Volvo EX30 vs BYD Dolphin: Home Charging Comparison
Side-by-side comparison of home charging for the Volvo EX30 (51kWh, 344km range) and BYD Dolphin (60.4kWh, 427km range). Which charges faster, which costs less, and which charger brand works best for each.
| Spec | Volvo EX30 | BYD Dolphin | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | 51kWh | 60.4kWh | BYD Dolphin |
| Range (WLTP) | 344km | 427km | BYD Dolphin |
| Max AC charge | 11kW (3-phase) | 7kW (1-phase) | Volvo EX30 |
| 7kW charge speed | 39km/hr | 40km/hr | BYD Dolphin |
| 20-100% at 7kW | 5.8 hrs | 6.9 hrs | Volvo EX30 |
| Efficiency | 16.3kWh/100km | 15.5kWh/100km | BYD Dolphin |
| Price from (indicative) | $50,000 | $30,000 | BYD Dolphin |
Prices are indicative NZ pricing, June 2026. Verify with the dealer.
Charging Cost Comparison by Region
| Region | Volvo EX30 (full charge) | BYD Dolphin (full charge) | Volvo EX30 /100km | BYD Dolphin /100km |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AKL | $14 | $17 | $5.7 | $5.4 |
| NTL | $15 | $17 | $5.9 | $5.6 |
| WKO | $14 | $17 | $5.7 | $5.4 |
| BOP | $14 | $17 | $5.7 | $5.4 |
| GIS | $15 | $18 | $6.0 | $5.7 |
| HKB | $15 | $17 | $5.9 | $5.6 |
| TKI | $15 | $17 | $5.9 | $5.6 |
| MWT | $15 | $17 | $5.9 | $5.6 |
| WGN | $14 | $17 | $5.7 | $5.4 |
| NSN | $15 | $17 | $5.9 | $5.6 |
| MBH | $15 | $17 | $5.9 | $5.6 |
| WTC | $16 | $18 | $6.2 | $5.9 |
| CAN | $14 | $16 | $5.5 | $5.3 |
| OTA | $14 | $17 | $5.7 | $5.4 |
| STL | $13 | $16 | $5.4 | $5.1 |
Electricity only, at regional average residential rates (33-38c/kWh band). Both vehicles also pay identical Road User Charges of $7.60 per 100km, so RUC does not change the head-to-head result. Overnight EV power plans can lower the electricity cost.
Best Charger for Each Vehicle
Volvo EX30
Supports up to 11kW three-phase AC charging.
BYD Dolphin
Single-phase onboard charger limited to 7kW.
Volvo EX30 vs BYD Dolphin FAQ
Which charges faster at home, Volvo EX30 or BYD Dolphin?
The Volvo EX30 charges faster on a standard 7kW home charger, taking 5.8 hours from 20% to 100% compared to 6.9 hours for the BYD Dolphin. On three-phase power, the gap widens further as the Volvo EX30 supports 11kW while the BYD Dolphin is limited to 7kW.
Which is cheaper to charge, Volvo EX30 or BYD Dolphin?
The BYD Dolphin is more efficient at 15.5kWh/100km, making it slightly cheaper to charge per kilometre. For a typical 15,000km year at the NZ average power price of about 35c/kWh, the difference is about $42 per year. Both pay the same Road User Charges ($76 per 1,000km), and both cost far less per kilometre than a petrol car at home-charging rates.
Do the Volvo EX30 and BYD Dolphin use the same charger?
Both the Volvo EX30 and BYD Dolphin use Type 2 AC charging, so any home EV charger sold in New Zealand works with both vehicles. The key difference is that the Volvo EX30 supports three-phase charging (up to 11kW) while the BYD Dolphin is single-phase only (7kW max).
Get Your Home Charger Installed
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