BYD Atto 3 price increases three months after launch

Key Points

BYD electric car price up by almost $4000
Features and specs unchanged
Current orders protected, as full production now ready in China factory

The BYD Atto 3 small electric SUV has been given a $3630 price jump across the range – three months after Australian deliveries first commenced.

Local third-party distributor EVDirect confirmed the news to customers today and promised existing orders will be protected from the price increase.

The Atto 3 with the Standard Range battery now starts from $48,011 before on-road costs and electric vehicle incentives, while the longer range Extended Range is priced from $51,011 before on-roads.

This represents a 7 per cent spike. If you live in South Australia, Victoria or Western Australia which have higher on-road costs (registration, stamp duty and CTP insurance), this means the drive-away price to enter into the BYD electric car will be above $50,000.

Check out Atto 3 owners review

Despite the increase, the Chinese-made electric SUV is still eligible for most EV state incentives (including Queensland's stricter $50,000 threshold) and the federal government’s fringe benefits tax (FBT) exemption scheme for fleets and novated leases.

No features or specifications have been changed for the 2023 model-year.

That’s despite EVDirect publishing a now redacted brochure hinting at the possibility of a new optional Forest Green colour and grippier Continental tyres for Australia.

The price gap is now wider between its closest rival, the recently facelifted MG ZS EV crossover, which priced from $44,990 to $48,990 drive-away for all states. Though, it has comparatively less features and claimed range as standard.

BYD Atto 3 in showroom interior and rear

View the full specs

The wider automotive industry has continued to been hit by increasing material costs – including in-demand lithium for EV battery packs – the ongoing semiconductor shortage, and COVID-related factory shutdowns in China.

The company registered 845 examples in November, making it the second best-selling EV in Australia for the month ahead of the popular Tesla Model 3 sedan and trailing the pricier Model Y crossover by almost 1000 cars.

This week, EVDirect CEO Luke Todd confirmed that full production capacity is now up and running in BYD’s Shenzhen factory with the dedicated assembly line for Australia able to produce 15,000 Atto 3s each month "if needed".

It has been a patchy start for the distributor after making numerous backflips around initial delivery, warranty and servicing promises.

EVDirect recommenced Atto 3 deliveries last month after resolving an Australian Design Rule compliance issue surrounding a lack of a middle-seat top tether point at the rear row.

The BYD Atto 3 Standard Range offers up to 345km of claimed WLTP range, whereas the $3000 dearer Extended Range has 420km of range – both using its proprietary lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) Blade Battery. The former isn’t expected to start customer deliveries until early next year.

It’s expected to be joined by the cheaper BYD Dolphin hatch in the first half of 2023 and Seal sedan in the second half.