kW |
| Henrey Mincar | Rs. 19,95,000 | 16.5 kWh | 205 km | 35 kW |
These cars share some traits. They seat four, have batteries of 13.8 kWh to 17.3 kWh, and top out at about 100 km/h. The Seres E1 Mid is the cheapest at Rs. 16,49,000. The MG Comet Pace is the most equipped of the group, with 33 listed features, including dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, rear parking sensors, TPMS and ISOFIX anchors.
The weak spot for all of them is the highway. None offers DC fast charging, and each is limited to 3.3 kW AC charging. A larger Seagull with a bigger battery and faster charging would be a very different proposition for anyone who drives outside the Valley.
Pro tip: Claimed ranges in this class use different test cycles (CLTC, ARAI, NEDC). The numbers are not directly comparable. Expect real-world range on Nepali hills to fall noticeably below the claim, especially with the AC on.
Running cost: small EVs are cheap to charge
Charging economics are where small EVs shine. At the home NEA rate of roughly Rs. 10-12 per kWh, filling a 17.3 kWh pack like the MG Comet Pace's costs about Rs. 173-208. At a public NEA station (Rs. 6-10.5 per kWh) it costs even less. A typical running cost of about Rs. 0.70 per km for cars works out to roughly Rs. 1,000-2,000 a month for a 30-40 km daily commute.
A larger Seagull with a bigger battery would cost more per full charge, but the per-kilometre figure should stay close to this range.
Competition from other Chinese newcomers
BYD would not be alone in the compact segment. The Geely EX2 is a recent small-EV entrant on our database. It has a 40.16 kWh LFP battery, a claimed 410 km CLTC range, an 85 kW motor and DC fast charging (30-80% in about 25 minutes at 70 kW). The Deepal S03 is another compact entrant, with a 40 kWh LFP battery, 405 km CLTC range and a 120 kW motor. Neither has a Nepal price listed yet.
The following table compares the specifications of the two.
| Model | Battery | Claimed range | Motor power | Top speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geely EX2 | 40.16 kWh | 410 km | 85 kW | 130 km/h |
| Deepal S03 | 40 kWh | 405 km | 120 kW | {{vehicle:deepal-s03:topSpeed}} |
These cars show where the bar is moving. Buyers will increasingly expect around 400 km of claimed range and fast charging in a compact EV, not just a tiny commuter pack.
Impact on Nepal EV Market
For buyers. If BYD brings the larger Seagull to Nepal, it could fill the gap between the four-seat microcars (Rs. 16,49,000 to Rs. 19,95,000) and the Dolphin, which sits above Rs. 40 lakh. A car in the middle, with real rear-seat space and fast charging, would appeal to first-time EV buyers and families moving up from a petrol hatchback.
For microcar sellers. Tiny four-seaters are cheap but compromised. A properly sized BYD at a competitive price would pressure the Seres, MG Comet and Henrey models to cut prices or add equipment. The Seres E1 Mid has already moved between Rs. 16,49,000 and Rs. 17,49,000, so pricing in this class is fluid.
For BYD's own range. A cheaper, larger hatchback below the Dolphin could take sales from it. BYD's Nepal distributor will have to position the models carefully.
For the used market. More new small EVs will eventually lower prices of older, short-range models. Check Used EVs before buying a car you may resell.
The duty question. Nepal's import duty structure decides whether a $10,000 to $13,000 Chinese car stays cheap by the time it reaches a showroom. Duties, excise and VAT can multiply the factory price several times over. China's yuan price tells you very little about the Nepal price, so do not budget from it.
What to Expect Next
- Near term: Pre-orders in China will show how much demand there is for a bigger Seagull. Reports point to a China launch by the end of 2026.
- Early 2027: Full specifications, including battery sizes, range and charging speeds, should be confirmed alongside the launch.
- After the China launch: BYD is expected to export the car as a Dolphin Surf or Dolphin Mini variant. Overseas pricing has not been announced.
- Nepal: A local launch would depend on the authorized distributor, homologation and the duty regime. We have no confirmed date. We will update this page when the distributor announces anything.
If you are buying in the next few months, do not wait on a car that has no Nepal date. The EVs listed above are available now, and you can compare them side by side with our Compare EVs tool.
Explore All EVs Available in Nepal
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the new BYD Seagull?
A: It is a larger, more powerful and more technologically advanced version of BYD's cheapest EV, the Seagull. The current car starts at 69,900 yuan (about $10,000) in China. The new one is expected to cost slightly more, and a LiDAR-equipped version is reported from 90,900 yuan.
Q: Is the BYD Seagull the same as the BYD Dolphin Surf?
A: They are closely related. BYD sells the Seagull family under different names in different markets, and the larger Seagull is expected to reach export markets as a Dolphin Surf or Dolphin Mini variant. Always check the exact model and battery size with the dealer.
Q: Will the BYD Seagull launch in Nepal and what will it cost?
A: There is no official Nepal launch date or price yet. The final price will depend on import duties and the distributor's positioning, so the China price is not a reliable guide. For comparison, the cheapest EVs on sale in Nepal today, such as the Seres E1 Mid, start at Rs. 16,49,000.
Q: What are the cheapest EVs I can buy in Nepal right now?
A: The Seres E1 Mid is listed at Rs. 16,49,000, the Seres E1 Top at Rs. 17,99,000, the MG Comet Pace at Rs. 18,75,000, and the Henrey Mincar at Rs. 19,95,000. All are four-seaters with claimed ranges of 180 to 230 km and a top speed of about 100 km/h.
Q: How much does it cost to charge a small EV in Nepal?
A: Charging a 17.3 kWh battery, like the MG Comet Pace's, costs about Rs. 173-208 at home on the NEA domestic rate of roughly Rs. 10-12 per kWh. Typical daily commuting of 30-40 km costs about Rs. 1,000-2,000 a month.
