BYD offers a closer look at the new Seagull EV [Images]

This news is about a car, not a home upgrade, but it's worth noting for anyone weighing an electric vehicle as part of their household energy plans. Chinese automaker BYD showed design sketches of its next-generation Seagull, a low-cost electric hatchback sold overseas as the Dolphin Surf or Dolphin Mini. The current version starts at about $10,000 in China and around $26,500 in Europe, making it one of the cheapest EVs sold anywhere and one of the world's best-selling electric cars.

The redesigned model, reportedly called the "Great Seagull," will be noticeably bigger, with a longer body and wheelbase, plus a more powerful electric motor than the current version. Regulatory filings and leaked images suggest it will also get a roof-mounted sensor for driver-assist features and an updated interior with a larger display. BYD says the new model will go on sale by the end of 2026, though pricing hasn't been announced.

It's not yet confirmed whether this bigger, updated hatchback will come to Europe or the UK as a next-generation Dolphin Surf, though that's expected. If it does, it would likely cost somewhat more than the current model but still undercut $35,000. There's no word on a US launch. For homeowners thinking about EVs alongside upgrades like heat pumps or solar, this is a reminder that affordable EV options keep expanding globally, even if this particular model isn't confirmed for American driveways.