BYD Australia has aggressively lowered the entry barrier to electric vehicle ownership, confirming a new $19,990 nationwide drive-away price for the base-grade Atto 1 Essential.
The pricing adjustment officially makes the compact hatch Australia’s most affordable new car outright, significantly undercutting internal combustion rivals like the MG3 while establishing a new baseline for the local EV market.
Equipped with a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery, the Atto 1 Essential delivers a claimed 220km of driving range on the WLTP test cycle, positioning it primarily as a zero-emissions urban commuter. A single front-mounted electric motor produces 65kW and 175Nm, with 0-100km/h claimed in 11.1 seconds.
While BYD’s accompanying press material prominently showcases the top-spec Premium variant finished in the optional ‘Pine Lime’ paintwork, the $19,990 drive-away offer applies strictly to the entry-level Essential (the white/cream car pictured above). That’s a big price drop from the previous $23,990 figure, which excluded on-road costs (about $26,914 on the road for NSW buyers, for example).
BYD Australia chief operating officer, Stephen Collins, noted the aggressive pricing structure is designed to ease the transition to electric mobility amid ongoing cost-of-living pressures.
“At a time when Australian families are carefully considering every household expense, we’re committed to making vehicle ownership more attainable. The BYD ATTO 1 at $19,990 drive-away demonstrates our commitment to delivering outstanding value without compromising on technology, safety or quality.”
The aggressive pricing of the Atto 1 caps off a massive 12-month expansion for the Chinese manufacturer. Since October last year, BYD has introduced eight new models or major variants locally, including the recent Seal 6. The brand’s showroom portfolio will expand to 10 vehicles next month with the introduction of the Atto 2 plug-in ‘super hybrid’ small SUV and the M9 premium people-mover.
To support the rapidly expanding product lineup, BYD Australia is also accelerating its physical footprint. The company has been opening an average of one new sales and service centre per week, with a heavy focus on regional and rural areas, and expects to operate more than 150 dealerships nationwide by the end of the year.
