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Review
2026 BYD Atto 1: price, specs and release date in Australia
RACV
November 13, 2025
The 2026 BYD Atto 1 is set to arrive before the end of 2025 as Australia’s cheapest electric car, priced from just $23,990 plus on-road costs. The compact BYD Atto 1 city hatchback could be the breakthrough model that drives an increase in affordable electric vehicle sales across Australia.
The 2026 BYD Atto 1 has officially been confirmed as Australia’s cheapest electric car, with pricing starting from just $23,990 plus on-road costs.
Set to arrive before the end of 2025, the Atto 1's pricing continues BYD's aggressive push into the Australian market by undercutting rivals like the GWM Ora and MG MG4 by a clear margin. The Atto 1 electric hatch joins the expanding BYD lineup as its most affordable EV yet, sitting below the BYD Dolphin (from $29,990) and the BYD Atto 2 SUV (from $31,990).
Both the BYD Atto 1 and Atto 2 will launch locally by late 2025, further cementing the brand’s reputation for delivering high-value, low-cost electric cars that challenge legacy brands on price, technology and performance.
In this article, we explore everything from pricing and variants to range, specifications, and technology, helping you decide if the BYD Atto 1 is the right choice for your next EV.
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When does the BYD Atto 1 go on sale in Australia?
The 2026 BYD Atto 1 is available for order now in Australia from the brand's website and growing number of dealers. It will go on sale alongside the previously announced 2026 BYD Atto 2 small SUV, handing the Chinese brand two new highly affordable entrants for those looking to transition to an electric car.
The 2026 BYD Atto 1 price has set a new benchmark for affordable electric cars in Australia, starting from just $23,990 plus on-road costs. This aggressive pricing undercuts all rivals and makes the Atto 1 the cheapest electric car in Australia, reinforcing BYD’s push to dominate the budget EV market.
Industry watchers had tipped a starting price closer to $25,000, but BYD’s lower entry point signals a clear intent to convert more Aussie drivers to electric and disrupt the small car segment.
Two variants have been confirmed for the Atto 1 line-up, the affordable Atto 1 Essential ($23,990 plus on-road costs) and the Atto 1 Premium ($27,990 plus on-road costs).
The BYD Atto 1 electric city car features a rotating touchscreen in the middle of the dash.
What is the range of the BYD Atto 1?
The 2026 BYD Atto 1 will be available with a front-mounted electric motor and lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery, with two combinations available in Australia.
The price-leading BYD Atto 1 Essential will feature a 65kW/175Nm electric motor paired with a 30kWh LFP battery, enabling a 220km claimed driving range based on the WLTP standard. The Atto 1 with this combo can accelerate from 0-100km/h in a lacklustre 11.1 seconds, but performance is not its key selling point.
The BYD Atto 1 Premium has a more powerful 115kW/220Nm e-motor combined with a bigger 43.2kWh LFP battery, extending the range to 310km (WLTP) and reducing the 0-100km/h acceleration time to 9.1 seconds.
In terms of charging, both Atto 1 variants can handle AC charging up to 11kW with an EV home charger. With DC charging at public fast-charge stations, the Atto 1 Essential with the smaller 30.08kWh battery can handle up to 65kW DC, while the Premium model with the 43.2kWh power pack can manage 85kW DC.
With either battery, BYD says the Atto 1 can charge from 10 to 80 per cent in around 30 minutes with a DC charger. At 11kW three-phase AC power, a full refill from 0-100% is said to be possible in 3.5 hours..
The BYD Atto 1 is a compact EV suited to city driving.
BYD Atto 1 will claim a driving range up to 310km (WLTP).
Digital instrument panel for the BYD Atto 1 driver.
Four seats only in the BYD Atto 1, with two across the rear.
Compact cargo area for BYD Atto 1, designed for city living.
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BYD Atto 1 design and specification
The 2026 BYD Atto 1 is based on the carmaker’s e-Platform 3.0 architecture and is a compact five-door city car that seats only four occupants. It will be easy to manoeuvre around town, measuring 3990mm long, 1720mm wide and 1590mm tall, with a 2500mm wheelbase.
This is quite a bit shorter and narrower than the BYD Dolphin hatchback, which is 4290mm long and 1770mm wide, although the Atto 1 stands 20mm taller than the Dolphin (1570mm).
The five-seater Dolphin has a longer 2700mm wheelbase, which translates to more interior room and luggage volume, the latter at 345 litres with the rear seats upright – extending to 1310L with them folded. The Atto 1 isn’t that far behind, holding 308/1037L with the 50/50-split rear seats up/down.
Aiding practicality, BYD says the Atto 1 also features 20 storage areas throughout the cabin – from cup holders between the front seats to a cargo hold beneath the boot floor that’s ideal for charging cables.
Full Australian specifications are yet to be announced but expect standard equipment at the base level to include LED daytime running lights, vegan leather seat upholstery, keyless entry/start (with NFC near field communications digital key passes), air-conditioning, power mirrors, a rearview camera and rear parking sensors. See our safety and technology section below for further highlights.
The Premium model is expected to feature LED headlights (up from halogen on the Essential), 16-inch alloy wheels (upgrading from 15-inch steel rims), tinted rear windows, electric front seat adjustment (with heating), rain-sensing windscreen wipers and a 360-degree surround-view camera.
The Atto 1 will come with BYD Australia’s six-year/150,000km factory warranty for the vehicle, extending to eight years/160,000km for the high-voltage battery.
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What safety and technology features on BYD Atto 1?
Australian versions of the 2026 BYD Atto 1 will have dual front airbags, front side airbags and curtain airbags for the front and rear compartments, but a centre airbag between the front occupants is not expected.
Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) will include adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, lane departure assist and automatic headlights with high beam control. A tyre pressure monitoring system will also be offered, but don’t count on a spare wheel in the vehicle – a tyre inflation kit will be used instead.
In Europe, where the Atto 1 is known as the Dolphin Surf, the vehicle has achieved a maximum five-star Euro NCAP safety rating based on testing conducted this year. That is likely to carry over for Australian versions under the closely related ANCAP testing regime.
Technology highlights in the Atto 1 will include a 10.1-inch rotating infotainment touchscreen, 7.0-inch digital driver’s display, voice control, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity and Vehicle to Load (V2L) functionality that allows for electrical appliances to be plugged into the car (up to 3.3kW).
Wireless phone charging is expected to be offered on the top-spec Premium version, but not on the base Essential.
The information provided is general advice only. Before making any decisions please consider your own circumstances and the Product Disclosure Statement and Target Market Determinations. For copies, visit racv.com.au. As distributor, RACV Insurance Services Pty Ltd AFS Licence No. 230039 receives commission for each policy sold or renewed. Product(s) issued by Insurance Manufacturers of Australia Pty Ltd ABN 93 004 208 084 AFS Licence No. 227678.
