BYD reveals key details of the Atto 1, expected to be the cheapest electric car in Australia
BYD has revealed the full specifications of the upcoming Atto 1 electric hatchback and Atto 2 SUV ahead of the upcoming launch of the models next month.
The Atto 1 is expected to be Australia’s cheapest electric car at around $25,000, although the actual price will be revealed closer to the launch in mid-November. The Atto 2 is expected to be priced between the BYD Dolphin and the Atto 3 at around $35,000.
However, the most attention is paid to the Atto 1 due to its groundbreaking price. It will be available in two variants, the base level Essentials with a 30 kWh battery and also the top variant Premium with a 43.2 kWh battery. Small batteries are the key to a lower price, even if it means less range.
At the entry-level Atto 1, the Essential model will come with a 30 kWh BYD blade battery and up to 220 km of WLTP range. This variant will have a nominal energy consumption of 15.5 kWh/100 km.
The smaller battery in the Essential variant will power the front-mounted 65 kW motor and enable a sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in around 11.1 seconds.
As for charging, that 11kW AC charging is also on offer on the base model, which many city drivers who can rely on curbside charging options would welcome.
DC charging speeds of up to 65kW are also available with 30-80% times of around 25 minutes.
There will also be a top-of-the-line Premium variant with a larger 43.2kWh battery, good for a 310km WLTP range. This variant has a slightly higher consumption of 16 kWh/100 km.
This range-topping Atto 1 comes with a more powerful 115kW engine that cuts the same 0-100km/h sprint time by around 2 seconds to around 9.1 seconds.
Like the Essential model, the Premium offers 11 kW of AC charging as well as a top DC charging speed of up to 85 kW.
Charging this variant on a fast charger can help get the car from 30-80% in just 22 minutes.
Both variants also offer vehicle loading (V2L) capabilities, which many owners of this hatchback would welcome.
Overall size, the Atto 1 is just under 4 meters in length at 3,990mm. It also has a height of 1,590 mm.
Inside this model is a centered 10.1-inch infotainment screen. Like other BYDs, this screen rotates and includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for the owner’s convenience by taking their favorite apps into the car.
Like all other BYD vehicles on our market, it will be connected with a 4G SIM card, which will enable connectivity in the car on the go.
Four colors have been revealed locally, which would include Sprout Green, Apricity White, Cosmos Black and Arctic Blue.
The Atto 1 was officially unveiled at the Shanghai Motor Show in April 2023 as the BYD Seagull. Since then, the company has delivered over a million of these cars to customers in China and around the world.
We also had the chance to drive the Atto 1 locally at the test track in Victoria last week. In the available Premium variant, the car felt quite plush and well-built inside, with all the comfort features you’d expect from the brand.
Driving around the test track showed just how nimble the car really is and has a pretty good fun factor. It doesn’t have a lot of body roll in corners, and many drivers will be surprised by how well balanced it is on the road.
First impressions in Australia are pretty impressive and after driving this car a few times in China it’s easy to see how BYD has sold over a million of these cars in just over 2 years.
We look forward to spending more time with the car when it hits local roads in the coming months.
The model is expected to be officially launched in November, with pricing to be announced closer to that date.
Australian spec BYD Atto 1
Riz is the founder of Melbourne-based carloop, which specializes in Australian EV data, insights and trends. He is a mechanical engineer who spent the first 7 years of his career building transportation infrastructure before starting carloop. He has a passion for cars, especially EVs, and wants to help reduce transport emissions in Australia. He currently drives a red Tesla Model 3.