BYD launches pre-orders for the new Seagull, a larger version of its popular $10K EV

This is car news, not a home energy upgrade story, but here's what's happening. BYD, the Chinese automaker, has opened pre-orders for a new, larger version of its Seagull electric car, one of the cheapest EVs in the world. The current Seagull sells for about $10,000 in China and is marketed overseas as the Dolphin Surf or Dolphin Mini, with European prices starting around $25,000. It's been one of the best-selling EVs globally.

The new version is bigger in every dimension, with more rear legroom, a stronger motor, a larger infotainment screen, and added comfort features like massaging front seats. BYD hasn't released pricing yet, which is normal practice in China when a car first opens for pre-order. The company has said the new model will launch by the end of 2026, and a larger version is expected to eventually reach overseas markets as an updated Dolphin Surf or Dolphin Mini.

None of this is available in the United States, since BYD does not sell passenger vehicles there. For American homeowners weighing an EV purchase alongside other energy upgrades like solar panels or a heat pump, this news does not change what's on the market at home. It's worth watching mainly as a sign of how fast affordable EV options are expanding elsewhere, which could eventually shape pricing and competition even for vehicles sold in the US.