Affordable Electric SUV Debut: BYD Announces New Model with a Starting Price of $A16,100
In an exciting development for the electric vehicle (EV) market in Australia, BYD, a leading Chinese automaker, is set to bring two electric SUV variants of the Atto 2 to the country by Q4 2025, promising a range exceeding 300 km on the WLTP cycle.
The most affordable variant of the Atto 2, currently available in China, is expected to be one of the most affordable electric SUVs in Australia. This compact, budget-oriented electric vehicle is optimized for city driving, featuring a 32 kWh battery that delivers an estimated range of around 250 km on the WLTP cycle.
Key specifications of this affordable variant include a performance-focused motor that delivers up to 290 Nm of torque, part of BYD's 8-in-1 powertrain. The powertrain integrates the motor, reducer, motor controller, on-board charger, DC-DC converter, high-voltage distribution unit, battery management system, and vehicle control unit.
While some advanced smart driving aids and features found in higher trims have been removed to maintain affordability, the new Atto 2 variant still offers Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) capability, providing up to 3.3 kW of AC power.
Riz Akhtar, a mechanical engineer and the founder of carloop, a company specializing in Australian EV data, insight reports, and trends, is excited about the arrival of the Atto 2 in Australia. Akhtar, who drives a red Tesla Model 3, has a passion for cars, particularly EVs, and wants to help reduce transport emissions in Australia.
BYD's decision to introduce more affordable electric SUVs such as the Atto 3 and Atto 2 is partially responsible for the growth in new energy vehicle (NEV) sales that the company has seen. The Atto 3, known as Yuan Plus in China, is already available in the Australian market.
While a 51 kWh battery pack version of the Atto 2 exists, it is not coming to the market yet. This larger battery pack would power a 130 kW front-mounted motor in the Atto 2, offering a longer range.
The Atto 2 model comes equipped with BYD's e-Platform 3.0, which uses Cell-to-Body (CTB) construction. This platform is shared across all variants of the Atto 2, regardless of pricing.
In summary, the entry-level BYD Atto 2 variant is a compact, budget-oriented electric SUV optimized for city driving, with a smaller battery and shorter range, fewer advanced features, and a very competitive price aimed at new car buyers focusing on affordable urban mobility. The arrival of this vehicle in Australia is a significant step forward in the adoption of electric vehicles in the country.
- The Atto 2, an upcoming electric SUV by BYD, is projected to be one of the most budget-friendly options in Australia's electric vehicle market, thanks to its alignment with the automotive industry's focus on affordability and urban mobility.
- The availability of the Atto 2 in Australia, along with other electric vehicles, is expected to fuel growth in the finance sector, as more people choose electric cars, creating a demand for financial solutions that cater to electric vehicle ownership.
- Technology advancements in the transportation industry, such as BYD's 8-in-1 powertrain, provide a performance-driven experience even in entry-level electric vehicles like the Atto 2, setting the stage for a smoother transition to electric-vehicles in people's lifestyles.
- With the arrival of the Atto 2, Australian consumers will have an increased choice in terms of the variety of electric vehicles, include cars like Tesla Model 3, pushing the automotive industry and battery technologies to strive for further innovations and improvements in electric vehicles.
