BYD Seagull: characteristics of a budget electric car for the city

If you've been thinking about buying an electric car for a long time, but weren't ready to pay a lot of money for a big name brand, then the option from China may pleasantly surprise you. The BYD Seagull looks like a small, almost toy car, but it is actually a serious player in the affordable electric car segment. In this article, we will analyse what this car really is, what is interesting about it, and for whom it will be a good choice.

We remind you that you can purchase home and commercial charging stations in our online storeand also use the public charging stations ECOFACTORcharging points located throughout Ukraine. For convenient access to charging infrastructure, we recommend using our mobile applicationwhich is available on iOS and Android.

What is BYD Seagull and why is it so much talked about

The Seagull is a compact electric hatchback from BYD, a Chinese company specialising in electric vehicles. It was first introduced in 2023, and it was immediately clear that this was not just another model for the Chinese domestic market. The Seagull is built on the e-Platform 3.0 platform, which is already used in other electric vehicles of the company. The car is focused on the city: short, agile, easy to drive and economical. And most importantly, it is really affordable.

Body and dimensions: compact with comfort

The vehicle is 3780 mm long, 1715 mm wide and 1540 mm high. The wheelbase is 2500 mm. These are quite modest dimensions, which are ideal for a cramped urban environment. The car easily fits into parking spaces, holds the road well and does not cause difficulties in traffic. Depending on the version, the weight ranges from 1160 to 1240 kg. The trunk is quite spacious - about 900 litres when unfolded, which is not so small for a hatchback.

Electric motor and power

The BYD Seagull is equipped with a 75 hp (55 kW) permanent magnet synchronous electric motor with a maximum torque of 135 Nm. The machine is front-wheel drive, with one electric motor. The top speed is 130 km/h. This is not a sports car, but it is quite enough for city and suburban driving.

Battery and range

There are several variants of the Seagull, which differ in the battery:

• The base version with a 30.08 kWh battery provides a range of up to 305 km (CLTC)
• The advanced version with a 38.88 kWh battery allows you to travel up to 405 km on a single charge

Both models support fast DC charging of up to 40 kW, so you can charge the battery from 30 to 80% in about 30 minutes. And from a home wall outlet or household charging station (AC), the process takes about 6 hours.

Platform and construction

The car is built on the modern BYD e-Platform 3.0 platform. This is a modular framework that allows the production of various types of electric cars with a common approach to safety, handling, energy efficiency and optimal use of interior space. The body is a five-door, four-seater with a monocoque structure.

Chassis and suspension

The front suspension is independent McPherson type, the rear is a torsion beam. This solution is simple, reliable and well suited for budget city cars. The braking system is equipped with ventilated discs at the front and rear, with an electric parking brake.

Safety: not just about belts

Seagull has a set of basic security systems:

• 4 airbags (front and curtain)
• ABS, EBD, ESC, TCS
• Tyre pressure monitoring system:
• ISOFIX mounts

In the older versions (for example, Fly), systems such as lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and other ADAS functions are added. But this is not included in the base, which is fair given the price.

Driving and energy management modes

The BYD Seagull has several basic driving modes that can be switched depending on your driving style. Most often, these are standard and economy modes. There is no sport mode, and this car doesn't need it. In the city, most drivers will choose the economy mode, which softens the accelerator response and reduces energy consumption.

The car also has a braking energy recovery system (KERS). It allows you to return some of the energy to the battery when you slow down, which slightly extends the range. How strongly the recovery works can be adjusted manually, but there are few available levels - the system is simplified, without frills.

Driver assistance systems (ADAS)

Seagull's basic equipment is safety-oriented, but without any sophisticated electronic "assistants". Everything is standard here: ABS, ESC, traction control, airbags. However, older versions (e.g. Fly) also have active safety features.

What exactly is in the advanced modifications:

• LDW (Lane Departure Warning)The system warns the driver if the car starts to move out of the lane without a direction indicator.
• AEB (Autonomous Emergency Braking)Automatic emergency braking when an obstacle is detected ahead.
• FCW (Forward Collision Warning): warns of a possible collision with a car or pedestrian.
• TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System): constant monitoring of tyre pressure.
• Reversing camera and parking sensors: standard in all versions.

The Seagull Fly is equipped with a set of 10 cameras, 12 ultrasonic sensors, a one-millimetre radar and even a lidar. This allows the car to accurately recognise the situation around it and assist the driver at critical moments. However, automatic parking, adaptive cruise control or lane keeping have not yet been implemented - this is still a budget model.

