5-year running cost · 15,000 km/yr · NSW
BYD DolphinVSHyundai Kona 2.0 MPI
The BYD Dolphin is cheaper to run — by $2,802 over 5 years (7% lower total cost), driven mostly by energy / fuel.
- 5-yr cheaper total
- $37,364
- BYD Dolphin
- Saving vs rival
- $2,802
- 7% lower
- Cost per km
- $1
- vs $1
- Saving per year
- $560
- on average
Tale of the tape
Headline specs and running costs side by side.
| Metric | ⚡ BYD Dolphin | ⛽ Hyundai Kona 2.0 MPI |
|---|---|---|
| Driveaway price | $38,990 | $37,990 |
| Powertrain | Electric (BEV) | Petrol · ULP 91 |
| Efficiency | 16.1 kWh/100km | 7.2 L/100km |
| Battery / fuel | 44.9 kWh battery | Petrol · ULP 91 |
| Range | ~275 km real-world | — |
| Annual energy / fuel | $534 | $2,214 |
Run the numbers yourself
interactivePre-loaded with the BYD Dolphin and Hyundai Kona 2.0 MPI. Adjust the state, annual distance, ownership period and charging mix to match your situation.
EV Running Cost Calculator
Compare the true 5-year ownership cost of an electric car vs its petrol equivalent in Australia.
Ownership period
Electric
BYD Dolphin
- Energy / Fuel
- $2,669
- Registration
- $2,500
- Insurance
- $9,000
- Servicing
- $1,750
- Depreciation
- $21,445
5-Year Total
$37,364
$1/km · $7,473/yr
Petrol
Hyundai Kona 2.0 MPI
- Energy / Fuel
- $9,994
- Registration
- $2,500
- Insurance
- $7,500
- Servicing
- $2,750
- Depreciation
- $15,296
5-Year Total
$38,040
$1/km · $7,608/yr
5-Year Cost Breakdown
Energy / Fuel
Registration
Insurance
Servicing
Depreciation
5-year cost breakdown
Every category, both vehicles, and the difference.
| Category | BYD Dolphin | Hyundai Kona 2.0 MPI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy / fuel | $2,669 | $11,070 | −$8,401 |
| Registration | $2,500 | $2,500 | — |
| Insurance | $9,000 | $6,750 | +$2,250 |
| Servicing | $1,750 | $2,750 | −$1,000 |
| Depreciation | $21,445 | $17,096 | +$4,349 |
| Total (5 yrs) | $37,364 | $40,166 | $2,802 |
Which is cheaper to run?
Over 5 years of average Australian driving (15,000 km/year in NSW), the BYD Dolphin costs $37,364 to own and run, against $40,166 for the Hyundai Kona 2.0 MPI. That is a $2,802 difference — about $560 a year, or $47 a month.
The single biggest swing is energy / fuel: across 5 years the gap is $8,401. Energy is where electric cars usually win — charging at home (especially on solar or off-peak rates) costs a fraction of petrol per kilometre — while the Hyundai Kona 2.0 MPI's higher purchase price can narrow the gap through depreciation.
Estimates use average NSW electricity and fuel prices, typical insurance and servicing for this segment, and a 5-year depreciation model. Your numbers will vary with tariffs, driving style and resale values — use the calculator above for a tailored figure.
FAQ
- Is the BYD Dolphin cheaper to run than the Hyundai Kona 2.0 MPI?
- Yes. Based on 15,000 km/year over 5 years in NSW, the BYD Dolphin costs $37,364 to run versus $40,166 for the Hyundai Kona 2.0 MPI — a saving of $2,802 (7%). The biggest difference is energy / fuel.
- How much does it cost to run the BYD Dolphin per year in Australia?
- Around $7,473 per year ($1/km), covering energy, registration, insurance, servicing and depreciation at 15,000 km/year in NSW.
- How much can I save switching from the Hyundai Kona 2.0 MPI to the BYD Dolphin?
- About $2,802 over 5 years — roughly $560 per year. Use the calculator above to adjust the state, annual distance and charging mix for your situation.