Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD said its sales growth in the United Kingdom will not be hindered by the country’s new Electric Car Grant (ECG), despite being excluded from the subsidy scheme aimed at encouraging buyers to switch to EVs.
The ECG offers up to £3,750 ($5,000) off the price of a new EV, depending on the sustainability of its manufacturing process. Chinese brands, including BYD, were excluded under the rules that consider energy use in production.
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Stella Li, BYD’s executive vice president, told Autocar that the grant was “not fair to consumers” as it left out Chinese automakers, but insisted the company remained confident. “Being excluded from the grant won’t slow our rapid EV sales growth in the UK,” she said.
In response, BYD introduced its own savings program, offering five years of free maintenance on new models such as the Dolphin Surf, Dolphin and Atto 3. Approved used vehicles are also eligible. The automaker also extended its battery warranty to eight years or 200,000 km (155,342 miles), a move that applies retroactively to past buyers.
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“We understand that customers are looking for more than just savings upfront – they want lasting value and assurance,” Steve Beattie, BYD UK’s sales chief, told Autocar. “While we may not currently be part of the Electric Car Grant, we didn’t want to wait to show our commitment.”
BYD is rolling out a series of new models to cover nearly all segments, from entry-level cars to luxury vehicles. The Dolphin Surf, its cheapest EV in the UK, is priced at £18,650 ($25,000), making it one of the country’s most affordable electric cars even without the grant.
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According to Autocar, the Dolphin Surf ranks as the fifth cheapest EV in the UK, behind the Citroën Ami, Leapmotor T03, Dacia Spring and Micro Microlino. It is priced below the Hyundai Inster and Ford Puma-e.
