BYD has patented a city electric car: A new rival for the Smart?
BYD has secured a design patent in China for a two-door microcar. The Chinese National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) has now released 3D images of the vehicle. The application was filed back in December 2025. In addition to four Chinese individuals, BYD’s chief designer from Germany, Wolfgang Egger, is listed as the creator of the design.
As is common with very small vehicles, the overhangs are extremely short while the height is relatively high. The shapes are more rounded, with the front being closed except for a tiny gap in the bumper. The two headlights are positioned further back and are connected by a horizontal element.
Image gallery: BYD’s design concept for Smart#2 rivals
6
Source: BYD
The doors extend almost across the entire wheelbase, with the wheels only hinted at in this still fairly rough 3D design. The wheels feature a slotted design.
The rear is styled similarly to the front: the bumper looks practically identical, as do the lights and the strip in between. It remains unclear whether the dark gray areas represent glass. This is unlikely, however, because if so, the doors would also be glassed in the lower section, and the lights at the front and back would be integrated into the glass.
There are no details available regarding dimensions, technical specifications, or the model name, and BYD has not yet commented on a possible mass production. Yet the sketches indicate that the design team is working on a two-door model positioned below the BYD Dolphin Surf.
Image source: BYD
Image source: smart
At first glance, the vehicle resembles the Smart #2 or other compact cars like the Wuling Hongguang Mini EV. However, while those models have a sort of front hood, the BYD design lacks one entirely—something that likely benefits the interior space. In this regard, it resembles the Silence S04. Like this compact car sold by Nissan, it could theoretically also be an electric microcar. While the Silence S04 is only 2.28 meters long, the Smart #2 is half a meter longer at 2.75 meters.
Silence S04 (2025)
Image source: Nissan
A full-sized electric car is more likely than a light vehicle in the L6e or L7e class, and it would likely compete in the same price range as the Smart #2, which is already available for pre-order at prices starting from 19,990 euros. For comparison, the larger BYD Dolphin Surf is listed at 23,490 euros, but after applying a Black Friday discount of 3,500 euros, the price drops to 19,990 euros. At least after deducting the BYD discount, our feeling is that BYD’s new compact car should be significantly cheaper.
More affordable electric cars:
In summary
According to reports from the dealer community, interest in the Smart #2 is high. This naturally also draws the attention of competitors. Vehicles like the Microlino, Silence S04, or Opel Rocks Electric have not gained traction in Germany. In contrast, the Smart Fortwo has been a staple in city centers and remains so to some extent even today. Therefore, there is certainly interest. It seems that prices above those of five-door compact and subcompact cars are also acceptable. This is understandable, as in crowded cities, smaller often means better.