BYD Ireland 2026: Models, Prices, Range & Warranty

BYD is now one of the most searched car brands in Ireland, and for good reason: the range has grown from one electric SUV to small city EVs, family SUVs and plug-in hybrids in just a few years. This guide to BYD in Ireland explains who sells the cars, which models are on sale, what they cost at launch, how far they go on a charge and what to check if you are buying a used BYD.

Quick summary

BYD is imported by Motor Distributors Limited (MDL), with a growing dealer network.

The range runs from the Dolphin Surf city car to the Sealion 7 SUV, plus plug-in hybrids such as the Seal U DM-i and the Atto 2 Super Hybrid.

Most BYD electric cars use BYD's own LFP Blade battery.

Battery warranties are 8 years, with 200,000 km or 250,000 km depending on the model.

Who sells BYD in Ireland?

BYD's Irish importer is Motor Distributors Limited (MDL). When the Dolphin Surf went on sale in September 2025, CompleteCar.ie reported that the network had 11 outlets and planned to expand to 20. That is still a much smaller network than the long-established brands, so check how far your nearest BYD service point is before you buy, especially if you live outside the main cities.

BYD models in Ireland at a glance

The prices below are the Irish launch prices reported at the time, so treat them as a guide and confirm the current price with a dealer. Where a price includes the SEAI grant and VRT rebate, that is stated.

BYD Dolphin Surf (small electric car)

The Dolphin Surf is BYD's smallest EV in Ireland. At launch in September 2025 it started from €17,985 including the SEAI grant and VRT rebate for private buyers. The Active version has a 30 kWh LFP Blade battery, 220 km of WLTP range, an 88hp motor and DC charging up to 65 kW. The Boost (€22,230 at launch) moves to a 43.2 kWh battery and 322 km WLTP with DC charging up to 85 kW, while the Comfort adds a 156hp motor and 0 to 100 km/h in 9.1 seconds, with 310 km WLTP. All versions take up to 11 kW on three-phase AC. It is 3,990 mm long with a 308 litre boot, and it received five stars from Euro NCAP (CompleteCar.ie).

BYD Atto 3 EVO (compact electric SUV)

The Atto 3 EVO replaced the original Atto 3 in Ireland in October 2026. It has a 74.8 kWh LFP Blade battery and an official range of 510 km, 90 km more than the original car. DC charging goes up to 220 kW, with 10 to 80% in 25 minutes. The boot is 490 litres plus a 101 litre front trunk, and it can tow 1,500 kg. The rear-wheel-drive Design (312hp) was priced from €40,530 and the four-wheel-drive Excellence (448hp, 0 to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds) from €43,985. BYD covers the battery for 8 years or 250,000 km (CompleteCar.ie, BYD).

BYD Atto 3 EVO dashboard and centre touchscreen — Photo: BYD press image, Atto 3 EVO interior (left-hand-drive car shown).

BYD Sealion 7 (mid-size electric SUV)

The Sealion 7 arrived in April 2025. The rear-wheel-drive Comfort, priced from €45,435 including incentives, has an 82.5 kWh battery, 482 km WLTP, 313hp and DC charging up to 150 kW. The all-wheel-drive Design (€52,390) and Excellence (€56,490) have 530hp; the Excellence uses a 91.3 kWh battery for up to 502 km and charges at up to 230 kW. A heat pump is standard. BYD listed a 6 year or 150,000 km vehicle warranty, up to 8 years on the motor and power electronics, and 8 years or 200,000 km on the battery (CompleteCar.ie).

BYD Seal U DM-i (plug-in hybrid SUV)

The Seal U DM-i was BYD's first plug-in hybrid in Ireland, arriving in September 2024. It pairs a 1.5-litre petrol engine with an electric motor. The front-wheel-drive Boost, from €42,150, has 217hp, an 18 kWh LFP battery and 80 km of WLTP electric range, with 11 kW AC and 18 kW DC charging. The all-wheel-drive Design, from €49,140, has 323hp and 70 km of electric range. BYD claims more than 1,000 km on a full tank and a full battery (CompleteCar.ie).

BYD Atto 2 Super Hybrid (compact plug-in hybrid)

Launched alongside the Atto 3 EVO in October 2026, the Atto 2 Super Hybrid uses an 18 kWh battery for up to 90 km of electric driving, 212hp combined and 0 to 100 km/h in 7.5 seconds. BYD quotes more than 1,000 km of combined range. It was priced from €32,990 (Active) and €35,990 (Boost) (CompleteCar.ie).

