BYD has fired back into the electric vehicle (EV) price war, with a new entry-level version of it Dolphin hatchback that drops below $30,000.
The new Essential version of the Dolphin is priced from $29,990 plus on-road costs – $6900 cheaper than the now mid-range entry-level Dynamic – and a number of features have been removed to get it to this price.
BYD has applied the same treatment to its popular ones Atto 3 crossover, one of which Essential version is priced at $39,990 plus on-road costs.
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While mechanically unchanged from what used to be the entry-level Dolphin and Atto 3, the Essential versions lose features such as a panoramic sunroof, heated seats, a wireless phone charger and data plans.
Orders have opened for the Essential models, ahead of delivery from March.
Like the Dolphin Dynamic, the Dolphin Essential features a single front-mounted 70 kW/180 Nm electric motor, powered by a 44.9 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery. The claimed WLTP range is 340 km.
The Atto 3 Essential features a single 150kW/310Nm electric motor at the front and a 49.9kWh Blade battery, with a claimed range of 345km.
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Dolphin Dynamically depicted
We reached out to BYD’s local distributor EVDirect for more information about the Essential models and for images.
With the new entry-level Dolphin, BYD takes the crown for Australia’s cheapest EV.
Last year, MG offered its rival MG 4 51 Excite for $30,990 and later for $32,990. It’s now offered for a drive-away price of $34,990.
GWM’s slower-selling Ora hatch is currently priced at $33,990, while Nissan’s Leaf hatch is priced at $34,990.
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