BYD Dolphin G PHEV — What It Could Mean for Your Novated Lease
The BYD Dolphin G plug-in hybrid has launched in Europe with 1000km range. Here's what Australian salary packagers need to know before it arrives.
The BYD Dolphin G DM-i has arrived in Europe as a plug-in hybrid hatchback claiming a combined driving range of around 1,000 km, putting it squarely in competition with the MG3 Hybrid+ and Toyota Yaris Cross — according to the EVcentral AU report [Source 1]. It's a small, affordable PHEV with BYD's DM-i hybrid system under the bonnet, and it's the kind of vehicle that tends to find its way to Australian showrooms not long after a European launch.
No confirmed Australian pricing or arrival date has been announced yet. But given BYD's track record of moving quickly from global reveal to local sale, it's worth understanding now how a car like this would sit inside a novated lease — particularly as the FBT landscape for PHEVs is shifting.
What this means for novated lease customers
Here's the thing the industry doesn't always say upfront: plug-in hybrid vehicles do not currently qualify for the FBT exemption that full battery electric vehicles enjoy under the Treasury Laws Amendment (Electric Car Discount) Act. That exemption — which can deliver meaningful pre-tax savings on a novated lease — is restricted to zero-emissions vehicles (BEVs and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles), and PHEVs are explicitly excluded.
That said, a novated lease on a PHEV still makes sense for many employees. You're still paying for the vehicle largely from pre-tax salary, still covering running costs through the lease, and still benefiting from GST savings on the purchase price. The savings are real — just not as substantial as they are for a full EV. If the Dolphin G launches in Australia at a competitive price point (BYD's typical play), it could still be one of the more cost-effective small cars to run through a novated lease, especially for drivers who want hybrid range reassurance without committing to a full BEV.
The other thing worth watching: the federal government's PHEV FBT exemption position has been debated and could change in a future budget cycle. If you're making a three-to-five year vehicle decision, that policy risk cuts both ways — and it's worth talking to someone who's licensed to give you advice, not just a lease calculator.
Common questions
Is the BYD Dolphin G available in Australia right now?
No. As of the time of writing, the Dolphin G DM-i has launched in Europe only. BYD has not announced an Australian release date or local pricing. Watch this space — BYD's Australian rollout of new models has historically been reasonably fast.
Does the BYD Dolphin G qualify for the EV FBT exemption on a novated lease?
Almost certainly not, based on current law. The FBT exemption applies to battery electric vehicles and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles — not plug-in hybrids. The Dolphin G is a PHEV, so it would attract standard FBT treatment, which is still manageable but means the savings profile is different to a full BEV lease.
Is a novated lease still worth it for a PHEV like this?
It can be, depending on your income and how many kilometres you drive. You still benefit from pre-tax salary contributions and GST savings on the purchase price — you just don't get the FBT exemption on top. A proper comparison requires your actual numbers, not a generic estimate.
What's the difference between the BYD Dolphin G and the standard BYD Dolphin?
The standard BYD Dolphin is a battery electric vehicle (BEV). The Dolphin G DM-i is a plug-in hybrid variant using BYD's DM-i system, which pairs a smaller battery with a petrol engine for extended range. They are different vehicles with different powertrains and different FBT treatment.
Where does millarX sit on this?
millarX is ACL-licensed and AFCA-registered. We'll structure a novated lease on a PHEV if it suits you — we're not in the business of steering you toward a full BEV just because the FBT numbers look shinier. We'll show you both scenarios and let you decide.