Australia’s cheapest-ever electric car is now on sale

BYD has dropped a bombshell in Australia by pricing its entry-level Atto 1 small electric vehicle (EV) from $23,990 before on-road costs (or a bit over $26,000 drive-away ex-Perth), undercutting the most optimistic predictions by several thousand dollars.

On sale now, it will also be joined by the larger Atto 2 small SUV EV version from $31,990, giving the Chinese brand yet another commanding advantage against rivals like the Chery E5 Urban, which currently kicks off from $5000 more.

The Atto 1’s historic pricing is the real headline act, however, as well as a headache for competitors from Japan, Korea and Europe who may struggle to match it.

Not only is the baby BYD the least-expensive new EV ever sold in Australia by some margin, it is also one of the cheapest new cars regardless of powertrain type, period.

For example, the four-seater five-door hatchback costs nearly $1000 less than the similarly-sized Suzuki Swift mild-hybrid petrol automatic (though the manual is about $1500 less), while the Toyota Yaris Ascent Sport Hybrid is over $6500 more expensive.

Cheaper new small cars are few, and include the petrol-driven MG3 Vibe from $21,990 drive-away and one-size-down Kia Picanto Sport city car from $19,190 for the manual and $20,790 for the auto.

However, a number of petrol-powered base small SUVs do also slip in below the base baby BYD – including the Mahindra XUV 3XO and Chery Tiggo 4, from $23,990 drive-away apiece.

So, is the Atto 1 a stripped-down special with a tiny battery?

Not quite. Whilst the entry-level Essential grade makes do with a comparatively small 30kWh LFP battery for just 220km of WLTP range, the flip side is short charging times, with an 80 per cent top-up only requiring about 30 minutes using a 65kW DC fast charger.

Under the bonnet is a 65kW/135Nm electric motor, driving the front wheels. It can manage the 0-100km/h sprint time in a reasonable 11.1 seconds, or average as little as 15.1kWh/100km of electricity consumption.

Standard features include vehicle-to-load (V2L) external appliance charging, keyless entry/start, a 10.1-inch central display, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and a decent wedge of advanced driver-assist systems including automatic braking tech. Boot capacity is just 308 litres, betraying the compact sizing.

Opting for the Atto 1 Premium from $27,990 may be the better-value proposition for some, since it adds a larger, 43.2kWh battery that bumps up range to a handy 310km (WLTP) despite a 100kg weight gain, as well as a substantially punchier electric motor that ups outputs to 115kW and 220Nm. This slashes two seconds off the 0-100km/h time but uses 0.5kWh/100km more electricity.

The latter also ushers in more equipment, including adding 360-degree camera views, reach as well as tilt steering-wheel adjustment, front parking sensors, powered mirrors, powered and heated front seats, LED instead of halogen headlights, wireless charging and larger alloy wheels at 16-inches, though neither grade includes a spare wheel – just a fiddly tyre-repair kit.

Meanwhile, being a small SUV, the front-wheel-drive Atto 2 Dynamic from $31,990 offers a noticeably larger body on the same electric platform, with unique styling, more interior space (with room for five) and 72L of extra cargo capacity.

Tech upgrades include a 130kW/290Nm electric motor for a 7.9s 0-100km/h ability, as well as a 51.1kWh battery that boosts WLTP range to 345km.

Finally, from $36,990, the Atto 2 Premium’s specification aligns with its baby brother equivalent’s, and throws in a 12.8-inch touchscreen, panoramic glass roof with sunshade and 17-inch alloys, amongst other luxuries.

Given that the next cheapest small SUV EV is the Chery E5 at the same price, expect the BYDs to reignite EV sales across Australia.