BYD Dolphin G Plug-In Hybrid: What It Means for Your Novated Lease
The BYD Dolphin G PHEV promises 1000km range and a sub-$30k price point. Here's what Australian salary packagers need to know before it arrives.
BYD has launched the Dolphin G DM-i in Europe — a plug-in hybrid hatchback with a claimed combined range of around 1000km and a price point squarely aimed at the MG3 Hybrid+ and Toyota Yaris Cross. According to the EVcentral report [Source 1], the Dolphin G uses BYD's DM-i plug-in hybrid system in a small-hatch body that already sells in large volumes globally.
No official Australian launch date has been confirmed yet. But BYD's track record — the standard Dolphin went from European debut to Australian showrooms inside 18 months — means this is worth watching closely if you're planning a novated lease in the next 12–24 months.
What this means for novated lease customers
Here's where it gets interesting for PAYG employees. PHEVs currently sit outside the FBT exemption that applies to battery-electric vehicles under the Treasury Laws Amendment (Electric Car Discount) Act. That exemption is reserved for zero-emission vehicles — meaning a PHEV like the Dolphin G would be treated as a standard fringe benefit and FBT would apply in the usual way.
That said, PHEVs are still a legitimate and often cost-effective novated lease vehicle. Your employer pays for the vehicle using pre-tax salary, the FBT liability is managed through employee contributions, and you still benefit from GST savings on the purchase price and running costs. The maths just looks different to a full BEV — and anyone telling you otherwise is oversimplifying it.
If the Australian government ever extends the FBT exemption to plug-in hybrids — which has been debated but not legislated as of this writing — the Dolphin G's positioning would make it a very compelling salary-packaging option. Until then, run the numbers honestly before you sign anything.
Common questions
Is the BYD Dolphin G available in Australia right now?
Not yet. It has launched in Europe as of mid-2025. BYD Australia has not announced a local release date, though BYD has historically brought new models to Australia within 12–18 months of overseas launches.
Does the BYD Dolphin G qualify for the FBT exemption on novated leases?
No — as a plug-in hybrid, it does not qualify for the current FBT exemption, which covers only battery-electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. It can still be novated, but FBT applies in the standard way.
Is a PHEV still worth novating if there's no FBT exemption?
It can be, depending on your income, employer contributions structure, and how much you drive. The GST saving on the vehicle purchase price and running costs still apply. The key is to model the actual after-tax cost — not just assume it's cheaper because it's a PHEV.
How does the Dolphin G compare to the MG3 Hybrid+ for novated leasing?
Both are PHEVs with similar FBT treatment. The comparison will come down to purchase price, residual value, fuel and electricity costs, and how each manufacturer's service network holds up. We'll update this page once Australian pricing is confirmed.
Will millarX be able to arrange a novated lease on the BYD Dolphin G?
Once the vehicle is available in Australia through an authorised dealer, yes — millarX can arrange novated leases across most makes and models. Get in touch and we'll let you know as soon as it's orderable.