What BYD electric cars are coming to Australia? Two new models confirmed for 2024, more coming in 2025

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The BYD Atto 3 small SUV is the company’s first mass-market EV in Australia, with one highly specified model and two battery sizes starting from $48,011 before on-road costs and state incentives.

It launched in September 2022 and has quickly become on of the most popular EVs in Australia – surpassing its direct rival, the refreshed MG ZS EV.

Called the Yuan Plus in China, the crossover rides on a dedicated ‘e-Platform 3.0’, integrates the brand’s thin Blade Battery cells, with Standard Range and Extended Range sizes offering 345km to 420km of range, and and features vehicle-to-load (V2L) as standard.

👉2023 BYD Atto 3 price and specs

👉2022 BYD Atto 3 Extended Range owner review

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Next in line is BYD’s MG4 and GWM Ora rivalling small EV hatchback – called the BYD Dolphin.

The BYD Dolphin is priced from $38,890 before on-road costs and incentives, as Australia's cheapest EV to date with two high-spec variants available. First deliveries will start from around September 2023.

Two LFP Blade Battery size options offer between 340km to 427km of claimed WLTP driving range depending on the variant.

Like the Atto 3 electric SUV, it features a quirky two-tone interior with a marine-like theme, signature 12.8-inch rotating infotainment system, and a 360-degree camera system.

👉2023 BYD Dolphin price and specs

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The BYD Seal electric sedan launched in December 2023, taking on the popular Tesla Model 3, Polestar 2 and Hyundai Ioniq 6.

Priced from $49,888 to $68,748 before on-road costs, the Seal provides between 460KM and 570KM of claimed WLTP driving range. Pre-orders are now open online with deliveries expected in December 2023. The quickest model offers a 0-100km/h sprint in just 3.8 seconds.

There are three variants to choose from, with two battery and motor configurations:

• Dynamic with single motor RWD 61.44 kWh LFP Blade battery
• Premium with single motor RWD 82.5 kWh LFP Blade battery
• Performance with dual motors AWD 82.5 kWh LFP Blade battery

The BYD electric sedan also sits on the same third-generation EV platform with a long 2920mm wheelbase and small frunk storage space.

It boasts a large 15.6-inch central rotating touchscreen, a 10.25-inch driver’s instrument display, debuts active safety assistance systems based on the Nvidia Drive Hyperion computing platform, and has flush pop-out exterior door handles.

➡️MORE: 2024 BYD Seal Price and Specs: Tesla Model 3 Competitor Launches Down Under

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The BYD Sealion 6 SUV, known as the BYD Song Plus in China and Seal U in Europe launched in Australia in May 2024, positioning itself as an alternative to popular medium SUVs such as the Tesla Model Y, Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and Toyota RAV4 Hybrid.

Priced from $48,990 to $52,990 before on-road costs, the Sealion 6 provides up to 92km of claimed NEDC electric range and up to 1100km range in hybrid mode. It is underpinned by BYD's proprietary DM-i technology which enables it to operate in three modes: pure EV, HEV series mode and HEV parallel.

▶️MORE: 2024 BYD Sealion 6 Price and Specs

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The BYD Shark 6 plug-in hybrid (PHEV) Ute, BYD's answer to the Ford Ranger and Toyota Hilux – has entered showrooms with a special introductory price of $57,990 before on-road costs for the first 4000 units.

It will make the Shark 6 comparable or lower in price to mid-specification dual-cab 4x4 utes such as the Ford Ranger XLS Bi-Turbo (from $57,630), Toyota HiLux SR5 manual ($60,670), Isuzu D-Max X-Rider (from $59,500), Mazda BT-50 XTR (from $59,280), Mitsubishi Triton GLS (from $59,090) and Nissan Navara ST-X (from $58,945)

The first release will be a plug-in-hybrid EV (PHEV) featuring a petrol-electric powertrain known as "Dual Motor Intelligence" (DMI), allowing for 100km in pure electric mode and approximately 1000km when combined with the petrol tank. A fully electric model is expected about a year later. The same plug-in hybrid technology is also present in BYD's U8 luxury SUV, which boasts a powerful combination of a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine and four electric motors. Specifics about the ute's powertrain are still pending, but it will include a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine.

Pricing has not be confirmed but given BYD's recent ability to price its EVs similar to petrol equivalents, its possible it could do the same with the BYD Ute.

▶️MORE: BYD Shark 6 Ute price and specs

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The BYD Sealion 7 has been confirmed for both the Australian and New Zealand market. It will join the other models in BYD's Ocean series, including the Seagull, Dolphin, and Seal models. The coupe SUV will feature the latest innovations, including the DiSus active suspension system, which is part of BYD's next-generation technology suite.

