BYD cuts Dolphin, Atto 3 prices to offer Australia’s cheapest EV
The global EV war continues to rage in Australia and a fresh twist has resulted in great news for buyers.
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The electric car price war has taken a new turn, with BYD responding to fierce competition by cutting the starting price of its Dolphin EV to $29,990 plus on-road costs.
It comes as a fresh batch of Government-backed finance makes it easier to get hold of green cars.
Responding to aggressive price strategies brought by rival brands MG and GWM, BYD has unveiled pared-back “Essential” versions of the BYD Dolphin and BYD Atto 3 that reduce costs by dropping some features.
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The BYD Dolphin Essential, on sale from $29,990 plus on-roads, undercuts the regular version’s $38,890 price tag.
It has the same 44.9kWh battery with 340km of claimed range as the regular Dolphin, but misses out on luxuries such as heated seats, a sunroof and premium tyres.
The entry point for the larger BYD Atto 3 has dropped from $44,499 to $39,990 through a new Essential model that removes its heated seats, powered tailgate and sunroof while adopting a smaller touchscreen and smaller tyres.
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BYD chief executive David Smitherman said the brand hoped to make it “more affordable for Australians to drive their first ever EV”.
“Our team had a really good look at how can we support Australian consumers in their transition to new energy vehicles and how do we help in this cost-of-living crisis?” he said.
“I know there’s a lot of people that want to get into an EV, they want to jump into a vehicle powered by battery power, and for some people, that blockage has simply been financing and the cost of things … we’ve got game changer prices.
“This is a permanent retail price of $29,990 which we’re just so delighted to bring to market.”
More competition is on the way in the form of the compact Hyundai Inster EV, as well as new brands such as XPeng, Leapmotor, Geely, Smart, Deepal and Zeekr.
Climate Change minister Chris Bowen attributes the broader range of EVs to the Government’s New Vehicle Efficiency Standard, which will penalise brands that sell inefficient vehicles.
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Along with the popular EV Discount for leased vehicles, the Government has also funded low-interest finance for electric cars through the Clean Energy Finance Corporation.
Mr Bowen announced a further $50 million in funding this week to be supplied through Metro Finance, helping motorists save about $340 per year in repayments on a $60,000 electric car.
“Australian motorists deserve more choices of cleaner, cheaper-to-run cars and that’s exactly what the Albanese Government is delivering,” he said.
“Through the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard and our latest CEFC investment with Metro Finance, we are putting the power back in the hands of small business and helping to ease cost-of-living pressures.
“Clean technologies like EVs, solar, batteries and electric machinery are a great way for businesses to save on energy bills and decarbonise.”
Originally published as BYD cuts Dolphin, Atto 3 prices to offer Australia’s cheapest EV
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