BYD’s $10,000 EV has a big sibling on the way, and here’s our first look [Images]

This is car news, not home energy news, but here's what's happening. BYD, the Chinese automaker, is preparing a bigger, more powerful version of its cheap electric hatchback, the Seagull. The current Seagull sells for about $10,000 in China and is one of the best-selling EVs in the world, known overseas as the Dolphin Surf or Dolphin Mini. The new version, called the Great Seagull, will be noticeably larger and use a stronger electric motor, roughly 30 percent more power than the current model.

The updated car is expected to include BYD's newer battery and fast-charging technology, letting it charge from 10 to 70 percent in about five minutes, plus a roof-mounted sensor tied to BYD's driver-assistance system. It's set to go on sale in China by the end of 2026. BYD hasn't confirmed an overseas launch yet, but if the larger model comes to Europe as an upgraded Dolphin Surf or Mini, it would likely cost a bit more than the current European starting price of about $26,500, while still staying under roughly $35,000.

None of this is available in the United States, and there's no word yet on a US release. For homeowners thinking about EV charging setups or rebates tied to buying an electric vehicle, this is mainly a preview of what's coming to overseas markets rather than something that affects US buying decisions right now.