The Sealion 7 will be built on BYD's dedicated EV platform, e-Platform 3.0, similar to the Seal sedan. Two European versions are anticipated: the Comfort model with a 72kWh battery and the Design model with an 87kWh battery. The Sealion 7's dimensions closely match those of the Tesla Model Y, making it a formidable contender in the electric SUV market.

Pricing has yet to be confirmed, but it is expected to undercut the Tesla Model Y, similar to how the BYD Seal has undercut the Tesla Model 3.

▶️MORE: BYD Sealion 7: Tesla Model Y Competitor Confirmed for Australia

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The Dolphin Mini, known as the Seagull in other markets, is poised to become Australia's most affordable EV and potentially start at just below $30k.

The trademark 'Dolphin Mini' was recently registered, a strong sign that this model could be coming down under. BYD Australia however has yet to officially confirm this.

Boasting battery packs of either 30kWh or 38kWh, the vehicle is anticipated to cover up to 405km on a single charge, marking a significant offering in terms of range.

Sharing the same dedicated EV platform, e-Platform 3.0, as the Seal, Atto 3 and Dolphin, the Dolphin Mini measures 3780mm long, 1715mm wide and 1540mm tall. It will be the smallest BYD vehicle to go on sale in Australia.

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BYD recently unveiled its new electric coupe SUV, the BYD Song L, which is set to compete with the Tesla Model Y as well as over medium size SUVs like the Kia EV6 (which it has a striking resemblance to).

The Song L boasts impressive specifications, offering up to 385kW of power and up to 662km of range. It is slightly longer compared to the Model Y and sits on BYD's e-Platform 3.0 Architecture, which is shared with other models like the Dolphin, Seal, and Atto 3. The vehicle also features BYD's new DiSus-C Intelligent Damping Body Control System.

Customers can choose between two battery sizes with lithium iron phosphate (LFP) chemistry: a 71.8kWh battery providing a range of 550km and a larger 87.04kWh battery that allows for the maximum 662km range. The larger battery comes with two powertrain options: a single-motor rear-wheel drive or a dual-motor all-wheel drive, with the latter achieving a 0-100km/h time of just 4.3 seconds.

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The interior of the Song L includes a 15.6-inch rotating infotainment touchscreen, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, and a range of features such as semi-automatic parking assist, an interior fragrance system, and a 50-inch augmented reality head-up display. The vehicle is also equipped with a suite of active safety and driver assist technologies under the DiPilot banner.

Pricing for the Song L ranges from ¥220,000 (A$47,941) to ¥280,000 ($61,016), which is competitive with the Tesla Model Y's pricing in China. While the Song L has not been confirmed for the Australian market, BYD has plans to expand its local lineup, including the introduction of the Seal U and a PHEV ute next year, with a commitment to launch two new models annually.

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The Bao 5, also referred to as the Fang Cheng Bao 5, is expected to be a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) with robust features that could make it a competitor to established models such as the LandCruiser Prado. With a blend of a 1.5-litre petrol engine and twin electric motors, it promises to deliver impressive performance and a 120km all-electric range, coupled with a 1200km total driving range when considering both the fuel tank and battery.

Dubbed a "super hybrid", the Fang Cheng Bao 5 stretches 4890mm in length, 1970mm in width and 1920mm in height, and it rides on a 2800mm wheelbase. That makes the two-row, five-seat SUV marginally smaller than a full-size three-row SUV.

The off-road stuff is covered by its ladder-frame chassis, complete with three differential locks, 18-inch Goodrich tyres, a decent-looking ride height, and the brand's Intelligent Hydraulic Body Control System, which can not only individually raise individual wheel heights by 200mm, but will also reportedly deliver a 200 per cent increase in stiffness when cornering.

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While the wheels are turning for BYD now in Australia, it seemingly had a very soft launch in 2021 with the release of the BYD e6 people mover and BYD T3 light commercial van EVs – which were priced at a sharp $39,999 and $34,950 before on-road costs respectively.

Both the e6 and T3 have been discontinued in Australia.

It’s believed the local distributor only sold a handful of both BYD cars, which are based on internal combustion engine underpinnings. Drive reports only 15 examples of the e6 and 50 examples of the T3 have been sold.

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Image by - BYD via Sina Weibo

Beyond the BYD Atto 3, Dolphin, Seal, Seal U and electric ute on this list, not much is known of BYD Australia and EVDirect's plans to bring additional models.

The Shenzhen automaker currently sells the BYD Tang seven-seater large SUV and BYD Han large sedan overseas – both of which were previously promised for Australia in early 2021 and have now been ruled out.

It's clear that plans have since changed. Amid the tight partnership with Eagers Automotive, the distributor has backtracked on its warranty promises and previously set above-average servicing costs – just days from first deliveries last year.