A proper head-to-head in South Africa — compare price, performance,
fuel economy or electric range, safety and the details that shape long-term ownership.
BYD DOLPHIN SURF vs Foton eTruckmate: the short answer
Compare the available model information below. Hagalu has withheld a ranked verdict because the selected vehicles do not yet meet the minimum like-for-like source-coverage threshold.
DOLPHIN SURF starts ZAR 233,100 cheaperDOLPHIN SURF from ZAR 341,900 · eTruckmate from ZAR 575,000
Five key differences
Exact selected derivatives
Swipe sideways to compare every column
Specification
DOLPHIN SURF
eTruckmate
Maximum Power
DOLPHIN SURF55 kW
eTruckmate60 kW
Maximum Torque
DOLPHIN SURF135 Nm
eTruckmateNot Officially Disclosed
Engine Size
DOLPHIN SURFNot Applicable
eTruckmateNot Applicable
Combined Fuel Economy
DOLPHIN SURFNot Applicable
eTruckmateNot Applicable
Ground Clearance
DOLPHIN SURF155 mm
eTruckmateNot Officially Disclosed
Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.
Independent editorial assessment
Hagalu editorial ratings
When a variant is selected, its rating out of five applies only to that exact derivative; a model-range review is not inherited. Editorial ratings are separate from the Specification Evidence Index out of 100 and are not customer ratings.
BYD DOLPHIN SURF
Dynamic EV
Hagalu editorial ratingNot yet rated
No complete editorial rating is published for this exact variant. This is not a zero score.
Not yet rated means a complete review is not published; it does not mean the vehicle scored zero. Read the rating methodology.
Full Specs, Side by Side
Open a category, then swipe sideways to compare every column
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
eTruckmate
Model Introduced Year
2025
2024
Generation
First South African DOLPHIN SURF generation
Compact electric single-cab commercial platform on a 2,600 mm wheelbase.
Facelift History
No separately marketed South African facelift announced as at August 2026
Current South African eTruckmate range, with no separate facelift identified.
Facelift Launched Since
Original current-generation version
Not Applicable
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Not Applicable
Body Style
Hatchback
Light truck
Model Year
2026
2026
Production Status
Active
active
Segment
City Hatchback
Battery-electric compact truck
Vehicle Type
Passenger vehicle
Electric light commercial vehicle
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
eTruckmate
Length
3925 mm
4670 mm
Width
1720 mm
1590 mm
Height
1590 mm
1860 mm
Wheelbase
2500 mm
2600 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
155 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
120 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel Tank Capacity
0 l
0 l
Boot/Cargo Space
230 l
Not Officially Disclosed
Kerb Weight
1280 kg
Not Officially Disclosed
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
1690 kg
Not Officially Disclosed
Payload Capacity
410 kg
Not Officially Disclosed
Towing Capacity
0 kg
Not Officially Disclosed
Seating Capacity
5 seats
2 seats
Number of Rows
2 rows
1 rows
Doors
5 doors
2 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
4.95 m
Not Officially Disclosed
Front Headroom
980 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Rear Headroom
920 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Front Legroom
1060 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Rear Legroom
690 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
eTruckmate
Engine
Single-motor battery-electric powertrain
Single-motor battery-electric powertrain
Engine Code
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Fuel Type
Electric
Electric
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Engine Displacement
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Cylinders
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Cylinder Layout
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Valves
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Valves per Cylinder
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Aspiration
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Fuel System
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Compression Ratio
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Bore
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Stroke
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Maximum Power
55 kW
60 kW
Maximum Torque
135 Nm
Not Officially Disclosed
Combined Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Combined Torque
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Motor Type
Permanent Magnet Synchronous
Permanent Magnet Synchronous
Number of Motors
1
Not Officially Disclosed
Motor Location
Front
Not Officially Disclosed
Drive Type
FWD
Not Officially Disclosed
Transmission
Single-Speed Reduction Gear
Not Officially Disclosed
Top Speed
130 km/h
90 km/h
0-100 km/h
15.5 sec
Not Officially Disclosed
Quarter Mile
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Drive Modes
Eco, Normal, Sport, Snow
Not Officially Disclosed
Launch Control
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Rev Limiter
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Power-to-Weight Ratio
43.0 kW/tonne
Not Officially Disclosed
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
105.5 Nm/tonne
Not Officially Disclosed
Battery Capacity
38.88 kWh
Not Officially Disclosed
Usable Battery Capacity
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Battery Type
LFP
LFP
Battery Voltage
Not Officially Disclosed
309 V
Electric Range
295 km (WLTP)
280 km
AC Charging Power
6.6 kW
Not Officially Disclosed
DC Charging Power
40 kW
Not Officially Disclosed
AC Charging Time
Not Officially Disclosed
7 h
DC Charging Time
Not Officially Disclosed
90 min
Regenerative Braking
Yes
Not Officially Disclosed
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
eTruckmate
Gearbox
Single-Speed Reduction Gear
Not Officially Disclosed
Drivetrain Layout
Front motor, front-wheel drive
Not Officially Disclosed
LSD Available
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Transfer Case