Interior: simple but modern

Inside, Seagull looks restrained but not primitive. All versions have a 10.1-inch central display with the proprietary DiLink OS, OTA updates, Bluetooth and voice control. The dashboard is digital, with a 7-inch screen. The steering wheel has multimedia functions. Seat trim is artificial leather, front seats are heated and ventilated (in higher trims).

Convenient features that are not often found in public sector employees:

• Keyless access and start-up
• NFC key in your smartphone
• Remote start from the app
• Electrically adjustable heated mirrors
• Rear view camera

Climate control is simple, with no rear passenger area, but there is air filtration and standard air conditioning.

Lighting and visibility

The basic version has halogen headlights, while the more expensive versions have fully LED headlights with automatic switching on. There are no fog lights or adaptive lighting. The windows lift automatically, with a crush protection function.

Charging infrastructure and interoperability

BYD Seagull supports both DC and AC charging, which allows you to use both household charging stations and high-speed DC chargers. The maximum fast charging power is 40 kW. It's not a record, but it's enough to top up the 50-60% in half an hour.

The type of connector depends on the market. China uses its own GB/T standard, but the export version (if it becomes available) will most likely have a CCS Combo 2 connector, which is compatible with most Ukrainian charging stations.

This is important, because the standard of the connector determines whether you can charge your car in a public network without adapters. At home, Seagull can be charged via a regular outlet or a Type 2 AC station (using an adapter).

ECOFACTOR charging solutions for electric cars like the BYD Seagull

At ECOFACTOR, we are working to ensure that electric vehicles - even those that are new to the Ukrainian market, such as the BYD Seagull - are conveniently charged throughout the country. For drivers, it is important not only to have an economical car, but also to have access to a stable infrastructure that really works. That's why we create solutions that include charging stations, software, and accessories that every electric vehicle driver needs.

Ours charging stations are fully developed and manufactured in Ukraine. This equipment complies with industry standards and includes both mobile solutions and AC stations up to 44 kW and DC stations up to 420 kW. These characteristics allow for efficient charging of various electric vehicles, including those that support fast charging, such as the BYD Seagull with its 40 kW DC.

To make the charging process simple and straightforward, we have developed our own app for iOS and Android. It allows you to find the nearest charging point, check its status in real time, and plot a route through map of charging stations and even set up filters by connector type. The app itself also supports RFID authentication and offers basic control over charging history.

In addition to the stations, we have online shopwhere we offer a variety of accessories for electric vehicles. These include. cables and adapters for different standards (Type 1, Type 2, Schuko, industrial connectors), holders, RFID cards, adapters and even mobile charging solutions for situations where there is no access to a stationary charger.

What we offer to owners of electric vehicles:

• Full range of charging stations - mobile, AC up to 44 kW, DC up to 420 kW
• App for drivers on iOS and Android with a map of charging stations
• A platform for operators with flexible pricing, analytics and billing support
• Online store with accessories, cables and adapters for electric vehicles
• Full cycle: from design and installation of stations to technical support
• Working with businesses, residential complexes, restaurants, hotels and other infrastructure facilities

The BYD Seagull is an example of how the electric vehicle market is changing. It is simple, inexpensive and ideal for the city. And thanks to charging solutions from ECOFACTOR, even these new cars from China can be charged without any problems - in the app, at home or on the road.

Who is BYD Seagull for?

This electric car is not about pomp, but about practicality. It will be the perfect choice for:

• City dwellers who need an economical car for everyday use
• People who want to switch from petrol to electricity without overpaying
• Young drivers or retirees looking for a simple, reliable car
• Courier services or businesses that need inexpensive urban transport

The price in China starts at USD 10,700, which, even after customs clearance, leaves it cheaper than most used cars in Ukraine. If the model appears officially on our market, it could be a very interesting option for many drivers.

Bottom line.

The BYD Seagull is an honest, logical answer to the needs of the modern city driver. There are no frills, unnecessary gimmicks or marketing tinsel. It's just an electric car that does its job: it drives economically, parks conveniently, charges in half an hour and does not require complex maintenance. And if you are looking for a car for your daily routine, this option is definitely worth considering.

Of course, it has its own compromises: no adaptive cruise, no extensive customisation options. But it also doesn't cost like a Tesla. This is a car that does not pretend to be something more than it is. It relies on practicality, and this is its main strength. If the BYD Seagull is officially launched in Ukraine, it could be a game changer in the budget electric car segment.

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