BYD Australia has indicated its new entry-level model – the BYD Atto 1 electric hatch – will be priced from around the $25,000 mark when it arrives next month (November 2025), which would make it Australia’s most affordable electric vehicle (EV).
Speaking with CarExpert at a recent BYD media event at the Lang Lang proving ground, BYD’s local operating chief Stephen Collins all but confirmed the new model’s price point.
“The customer feedback is that mid-$20,000 mark is the about the mark for those types of vehicles, and I think the spec we’re delivering and the entire package… it’s not just about the price, it’s about the value,” Mr Collins said.
CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Clickhereto get a great deal.
“I think around that mid-$20,000 [price point] is the sweet spot, and that [price] also I think will compete somewhat with near-new used cars. We’re not just looking at the micro segment in isolation, we think there’s a broader appeal.”
Measuring just 3990mm long and 1720mm wide, the BYD Atto 1 – known as the Seagull and Dolphin Surf in other markets – is actually closer in size to the Toyota Yaris light-car than the Kia Picanto micro-car.
Based on Mr Collins’ comments, however, it appears the all-electric city hatch will bisect its established rivals in terms of price positioning at base level, with the higher-spec Premium grade and its longer-range battery likely to be priced around the $30,000 mark.
Unlike the smaller Kia, the Atto 1 is expected to be awarded a five-star ANCAP safety rating given it recently achieved top marks in Euro NCAP testing against the latest 2025 criteria – noting ANCAP and Euro NCAP are affiliated.
The Atto 1 will be released alongside the larger Atto 2 small electric SUV, with the BYD range to be further bolstered by the Sealion 5 and Sealion 8 plug-in hybrid (PHEV) SUVs in the early stages of 2026.
Furthermore, BYD has confirmed its new Denza premium sister brand will start taking orders for its B5 and B8 large PHEV off-road SUVs in November, ahead of first deliveries before year’s end.
Stay tuned to CarExpert for the latest on BYD’s and Denza’s new models in the coming weeks.
MORE: Explore the BYD showroom