BYD Dolphin Essential Charging Guide: Time, Speed, Power
Price: $29,990
Available since 2023
Key EV Specs
46kWh
Battery Size (capacity)
340 km
Range (WLTP)
132 Wh/km
Efficiency
12.3 s
Acceleration (0-100 km/hr)
7.4 kW AC / 60 kW DC
Charge Power (max)
BYD Dolphin Essential Charging Overview and Charging Specs
The BYD Dolphin Essential is equipped with a 46 kWh battery and supports both AC and DC charging. With the right setup, you can charge conveniently at home or use public charging stations for faster top-ups. This guide covers charging times, costs, plug types, and tips to maximise efficiency. The Dolphin Essential uses a Type 2 plug for AC charging and a CCS connector for DC fast charging, both standard in Australia.
| Battery size (capacity)* | 46 kWh |
| Battery Size (useable) | 44.9 kWh |
| Battery Chemistry | LFP |
| Charge Port Type | Type 2 |
| Charge Port Location | Right Side - Front |
| Charge Power (max) | 7.4 kW |
| Charge Speed | 36 km/h |
| Charge Time (0-100%) | 7 hrs 15 mins |
BYD Dolphin Essential Charging Times and Speeds
The BYD Dolphin Essential has a charging limit of 7.4 kW AC. This means that a three-phase 22kW AC charger will only supply power at 7.4 kW AC. If you are using a 7.2 kW AC charger, power will be limited to 7.2 kW AC. The table below provides charging times across different charger types.
Use our EV charging calculator if you want to customise your charge level and speed.
Charging Station Comparison
| Charger Type | Power Output (Average) | 0–100% Time | 10–80% Time | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home AC (7kW) | 7 kW | 6.9 hr | - | 53 km/h |
| Public AC (22kW) | 7.4 kW | 6.5 hr | - | 56 km/h |
| DC Fast (50kW) | 50 kW | - | 41 min | 379 km/h |
| DC Fast (150kW) | 51.6 kW | - | 39 min | 391 km/h |
| Ultra-Fast DC (350kW) | 51.6 kW | - | 39 min | 391 km/h |
BYD Dolphin Essential Charging Costs & Energy Use
The cost of charging a BYD Dolphin Essential will depend on where it is being charged. The costs of charging from home versus charging as a fast public charging station vary significantly.
The cost of fully charging a BYD Dolphin Essential on a typical home flat energy tariff of $0.35/kWh is $16.10.
The cost of fully charging the BYD Dolphin Essential at a fast public station, where rates as high as $0.7/kWh will be $32.20.
Use our EV charging calculator to get a personalised estimate of the charging costs for a BYD Dolphin Essential
CCS CompatibleWhile most Tesla Superchargers in Australia now support non-Tesla EVs such as the BYD Dolphin Essential via the CCS2 standard, always check the Tesla app for station compatibility.
BYD Dolphin Essential Fast Charging & Tesla Supercharger Compatibility
The BYD Dolphin Essential can charge from 10–80% in approximately 40 minutes on a high-power DC charger.
While most Tesla Superchargers in Australia now support non-Tesla EVs such as the BYD Dolphin Essential via the CCS2 standard, always check the Tesla app for station compatibility.
Charging Specifications:
Usable Battery Capacity:
46 kWh
Fast Charge Power (max):
60 kW
Fast Charge Power (avg):
51.6 kW
Max Fast Charging Speed:
260 km/h
Charge Port:
Type 2
Port Location:
Right Side (Front)
BYD Dolphin Essential Recommended Charge Level
The BYD Dolphin Essential uses an LFP battery. The typical recommended charge limit is 100% for daily use.
The key advantage of LFP is the freedom to fully charge the pack to 100% every time with substantially less degradation concerns compared to other chemistries.
Check your owners manual for specific recommendations for the BYD Dolphin Essential.
BYD Dolphin Essential Bidirectional Charging (V2G/V2H/V2L)
The BYD Dolphin Essential currently supports bidirectional charging features such as Vehicle-to-Load (V2L).
| Feature | Supported | Max Power Output |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) | No | - |
| Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) | No | - |
| Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) | Yes | 3.6 kW |