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The BYD (EV) Thread
- Thread starter FiestaST
- Start date
FiestaST
Honorary Master
FiestaST
Honorary Master
BYD’s Affordable EV: How Much Will the Atto 1 Cost in SA?
When it arrives in South Africa, the BYD Atto 1 will be one of the most affordable electric vehicles in our market, and reports from China have suggested how much it could cost.
We recently reported the BYD (Build Your Dreams) Atto 1 is heading to South Africa, with the Chinese automaker’s all-electric city car scheduled to launch in our market as soon as September 2025. In addition, once it arrives on our shores, it is expected to be one of the most affordable electric vehicles (EVs) in South Africa. Though, at the time, pricing for this compact EV remained unconfirmed.
However, while the Shenzhen automaker’s South African arm has remained tight-lipped about how much the Atto 1 will cost once it arrives here, reports from its home market have suggested what we can expect. So, how much will the Atto 1 cost in South Africa?
BYD Atto 1 Price in SA
According to reports from China, BYD is hoping to launch the Atto 1 in South Africa for under R400 000, which will make it one of the most affordable EV passenger cars in our market.
If you weren’t aware, the cheapest EV currently available in South Africa is the Dayun S5, which is priced from R399 900, and the least expensive BYD EV, the Dolphin, costs R539 900. In addition to launching a more accessible EV in South Africa, BYD has recently partnered with Absa to introduce new vehicle finance solutions aimed at boosting the adoption of EVs in our country.
www.carmag.co.za
When it arrives in South Africa, the BYD Atto 1 will be one of the most affordable electric vehicles in our market, and reports from China have suggested how much it could cost.
We recently reported the BYD (Build Your Dreams) Atto 1 is heading to South Africa, with the Chinese automaker’s all-electric city car scheduled to launch in our market as soon as September 2025. In addition, once it arrives on our shores, it is expected to be one of the most affordable electric vehicles (EVs) in South Africa. Though, at the time, pricing for this compact EV remained unconfirmed.
However, while the Shenzhen automaker’s South African arm has remained tight-lipped about how much the Atto 1 will cost once it arrives here, reports from its home market have suggested what we can expect. So, how much will the Atto 1 cost in South Africa?
BYD Atto 1 Price in SA
According to reports from China, BYD is hoping to launch the Atto 1 in South Africa for under R400 000, which will make it one of the most affordable EV passenger cars in our market.
If you weren’t aware, the cheapest EV currently available in South Africa is the Dayun S5, which is priced from R399 900, and the least expensive BYD EV, the Dolphin, costs R539 900. In addition to launching a more accessible EV in South Africa, BYD has recently partnered with Absa to introduce new vehicle finance solutions aimed at boosting the adoption of EVs in our country.
BYD’s Affordable EV: How Much Will the Atto 1 Cost in SA?
An affordable EV in SA? Yes! According to reports from China, BYD is hoping to launch the Atto 1 at a price below...
www.carmag.co.za
FiestaST
Honorary Master
BYD Atto 1 (2025) Launch Review
Ciro De Siena is currently in China as a guest of BYD and he got a first taste of what will be South Africa’s cheapest EV when it launches in September 2025.
Meet the BYD Atto 1, or Dolphin Mini or Dolphin Surf, depending on which market you’re based in. Arguably, the biggest criticism of electric cars is the pricing as South Africa’s taxes and tariffs are punishingly high. We touched on how new car taxes have hurt consumer pockets here.
But, there’s light at the end of the tunnel as proper electric vehicles are about to get to prices expected to rival Polo Vivo – under R350 000! This is the BYD Dolphin Mini, which will be sold as the Atto 1 in South Africa. Based on what we’ve been told here in Zhengzhou, China and can calculate, this car will be SA’s cheapest EV by some margin and officially goes on sale in September of this year.
BYD Atto 1 Powertrain
It’s a sharp-looking thing, that’s for sure. For scale, it’s about the same size as the Mini Cooper, but offers a surprisingly spacious interior. For the number fanatics, it measures 3 990 mm in length and has a width of 1 720 mm.
The Atto 1 features a single motor which drives the front wheels. The 30 kWh variant offers 65 kW (0-100 kph in 11.1-12.1 seconds), while the 42.2 kWh high-spec offers 115 kW (0-100 kph in 9.1 seconds).
From our understanding, there’ll be two battery sizes offered; 30 kWh and 42.2 kWh. As a reminder, these are BYD’s Blade batteries, renowned for their durability. Based on the CLTC (China Light-duty vehicle Test Cycle), ranges from 220 km to 322 km depending on derivative, while the higher-spec battery has a claimed range of 310 km. Sounds fine for urban commuting then, but interestingly, BYD is claiming 507 km of urban range based on the WLTP cycle.
Ciro De Siena is currently in China as a guest of BYD and he got a first taste of what will be South Africa’s cheapest EV when it launches in September 2025.