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Differential Lock
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Paddle Shifters
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Final Drive Ratio
10.45
10.5
Number of Gears
1
Not Officially Disclosed
Transmission Type
Automatic
Not Officially Disclosed
Clutch Type
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Gear Shift Indicator
Standard
Not Officially Disclosed
Gear Shift Type
Instrument switch group gear selector
Not Officially Disclosed
Drivetrain
FWD
Not Officially Disclosed
4WD Engagement
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
4WD Hi Range
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
4WD Lo Range
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
4WD Selector
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Automatic Shift Paddles
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Front Differential Lock
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Gearbox Type
Single-speed reduction gear
Not Officially Disclosed
Low Range Ratio
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Low Range
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Axle Layout
4x2
Not Officially Disclosed
Rear Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Transmission Speeds
1
Not Officially Disclosed
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
eTruckmate
Claimed Mileage
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
City Mileage
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Highway Mileage
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Fuel Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Emission Standard
Not Applicable
Zero tailpipe emissions
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Real-world Mileage
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Charging Port Type
Type 2 AC; CCS2 DC
Not Officially Disclosed
Charging Type
AC and DC
AC and DC
Fuel Tank Litres
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Combined Driving Range
295 km (WLTP)
Not Officially Disclosed
Electric Consumption
13.4 kWh/100 km (measured)
Not Officially Disclosed
Range Real World Highway
245 km
Not Officially Disclosed
Range Real World Mixed
288 km
Not Officially Disclosed
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
eTruckmate
Airbags
6
Not Officially Disclosed
ABS
Standard
Yes
Electronic Stability Control
Standard
Not Officially Disclosed
Traction Control
Standard
Not Officially Disclosed
Hill Descent Control
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Hill Start Assist
Standard
Not Officially Disclosed
Child Safety Lock
Standard
Not Officially Disclosed
ISOFIX Mounts
Standard
Not Officially Disclosed
Brake Assist
Standard
Not Officially Disclosed
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Standard
Not Officially Disclosed
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Not Officially Disclosed
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Standard
Not Officially Disclosed
Front Parking Sensors
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
AEB
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
BA
Standard
Not Officially Disclosed
Brake Override System
Standard
Not Officially Disclosed
Curtain Airbags
Standard
Not Officially Disclosed
Driver Airbag
Standard
Not Officially Disclosed
EBD
Standard
Yes
Engine Immobiliser
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Hill Hold
Standard
Not Officially Disclosed
Passenger Airbag
Standard
Not Officially Disclosed
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Standard
Not Officially Disclosed
Seatbelt Reminder
Standard
Not Officially Disclosed
Side Airbags
Standard
Not Officially Disclosed
Stability Control
Standard
Not Officially Disclosed
TCS
Standard
Not Officially Disclosed
Knee Airbag
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
ABS EBD
Standard
Yes
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
eTruckmate
Cruise Control
Standard
Not Officially Disclosed
Adaptive Cruise Control
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Lane Keep Assist
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Lane Departure Warning
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Blind Spot Monitoring
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Parking Sensors
Standard
Not Officially Disclosed
Rear View Camera
Standard
Not Officially Disclosed
360 Degree Camera
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Driver Fatigue Alert
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Traffic Sign Recognition
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Auto Highbeam
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Auto Wipers
Standard
Not Officially Disclosed
Rear Parking Sensors
Standard
Not Officially Disclosed
Reverse Camera
Standard
Not Officially Disclosed
Adaptive Cruise Control
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Park Assist
Standard
Not Officially Disclosed
Around View Monitor
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Blind Spot Warning
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Forward Collision Warning
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
eTruckmate
Seat Material
Synthetic leather
Not Officially Disclosed
Heated Seats
Standard
Not Officially Disclosed
Ventilated Seats
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Ambient Lighting
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Steering Wheel Material
Imitation leather
Not Officially Disclosed
60 40 Split Seat
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Driver Seat Adjustment
6-way electric
Not Officially Disclosed
Passenger Seat Adjustment
4-way manual
Not Officially Disclosed
Seat Trim
Synthetic leather
Not Officially Disclosed
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
eTruckmate
Climate Control
Electric air conditioner
Air conditioning
Power Windows
Standard
Yes
Keyless Entry
Standard
Central locking
Push Button Start
Standard
Not Officially Disclosed
Wireless Charging
Standard
Not Officially Disclosed
Sunroof
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Electric Tailgate
