BYD Seagull back in contention with sub-$30K price tag

The pint-sized BYD Seagull could soon become one of Australia’s most affordable electric vehicles, with the brand now in the final stages of evaluating a local business case.

Previously dismissed by former distributor EVDirect, the compact EV is now firmly “back on the table” – looks like the Seagull wasn’t grounded after all – and is preparing for take-off as BYD reshapes its local strategy.

Speaking with carsales at a recent media event in China, BYD Australia’s Head of Product, Sajid Hasan, confirmed the Seagull is under active review for the local market, though not yet officially locked in.

“We’re in the final stages of the business case,” Hasan said. “We still can’t confirm it just yet because it needs to hit the right price point… [but] it’s very possible that we will be bringing it in, and if it does come, then the price will start with a two.”

That would likely position the Seagull in the $25,000 to $29,990 range – directly targeting entry-level internal-combustion rivals like the MG3 and Kia Picanto, allowing it to undercut rivals and peck away at the entry-level market.

Built on BYD’s latest EV platform, the 2025 Seagull will offer two battery options: a 30-kilowatt-hour lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack with a claimed 305km of range, and a 38.88kWh LFP Blade Battery version offering up to 405km.

It’s powered by a 55kW front-mounted electric motor and supports DC fast charging up to 40kW. Acceleration from 0-100km/h is quoted at 14.9 seconds.

The Seagull is strictly a four-seater – unlike the slightly larger BYD Dolphin – and is pitched as an agile, urban runabout.

“There’s differences in their battery size, electric range, and physical dimensions,” said Hasan. “The Dolphin will have model-year updates and a new generation not too distant in the future.”

If approved, the Seagull is expected to arrive in late 2025 or early 2026. When it will nest neatly beneath the Dolphin. BYD’s growing portfolio already includes the Seal, Sealion 6, Sealion 7, Shark 6, and the upcoming Atto 2.

A sub-$30K EV could help BYD further cement its position as a value-driven electric brand in Australia. The Seagull’s renewed prospects come as part of a broader shift that includes the premium Denza brand’s arrival later this year and a potential launch of the wild Yangwang U8 luxury SUV. With quirky styling, accessible pricing, and solid specs, the BYD Seagull could soon become a high-flyer in the entry-level EV space.

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