BYD unveils its new cheapest EV in China with 5-minute flash charging and it costs under $10,000

Buying an EV doesn’t have to mean spending a fortune, and BYD is making that point with its latest little hatchback that’s just appeared in China.

The Chinese automaker has unveiled the second-generation Seagull, bringing faster charging, more space, and some surprisingly fancy features to one of its most affordable models.

Even better, the entry-level version starts at less than $10,000 in China.

But the real headline is how little time drivers could spend waiting for the battery to charge.

BYD’s new Seagull EV costs less than $10,000

The new BYD Seagull EV is officially on sale in China, with prices starting at 65,900 yuan, or around $9,900, before incentives.

Eligible buyers can bring that down to 62,900 yuan, roughly $9,500, through the automaker’s trade-in promotion.

That makes the second-generation model cheaper than its predecessor, which previously started at around $10,500 without incentives.

The updated Seagull is also bigger than before, measuring around 13.8 feet long and offering seating for five people instead of four.

The Chinese automaker has stretched the wheelbase, too, giving passengers more room to get comfortable.

Underneath, the new model switches to rear-wheel drive and gets a more powerful electric motor.

Depending on the version, drivers get either 114hp or 127hp, while an upgraded rear suspension is designed to make the ride more comfortable.

It’s still a small city car rather than a performance machine, but the Chinese automaker has clearly tried to make the new Seagull feel like a more grown-up option without pushing the price into expensive territory.

The new BYD Seagull can charge from 10 to 70 percent in five minutes

Here’s where things get particularly interesting.

The new Seagull is available with BYD’s second-generation Blade Battery technology, with larger-battery versions supporting the company’s Flash Charging system.

According to the creators, those versions can charge from 10 to 70 percent in just five minutes when connected to a compatible Flash Charging station, and a charge from 10 to 97 percent takes around nine minutes.

Even freezing weather isn’t supposed to slow things down too dramatically, and reports says charging from 20 to 97 percent can take around 12 minutes in temperatures as low as minus 22°F.

There is one important catch, though: the five-minute charging capability isn’t available on the cheapest versions. Buyers need one of the higher-spec models with the larger 39.2kWh battery to get the feature.

The entry-level versions use a smaller 30.1kWh battery and offer a claimed range of around 199 miles on China’s CLTC testing cycle; the larger battery increases that figure to around 261 miles.

As with any EV, real-world range will vary depending on driving conditions, weather, and how the car is used.

The budget EV comes with features you might not expect

Fast charging and a low price aren’t the only upgrades BYD has packed into the new Seagull.

Inside, the hatchback gets a larger 15.6-inch infotainment touchscreen, a redesigned center console, and extra physical buttons, and there’s also ambient lighting and a 50W wireless phone charger.

The front seats can be heated and ventilated, while the driver’s seat can even offer a massage function on the updated model.

For drivers who want extra assistance on the road, an optional system called DiPilot 300 adds a roof-mounted LiDAR sensor and advanced driving-assistance features, including navigation assistance in city traffic and smart parking.

The Seagull is also sold under different names in overseas markets, including the BYD Dolphin Surf in the UK and Europe and the Dolphin Mini in other markets.

However, BYD has not confirmed when this updated version will arrive internationally or how much it would cost outside China.

For now, the new Seagull shows just how much equipment and charging technology can be squeezed into a relatively affordable electric car – even if buyers will need to pay a little extra to get the headline five-minute charging feature.