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Rain Sensing Wipers
Standard
Not Officially Disclosed
AC Type
Electric air conditioner
Air conditioning
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
eTruckmate
Infotainment System
10.1-inch touchscreen
Not Officially Disclosed
Apple CarPlay
Standard
Not Officially Disclosed
Android Auto
Standard
Not Officially Disclosed
Bluetooth Connectivity
Standard
Yes
Number of Speakers
4
Not Officially Disclosed
Digital Instrument Cluster
7-inch digital instrument display
Not Officially Disclosed
USB Ports
Front and rear USB-A/USB-C ports
Not Officially Disclosed
Infotainment Screen
10.1
Not Officially Disclosed
Touchscreen
10.1
Not Officially Disclosed
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
eTruckmate
LED Headlamps
Standard
Not Officially Disclosed
Daytime Running Lamps
LED
Yes
Fog Lamps
Rear fog lamp
Yes
Roof Rails
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Exterior Colour Options
Lime Green, Cream White, Cosmos Black, Ice Blue
Not Officially Disclosed
Headlights
Standard
Not Officially Disclosed
Panoramic Sunroof
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
eTruckmate
Approach Angle
15 deg
Not Officially Disclosed
Departure Angle
25 deg
Not Officially Disclosed
Wading Depth
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Terrain Modes
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Locking Differential
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
4WD System Type
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Breakover Angle
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
eTruckmate
Tyre Size
185/55 R16
175R14
Front Brake Type
Ventilated disc
Disc
Rear Brake Type
Disc
Drum
Spare Wheel Type
Tyre repair kit
Not Officially Disclosed
Wheel Rim Size
16
14-inch wheels
Handbrake Type
Electronic parking brake
Manual
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
eTruckmate
Front Suspension
MacPherson strut
Independent
Rear Suspension
Torsion beam
Leaf spring
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
eTruckmate
CO2 Emissions
0 g/km
0 g/km
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
eTruckmate
Service Plan
4 years/2 services service plan
Service plans available
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
eTruckmate
Ownership Role
longer-range city derivative
Current South African derivative
Price Zar
395900 ZAR
575000 ZAR
Pricing Role
longer-range city derivative
Current South African retail price
Starting Price
395900
575000
Starting Price Zar
395900
575000
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
eTruckmate
Warranty
3 years/100000 km complete vehicle; 8 years/200000 km power battery; 5 years/100000 km drive unit
Battery and electric motor: 5 years / 200,000 km; balance: 3 years / 100,000 km; roadside assistance 5 years
In depth: how these cars differ
This DOLPHIN SURF and eTruckmate comparison brings together local model information and available derivatives for South Africa. Prices and specifications appear only where they have been recorded for this market.
Hagalu has withheld an overall score because at least one selected vehicle does not yet have four comparable categories and 50% weighted source coverage. Missing catalogue evidence is not replaced with a neutral score or a guessed value.
Use the key-spec and full-spec tables to compare the fields that are confirmed. For a purchase decision, verify current availability, exact derivative equipment, finance, insurance and ownership cover with the relevant manufacturer or authorised retailer.
Model imagery
DOLPHIN SURF and eTruckmate image comparison
Open an image for its full canonical file or visit the model page for the complete vehicle record.
Hagalu does not turn missing specifications into neutral scores or guessed values.
Fail closed
Score withheld: fewer than four comparable categories or less than 50% weighted source coverage for at least one vehicle.
Use the verified key-spec and full-spec tables on this page. A ranked index will appear only after every selected vehicle has source-backed data in at least four categories and reaches 50% weighted coverage.
What the evidence means
No overall winner is declared because the selected vehicles do not yet meet Hagalu's minimum like-for-like source-coverage threshold. Compare the confirmed rows and verify the exact derivative before buying.
Related comparisons
Continue with closely related South Africa models and comparable body styles.
There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the models and available derivatives in South Africa on price, safety equipment, space, powertrain and ownership cover. The category indicators summarise published catalogue data; they are not a road test or customer rating.
Compare the published consumption or mileage rows for the exact derivatives using the same unit and test basis. A catalogue figure is useful for like-for-like comparison, but traffic, speed, load, weather and driving style can change actual fuel use.
Compare only equipment explicitly listed for each derivative, including airbags, stability control and driver-assistance systems. Confirm the exact trim with the manufacturer, and treat any independent crash-test result separately because equipment and ratings can differ by market.
A reliable five-year total cannot be calculated from catalogue data alone. Add the exact purchase and finance cost, fuel or electricity, insurance quotes, scheduled servicing, tyres and expected resale value. Check whether the selected derivative includes a service or maintenance plan.
Use the seating, boot or load-space, ISOFIX and safety rows as a first check. Then test the exact cars with your child seats, passengers and typical luggage, because published dimensions do not show every access or comfort difference.
Compare the published power, torque and 0–100 km/h rows when they are available for both exact derivatives. Vehicle weight, gearing and power delivery also matter, so catalogue outputs alone do not establish real-world overtaking or response.
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