Coming next

BYD has said the Dolphin-G plug-in hybrid will join the Irish range later in 2026 (CompleteCar.ie), and the Seal 6 DM-i was also expected. Check BYD Ireland for the current line-up.

Older BYD models on the used market

Because BYD has been on sale in Ireland for a few years, the used market also includes earlier models such as the original Atto 3, the Dolphin and the Seal saloon. The original Atto 3 is worth a look if your budget does not stretch to the EVO, but remember that BYD says the EVO adds 90 km of range over it, so the older car's real-world range will be noticeably shorter. On any older BYD, the battery warranty start date is the key number, because it runs from first registration, not from when you buy the car.

Charging a BYD: home and public

All the BYD electric models listed above accept up to 11 kW on three-phase AC, but most Irish homes have a single-phase supply, so home charging is usually slower than the car's 11 kW maximum. For most daily driving, an overnight charge at home is still enough. DC rapid charging speed varies a lot across the range, from 65 kW on the entry Dolphin Surf to 220 kW on the Atto 3 EVO and 230 kW on the Sealion 7 Excellence, so if you regularly drive long distances, compare the DC figure as well as the WLTP range.

Pros and cons of buying a BYD

On the plus side, BYD offers long battery warranties, generous standard equipment on most versions and a wide choice from city cars to large SUVs and plug-in hybrids. On the other side, the dealer network is still small compared with long-established brands, and resale values for a newer brand in Ireland have less history behind them. A test drive and a quote for servicing from your nearest BYD dealer are the best way to judge it for yourself.

Electric or plug-in hybrid: which BYD suits you?

If you can charge at home and most of your driving is under 300 km a day, an electric BYD is the simplest choice: the Dolphin Surf for town, the Atto 3 EVO or Sealion 7 for a family. Our guide to the SEAI home charger grant explains how to get a charger installed.

A plug-in hybrid such as the Seal U DM-i or Atto 2 Super Hybrid makes sense if you do regular long trips or cannot charge every night. With 70 to 90 km of electric range, most commutes can still be done on battery power, with the petrol engine for longer runs. Our comparison of electric, hybrid and petrol cars in Ireland goes through the running cost trade-offs.

The Blade battery in plain English

Most BYD models use BYD's own Blade battery, which uses lithium iron phosphate (LFP) chemistry. LFP batteries are generally tolerant of regular charging to a high level, which suits daily home charging. BYD makes its own batteries, which is why its battery warranties run to 8 years. On a used car, the warranty and a battery health report matter more than the chemistry.

Buying a used BYD in Ireland: checklist

Confirm the model and version: battery size and motor can change the range a lot, as the Dolphin Surf versions show.
Ask a BYD dealer for a battery state of health report.
Check the warranty start date and ask in writing whether the remaining vehicle and battery cover transfers to you.
Check both charging cables are included and test AC charging if you can.
On a plug-in hybrid, check the service history for the petrol engine as well as the electric side.
Ask a BYD dealer to check the VIN for software updates and any open recalls.
Check how far your nearest BYD service point is.
Run a history check for finance, write-off and mileage, and check the NCT status if the car is old enough.

Find a BYD for sale

You can browse used BYD cars for sale on EcoSteer.ie, or widen your search to all electric cars for sale in Ireland.

Frequently asked questions

Who sells BYD cars in Ireland?

BYD cars are imported by Motor Distributors Limited (MDL). When the Dolphin Surf launched in September 2025, the network had 11 outlets, with plans to grow to 20.

What is the cheapest BYD in Ireland?

The Dolphin Surf. At its Irish launch in September 2025 it started from €17,985 for a private buyer, including the SEAI grant and VRT rebate, with a 30 kWh battery and 220 km of WLTP range.

Does BYD sell hybrids in Ireland?

Yes. BYD sells plug-in hybrids it calls Super Hybrid or DM-i, including the Seal U DM-i and the Atto 2 Super Hybrid, which pair a petrol engine with an 18 kWh battery and can cover up to 80 to 90 km on electric power, depending on the model.

What warranty do BYD cars have in Ireland?

At the Irish launch of the Sealion 7, BYD listed a 6 year or 150,000 km vehicle warranty and an 8 year or 200,000 km battery warranty. For the Atto 3 EVO, the battery cover is 8 years or 250,000 km. Always check the warranty booklet for the car you are buying.

Are BYD cars safe?

The Dolphin Surf received five stars from Euro NCAP, and BYD Ireland's website shows a five-star Euro NCAP badge for the Seal (2023 test). Check the Euro NCAP result for the exact model and year you are considering.

BYD Ireland 2026: Models, Prices, Range and Warranty Explained

Who sells BYD in Ireland?