2026 BYD Atto 1 to become Australia’s cheapest EV at about $25,000

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.

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“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.