BYD Australia has provided a significant update on the long-standing charging compatibility issues affecting thousands of late 2022 and 2023 model Atto 3 owners across Australia.

According to a BYD spokesperson, a solution is finally within reach for owners who have been unable to charge their electric vehicles on Tesla's Version 3 and Version 4 superchargers.

This is a follow-up to my earlier zecar investigative story.

MORE▶️ BYD Developing BYD Atto 3 Retrofit Charging Harness to Fix Tesla V3/V4 Supercharger Issue

Atto 3 Charging Port

As the Plugshare checkins below show, BYD Atto 3's sold in Australia from 2024 onwards were manufactured to work with all existing V2 V3 V4 Tesla superchargers.

Plugshare checkins

The Fix is Coming

"BYD has developed a charging harness designed to enable Atto 3 vehicles to use Tesla's new V3 and V4 superchargers," a BYD Australia spokesperson confirmed. "The work for this modification has been completed and is currently under final review. Parts are now in Australia and the upgrade will be made available to customers through BYD service centers in the coming weeks."

This news will come as relief to the thousands of affected Atto 3 owners who have repeatedly encountered charging failures at Tesla supercharger locations across Australian highways and cities.

Regular check-ins on Plug Share consistently show frustrated BYD owners discovering their vehicles are incompatible with what has become Australia's most reliable and extensive fast-charging network.

Plugshare Checkins

Background to the Problem

The incompatibility issue stems from timing rather than negligence. When the Atto 3 launched in Australia, Tesla's V3 and V4 superchargers were exclusively available to Tesla vehicles. The network only opened to other electric vehicle brands in late 2023, after thousands of Atto 3s had already been sold and delivered to Australian customers.

Moonee Beach Tesla SuperchargersImage by - Neerav Bhatt

Standard automotive testing protocols often include manufacturers testing their vehicles with all major charging networks before launch. However, BYD Australia couldn't test compatibility with a charging network that wasn't accessible to non-Tesla vehicles at the time.

Communication Concerns

The primary criticism of BYD Australia's handling of this situation has been the lack of proactive communication to customers. Many Atto 3 owners only discovered the incompatibility after attempting to charge at Tesla superchargers and experiencing failures.

MORE▶️ Common BYD Atto 3 Problems

To date as far as zecar is aware, BYD Australia has not officially notified customers about the charging limitations affecting 2022 and 2023 model Atto 3 vehicles. Owners have typically learned about the issue through:

  • Failed charging attempts
  • BYD owner groups and forums
  • Automotive journalism and YouTube channels
  • Word of mouth from other EV owners

For customers who don't actively follow electric vehicle media or participate in owner communities, the charging incompatibility has come as an unwelcome surprise during road trips and charging attempts.

Implementation Challenges Ahead

With thousands of affected vehicles across Australia, the rollout of this charging harness retrofit presents significant logistical challenges. BYD service centers will need to manage a substantial influx of appointments, likely requiring some form of booking system to handle demand efficiently.

The impact will vary among owners. Those who primarily charge at home and drive within metropolitan areas may not prioritize the upgrade. However, for owners who regularly travel between cities or rely on superchargers near their homes or workplaces, this fix addresses a critical limitation.

MORE▶️ BYD Atto 3 Servicing and Maintenance Guide

Pricing and Availability

BYD Australia has not yet disclosed pricing for the charging harness retrofit. However, there is precedent for such fixes being provided at no cost to customers.

The early model BYD Seal faced similar Tesla supercharger compatibility issues, which were resolved through free updates at BYD service centers.

The company has indicated the upgrade will be available "in the coming weeks," suggesting implementation could begin in September 2025.

Looking Forward

This development represents a resolution to one of the most significant practical challenges facing BYD Atto 3 owners in Australia.

Access to Tesla's extensive supercharger network dramatically improves long-distance travel options and daily charging flexibility for affected vehicles.

BYD Australia is expected to provide more detailed information about the retrofit process, including booking procedures and any associated costs, through official channels in the coming weeks.

I will continue to monitor this developing story and provide updates as more information becomes available from BYD Australia.

Video Version of Story

About the author

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Neerav Bhatt

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Neerav Bhatt has been a technology journalist and photographer for over 20 years appearing in online, print, radio and TV media. His current focus is on helping Australians switch to electric vehicles as well as making their home fully electric, sustainable and climate resilient. Youtube: www.youtube.com/@NeeravBhatt Web: neeravbhatt.com

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