Tesla Model 3 vs BYD Seal: price, range, tax and running costs compared

Updated 14 November 2026. Figures worked out from HMRC rates and our car data.

The Tesla Model 3 is £7,740 cheaper to buy and costs £10 a month less in company-car tax at the higher rate. The BYD Seal goes 22 miles further on a charge.

We compare the versions below, which are the ones we list on PlugPerk. Other trims and battery sizes change the price, range and tax.

Side by side

	Tesla Model 3	BYD Seal
Version compared	Rear-Wheel Drive (January 2026–)	Design RWD 82.5kWh MY26
Body	Saloon	Saloon
List price	£37,990	£45,730
P11D value	£37,925	£45,730*
Range (WLTP)	332 miles	354 miles
Boot (as quoted by the maker)	594 litres	–
0–62 mph	6.2 seconds	5.9 seconds
Top speed	–	112 mph
Fastest DC charging	175 kW	150 kW
Company-car tax 2026/27, basic rate	£25/month	£30/month
Company-car tax 2026/27, higher rate	£51/month	£61/month
Company-car tax 2026/27 to 2029/30, higher rate	£3,793	£4,573
Salary sacrifice, higher rate (example)	£401/month	£484/month
Expensive car road-tax supplement	No	No

* No published P11D value yet, so the list price is used. Company-car tax for England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The salary-sacrifice figure is an illustration: a package of about 1.6% of the P11D value a month, after tax and National Insurance savings at the higher rate.

Which should you choose?

Choose the Tesla Model 3 if you want the one that is cheaper to buy, lower company-car tax, faster charging.
Choose the BYD Seal if you want the one that is longer range, quicker acceleration.

Whichever you prefer, see what it would cost you each way, as a company car, through salary sacrifice, on a lease or with finance: Tesla Model 3 ways to pay · BYD Seal ways to pay.

Common questions

Which is cheaper as a company car, the Tesla Model 3 or the BYD Seal?

The Tesla Model 3: about £51 a month at the higher rate in 2026/27, against £61 for the BYD Seal.

Which has the longer range, the Tesla Model 3 or the BYD Seal?

The BYD Seal, at 354 miles (WLTP) against 332 miles for the Tesla Model 3, in the versions we compare.

Which charges faster?

The Tesla Model 3, with a peak of 175 kW on a rapid charger against 150 kW for the BYD Seal.

More guides

Company car tax on electric cars: The benefit-in-kind rates to 2030, what you pay at each tax band, and how it is calculated.
Electric car salary sacrifice explained: How giving up pay for a car saves tax, a worked example at every band, and what to check first.
Cheapest electric company cars to run: Every UK electric car ranked by monthly company-car tax, plus the cheapest SUVs and long-range picks.
Best electric cars under £35,000: Every electric car on sale for under £35,000, with the longest range, biggest boot, fastest charging and best value picked out.

Head-to-head comparisons

Sources

0 electric cars

How it works

1

Set your tax band

Pick where you pay income tax and your band, or enter your salary and we'll pick it for you.

2

Compare real costs

Each car shows company-car tax per month at your rate, using the published P11D value where we have it.

3

Go to the maker

Found one you like? Shortlist it, compare up to three, then visit the manufacturer for a configuration and quote.

How is company-car tax worked out?

Taxable benefit = P11D value × the appropriate percentage for zero-emission cars (4% in 2026/27, 5% in 2027/28, 7% in 2028/29 and 9% in 2029/30). You pay that benefit × your marginal income-tax rate. We show a full tax year divided by 12.

What is the P11D value?

The list price including VAT and delivery, plus factory options, but excluding first registration fee and road tax. Where a maker hasn't published one we use the list price and label it as an estimate. Options you add will increase it.

Why is the £100k–£125k band 60%?

Between £100,000 and £125,140 you lose £1 of tax-free personal allowance for every £2 you earn. That makes the effective rate 60% (67.5% in Scotland). Salary sacrifice reduces your taxable pay, so it can be especially valuable here.

How accurate is this?

It is a guide, not tax advice. Prices, P11D values and launch dates change; check with the manufacturer and your employer before you commit. Figures are a researched snapshot and every key number links to its source.

Ways to pay

Company car, salary sacrifice, personal lease, PCP, hire purchase or cash: see what the same car costs you each way, at your own tax band.

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Manufacturers

Choose a brand to see its electric cars and what each would cost you in tax.