Key Points
- BYD has cut the Atto 1 Essential's driveaway price to $19,990 nationwide, making it Australia's cheapest new car on sale, EV or petrol.
- The previous cheapest new car, the MG3 Vibe, costs $20,990 driveaway, about $1,000 more than the Atto 1 Essential.
- BYD will have more than 150 dealerships across Australia by the end of 2026, after opening about one new site a week over the past year.
BYD has cut the driveaway price of the Atto 1 Essential to $19,990 nationwide, making it Australia's cheapest new car on sale, ahead of every petrol rival as well as every other EV. BYD Australia announced the offer on 15 September 2026. It applies to the entry-level Atto 1 hatch and is available now.
BYD Australia Chief Operating Officer Stephen Collins said the price reflects the company's push to make EV ownership more attainable as households manage ongoing cost-of-living pressure. At $19,990 driveaway, the Atto 1 Essential undercuts the MG3 Vibe, previously Australia's cheapest new car, by about $1,000.
Price cut takes effect immediately
The $19,990 driveaway offer applies to the BYD Atto 1 Essential nationwide from 15 September 2026. BYD has not published an end date for the offer. Before the cut, the Essential's driveaway price varied by state, from $25,762 in the Northern Territory to $27,194 in Victoria.
BYD Atto 1 Essential: Change in Price
State | Previous driveaway price | New driveaway price | Saving |
Victoria (highest) | $27,194 | $19,990 | $7,204 (26%) |
Northern Territory (lowest) | $25,762 | $19,990 | $5,772 (22%) |
How the Atto 1 Essential compares to rival budget EVs
The Atto 1 Essential is not the only affordable EV on sale in Australia. The Geely EX2 and GAC Aion UT have both launched this year as rivals in the same budget segment. Comparing the cheapest variant of each shows how far BYD's offer price pulls the Atto 1 ahead.
Cheapest Small EVs in Australia Compared
Model | Cheapest variant | Price | WLTP range | Battery |
BYD Atto 1 | Essential | $19,990 driveaway | 220km | 30kWh LFP |
Geely EX2 | Complete | $26,490 + on-road costs | 252km | Not stated |
GAC Aion UT | Premium | $31,990 driveaway | 430km | 60kWh LFP |
Pricing is not entirely like for like. BYD and GAC advertise driveaway prices, while Geely's $26,490 figure for the EX2 Complete is a recommended retail price before on-road costs are added, so the actual driveaway price will be higher. Even accounting for that gap, the Atto 1 Essential remains the cheapest of the three by a wide margin.
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Australia's cheapest new car, EV or petrol
At $19,990 driveaway, the Atto 1 Essential is not just Australia's cheapest EV. It is now the cheapest new car of any kind on sale in the country, ahead of the MG3 Vibe, which had held the title at $20,990 driveaway.
Australia's Cheapest New Cars, September 2026
Model | Variant | Driveaway price | Powertrain |
BYD Atto 1 | Essential | $19,990 | Electric |
MG3 | Vibe | $20,990 | Petrol |
Kia Picanto | Sport | $22,290 | Petrol |
Suzuki Swift | Hybrid | $25,490 | Petrol hybrid |
Toyota Yaris | Ascent Sport | $33,556 | Petrol |
The comparison puts an EV at the top of Australia's cheapest-car rankings for the first time. It comes as manufacturers retreat from the sub-$20,000 segment, with rising manufacturing and compliance costs pushing petrol light-car pricing up across the board.
Atto 1 Essential specs and safety
The Atto 1 Essential is a compact hatch built for city and suburban driving. It uses a 30kWh LFP battery and 65kW motor, with BYD claiming up to 220km of range on the WLTP test cycle. The Essential can charge from 10 to 80 per cent in about 30 minutes on a suitable DC fast charger.
BYD says the Atto 1 combines advanced safety technology with everyday practicality, but has not detailed the full features list for the Essential grade in this release.
BYD's expanding Australian lineup
BYD has expanded rapidly since entering the Australian market in 2022. The company has launched eight new models or major variants since October last year, and expects to reach 10 by this October. That includes an expanded Atto 2 small SUV with a plug-in hybrid powertrain, and the M9, BYD's first premium people-mover for families and fleets.
BYD has also grown its dealer network, opening on average one new sales and service centre a week over the past 12 months, with a focus on regional and rural areas. The company expects to have more than 150 dealerships across Australia by the end of 2026.
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About the author
Danny is a consultant and entrepreneur working at the cutting edge of the electric vehicle and energy transition. He is passionate about educating and helping consumers make better decisions through data.
