BYD Atto 1 Essential
- Power Type: Battery electric (BEV)
- Body Type: hatchback
- PowerTrain: FWD
- Power Output: 65 kW
PROS
- Very cheap for an EV, especially in Australia and Thailand.
- Fast charging and V2L (powering devices from the car) on the larger-battery trims.
- Nimble in town, with more cabin space than its size suggests.
CONS
- Climate controls sit in a fiddly touchscreen, and the driver assists are naggy.
- Range is short on the small-battery trims (about 220 km in Australia, 240 km WLTP in Thailand), and Australian cars are four-seaters only.
The BYD Atto 1 Essential is the base trim of BYD’s smallest car, a four-seat electric hatchback with five doors. It sits below the Dolphin and Atto 3 in the Australian range, with one 65 kW / 175 Nm motor driving the front wheels. Europe sells the same car as the Dolphin Surf. Here it’s the first four-seat EV city car since the Mitsubishi i-MiEV disappeared in 2013.
The battery is a 30 kWh LFP pack, 30.1 kWh usable by BYD’s figures (34 kWh gross), good for 220 km on the WLTP cycle. AC charging tops out at 11 kW, so a full charge takes about 3.5 hours. DC peaks at 65 kW, and BYD claims 10–80% in around 30 minutes. Some outlets say 30–80% in about 25 instead. One retailer lists a 35 kWh battery, 320 km NEDC and 7 kW AC / 40 kW DC, which doesn’t match BYD’s local specs and likely describes a different market. I haven’t used those numbers.
List price is A$23,990 plus on-road costs, roughly A$25,762–27,060 drive-away depending on the state. Since 15 September 2026 BYD has been selling it for A$19,990 drive-away nationwide, with the offer set to end on 15 December unless extended. At 220 km it’s a commuter and second car, mainly for people who can charge at home. It’s a weak choice for regular highway trips. In BYD’s own range it sits under the Dolphin (A$29,990 before on-road costs) and the Atto 2 (from A$31,990), alongside the Atto 1 Premium (43.2 kWh, 310 km WLTP, A$27,990). The closest rival is the Geely EX2, the next-cheapest EV at A$26,490 recommended retail before on-road costs. The MG4 EV Urban (A$29,990) is bigger and pricier. The petrol MG3 Vibe is the one other new car advertised at A$19,990 drive-away.
BYD Atto 1 Essential Images
Full Electric Vehicle Specifications
MODEL
| Full Name | BYD Atto 1 Essential |
| Segment | City car / A-segment |
| Class A collection of items, goods, or services grouped together by common attributes | Mini EV hatchback |
| Warranty | 6 yr/150,000 km vehicle; 8 yr/160,000 km battery |
PRICE & AVAILABILITY
| Base Price | A$23,990 + on-roads |
| Availability Status | On sale since late 2025 |
| Markets Available | Australia, NZ |
POWER
| Fuel Type A fuel type is the specific source of energy or chemical substance used to power a vehicle, machinery, or heating system | Electric (BEV) |
| Engine An engine is a machine that converts energy (such as heat, fuel, or steam) into mechanical force, power, and motion | None |
| Generator generator is a device, machine, or person that produces or creates something, most commonly a machine that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy. | None |
| Battery Capacity | 30 kWh LFP Blade |
| Range | 220 km WLTP |
| DC Charging | 65 kW |
| Charging Time |
(10–80% in ~30 min) (AC) ~3.5 hrs full |
| AC Charging | 11 kW |
| Energy Consumption | ~137 Wh/km |
| Regen Braking | Not Listed |
PERFORMANCE
| Power Output | 65 kW |
| 0–100 km/h The acceleration numbers are an easy way to compare car performance. We list either time from 0 to 100 km/h or time from 0 to 60mph, depending on which number(s) the manufacturers provide. The lower the acceleration time, the higher performance the car is. | 11.1 s |
| Motor Configuration | Single front, FWD |
| Torque | 175 Nm |
| Top Speed | Not Listed |
BODY & DIMENSIONS
| Dimensions |
3990×1720×1590 mm, Wheelbase - 2500 mm |
| Platform | e-Platform 3.0 |
| Suspensions | Not Listed |
| Boot Capacity | 308 L (1,078 L seats folded) |
| Kerb Weight | From 1,294 kg |
| Ground Clearance | 150 mm |
| Bonnet Capacity | None |
| Sunroof | None listed |
| Wheels | 15" (175/65) |
| Towing | 0 kg braked |
SAFETY & DRIVER ASSISTANCE
| Airbags | None Listed |
| ADAS Features | Standard driver assists; no blind-spot monitoring |
| Autonomous Driving Level | Level 2 |
| Crash Test Ratings | Not ANCAP-rated at launch; Dolphin Surf got 5★ Euro NCAP |
| Over-the-Air Updates | Yes |
COMFORT & SEATING
| Seating Capacity | 4 |
| Seat Material | None Listed |
DISPLAYS & CONNECTIVITY
| Centre Screen | None Listed |
| Mirror Link | None Listed |
| Driver's Display | None Listed |
| Head-Up Display | None |
TECHNOLOGY
| Vehicle-to-Load | Not confirmed |
| Vehicle-to-Grid | No |
ADDITIONAL SPECS
| Headlight Type | None Listed |
| Navigation System | None Listed |
| Remote Parking | None Listed |
Note
| Additional Notes | Australia’s cheapest new EV; ~A$19,990 driveaway in some deals |
User Reviews
Disclaimer Note
Specifications sourced from manufacturer data and may reflect WLTP, CLTC, or EPA test conditions. Import prices in your local are estimates based on grey-market landing costs and exclude duties, clearing fees, and local taxes. Figures are subject to change without notice. Always verify with your local importer before purchase. We can not guarantee that the information on this page is 100% correct
