1 million sold: Australia’s new ‘cheapest EV’

Chinese giant BYD is bringing the ‘cheapest EV ever’ to Australia in a move that could spell more trouble for rival carmakers.

BYD has announced plans to introduce four new models in Australia, a move that will worry rival brands with little on the horizon.

The Chinese green car giant has already made waves with its BYD Shark 6 ute, the Atto 3 small SUV, Seal sedan and Selion 6 and 7 SUVs.

Now the brand plans to introduce two compact EVs in Australia this year.

MORE: BYD’s Denza locked in for Australia

BYD’s Atto 2 is coming to Australia. Picture: Supplied

At the bottom end of the market, the BYD Atto 1 should be one of the cheapest EVs in Australia, with a price – yet to be confirmed – under $30,000.

Sold overseas as the BYD Seagull, the little hatchback has already attracted more than 1 million customers around the world.

It will be a little brother to the BYD Atto 2, a slightly larger EV.

MORE: Huge cost to be passed onto drivers

Micro BYD Seagull EV hatch is a fun machine that could have a tiny price in Australia.

The cars add to BYD’s range, rather than replacing the compact BYD Dolphin or Atto 3 EVs.

BYD Australia chief operating officer Stephen Collins said releasing “this volume of product at such a rapid pace is really unprecedented in my time in the automotive industry”.

“The Atto 1 will be Australia’s most affordable EV by some margin, opening the door for even more Australians to get behind the wheel of their own new energy vehicle,” he said.

“As we’ve seen with those incredible sales numbers overseas, we expect really strong pre-order interest locally.

“With our growing mix of PHEVs and pure EVs, what it proves is that BYD is committed to providing Australian consumers with choice in starting – or continuing – their new energy automotive journeys.

“When it comes to the Atto range, start believing the hype.”

The compact new models will be joined by a pair of plug-in hybrid SUVs next year.

MORE: New rules force change to tough ute

BYD electric cars waiting to be loaded to the automobile carrier BYD "Shenzhen". Photo: AFP / China OUT

The BYD Sealion 5 shapes up as a mid-sized SUV, while the BYD Sealion 8 is a seven-seat model, and the brand’s largest SUV. Full prices and specifications for the model have not been confirmed.

BYD’s model rollout rollows confirmation of the first two models in Australia from its Denza brand, a premium spin-off attempting to push BYD into more expensive territory.

The Chinese giant has sold more EVs than Tesla around the globe this year.