Australia’s cheapest EV falls below $20,000
The price of entry for electric cars in Australia has reached a new low, with Chinese manufacturer BYD dropping the price of its popular Atto 1 to $19,990 drive away.
The special-offer BYD Atto 1 Essential lands in showrooms subject to a $4000 discount from this week, as an EV boom in Australia sees electric cars outselling petrol and diesel cars for the first time.
The Atto 1 Essential – which until now has cost $23,990 drive away, making it Australia’s cheapest EV – is powered by 30kWh battery that delivers power to an electric motor on the front axle. Outputs are a modest 65kW and 175Nm, with a claimed power usage of 15.5kWh/100km for a range of 220km (WLTP).
Maximum DC charging rate is set at 65kW, correlating with a claimed 10-80 per cent top up in 30 minutes. AC charging is set at 11kW.
Naturally for the price it isn’t awash with standard features. It does come with 15-inch steel wheels, keyless entry and start, electrically heated and adjustable mirrors, faux leather steering wheel and upholstery, a seven-inch digital instrument cluster, 10.1-inch central touchscreen, reversing camera, digital radio and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android auto, a four-speaker sound system, halogen headlights (LEDs elsewhere) and one USB-C and one USB-A port.
A five-star ANCAP safety rating is correct and present, thanks in part to standard fitment of eight airbags and all the expected ADAS functions including adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, lane departure assistance, forward collision warning and traffic sign recognition.
The revised, special-offer price sets the Atto 1 further apart in price from the Geely EX2, which is currently Australia’s second-cheapest EV.
BYD Australia chief operating officer Stephen Collins said the lowered price marked a huge day for the EV segment.
"At a time when Australian families are carefully considering every household expense, we're committed to making vehicle ownership more attainable," Collins said.
"The BYD Atto 1 at $19,990 driveaway demonstrates our commitment to delivering outstanding value without compromising on technology, safety or quality.”
BYD Australia hasn’t indicated how long the special pricing offer will be available.
