Snapshot
- Two battery capacities
- From $44,990 drive-away
- In-house finance availale
BYD’s local distributor, EVDirect, has launched its long-awaited first mass market EV, the Atto 3 with a headline drive-away price of $44,990.
As long as you live in Tasmania.
From launch there are two versions available: the 50kWh battery-equipped Atto 3, which has a base price of $44,381, and the 60kWh, which starts at $47,381. All prices appear to be before any state-based incentives.
The NSW drive-away price for the 50kWh battery comes out at $47,110, the ACT $45,607, Queensland $45,984, Victoria $47,131, SA $46,784 and WA $47,931.
At a red carpet event tonight in Sydney, EVDirect CEO Luke Todd announced a $500 million finance deal with Taurus Motor Finance, and is offering in-house finance at 4.99 per cent – equating to around $200 per week over five years.
While the company has no dealerships and all transactions are online, deliveries and servicing are via MyCar services centres (formerly Kmart Tyre and Auto).
Additionally, EVDirect signed an agreement to raise $200 million via a green bond.
Todd also told Wheels this week that EVDirect has the capability to produce 15,000 Atto 3s for the Australian market with the option to double capacity should demand outstrip supply.
The Atto 3 is a front-wheel-drive compact SUV and will go into battle with its Chinese compatriot, the MG ZS EV, currently in the process of getting a facelift, range boost and significant specification improvement.
With a single 150kW/310Nm electric motor up front, the Atto 3 will accelerate to 100km/h in a claimed 7.3 seconds
BYD’s Blade battery powers both versions. The 50kWh has a WLTP range of 320 kilometres and the 60kWh 420km, with NEDC figures coming out 20 per cent higher. Both have a longer claimed range than the MG and, if accurate, are competitive with more expensive offerings from Polestar, Volvo and Nissan.
BYD is offering a seven-year warranty for both the battery and the car and servicing is, again, through MyCar.
Although the car is based on BYD’s third-generation EV platform, DC charging maxes out at 80kW, some way below most of the competition, MG excepted. When charging at maximum velocity through its CCS2 port, the Atto 3 will charge in around 90 minutes.
Overall equipment levels appear generous, with electric front seats, a huge 12.8-inch media screen, which can rotate between portrait and landscape views, a solid safety package, sunroof, eight-speaker Dirac stereo and up to 1330 litres of cargo space.
The only available option on the Atto 3 is either grey or blue paint for $700, while white is free.
The Atto 3 is available to order now with a $1000 refundable deposit at evdirect.com.au
COMMENTS
Keyword: 2022 BYD Atto 3 pricing and features revealed for Australia