Meet the BYD Atto 1, or Dolphin Mini or Dolphin Surf, depending on which market you’re based in. Arguably, the biggest criticism of electric cars is the pricing as South Africa’s taxes and tariffs are punishingly high. We touched on how new car taxes have hurt consumer pockets here.
But, there’s light at the end of the tunnel as proper electric vehicles are about to get to prices expected to rival Polo Vivo – under R350 000! This is the BYD Dolphin Mini, which will be sold as the Atto 1 in South Africa. Based on what we’ve been told here in Zhengzhou, China and can calculate, this car will be SA’s cheapest EV by some margin and officially goes on sale in September of this year.
BYD Atto 1 Powertrain
It’s a sharp-looking thing, that’s for sure. For scale, it’s about the same size as the Mini Cooper, but offers a surprisingly spacious interior. For the number fanatics, it measures 3 990 mm in length and has a width of 1 720 mm.
The Atto 1 features a single motor which drives the front wheels. The 30 kWh variant offers 65 kW (0-100 kph in 11.1-12.1 seconds), while the 42.2 kWh high-spec offers 115 kW (0-100 kph in 9.1 seconds).
From our understanding, there’ll be two battery sizes offered; 30 kWh and 42.2 kWh. As a reminder, these are BYD’s Blade batteries, renowned for their durability. Based on the CLTC (China Light-duty vehicle Test Cycle), ranges from 220 km to 322 km depending on derivative, while the higher-spec battery has a claimed range of 310 km. Sounds fine for urban commuting then, but interestingly, BYD is claiming 507 km of urban range based on the WLTP cycle.
FiestaST
Honorary Master
MotorMatters review of the Sealion 7
FiestaST
Honorary Master
Introducing the BYD Atto 1: South Africa's most affordable electric car arriving soon
From an initial slow uptake of Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) in South Africa, they’re starting to make some inroads with a substantial year-on-year growth, albeit from a low base.
Mostly, South Africans are turning to hybrid cars, with full BEVs seen as being expensive, and despite a relatively high number of charging stations, range anxiety is still a thing.
Urban EV
However, BEVs do make sense as a city runabout, which makes the announcement by BYD that it will be introducing the compact EV Atto 1 to South Africa, called the Dolphin Mini elsewhere, an interesting proposition.
According to BYD, it’s tailor-made for urban life to make EV ownership affordable, accessible, and fun for more South Africans.
Grade levels
BYD have not indicated which model they will be bringing in, but there are two available with the entry-level GL and higher-specced GS version.
The GL is reportedly fitted with BYD’s Blade battery with 30.1kWh and an estimated WLTP range of 250 kilometres, and the GS has a 38.9kWh battery with a WLTP range of 322 kilometres.
At this stage, it’s still speculation, and we’ll know more once a launch date has been confirmed.
Blade battery
According to BYD, their Blade battery (it looks like a blade) provides superior safety, durability and performance.
It uses lithium iron phosphate rather than lithium-ion batteries.
They have put it through the Nail Penetration Test to test battery thermal runaway, simulating a serious accident.
The Blade Battery gave off no smoke or fire, and the surface temperature only reached 30-60 degrees Celsius. In more tests that included being crushed, bent, heated in an oven to 300 degrees and overloaded by 260 percent there was no fire or explosion.
BYD says it's aimed at students, young professionals, first-time buyers and city-based families.
From an initial slow uptake of Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) in South Africa, they’re starting to make some inroads with a substantial year-on-year growth, albeit from a low base.
Mostly, South Africans are turning to hybrid cars, with full BEVs seen as being expensive, and despite a relatively high number of charging stations, range anxiety is still a thing.
Urban EV
However, BEVs do make sense as a city runabout, which makes the announcement by BYD that it will be introducing the compact EV Atto 1 to South Africa, called the Dolphin Mini elsewhere, an interesting proposition.
According to BYD, it’s tailor-made for urban life to make EV ownership affordable, accessible, and fun for more South Africans.
Grade levels
BYD have not indicated which model they will be bringing in, but there are two available with the entry-level GL and higher-specced GS version.
The GL is reportedly fitted with BYD’s Blade battery with 30.1kWh and an estimated WLTP range of 250 kilometres, and the GS has a 38.9kWh battery with a WLTP range of 322 kilometres.
At this stage, it’s still speculation, and we’ll know more once a launch date has been confirmed.
Blade battery
According to BYD, their Blade battery (it looks like a blade) provides superior safety, durability and performance.
It uses lithium iron phosphate rather than lithium-ion batteries.
They have put it through the Nail Penetration Test to test battery thermal runaway, simulating a serious accident.
The Blade Battery gave off no smoke or fire, and the surface temperature only reached 30-60 degrees Celsius. In more tests that included being crushed, bent, heated in an oven to 300 degrees and overloaded by 260 percent there was no fire or explosion.
BYD says it's aimed at students, young professionals, first-time buyers and city-based families.
FiestaST
Honorary Master
Was in front of a white Seal (BYD) in traffic.
FiestaST
Honorary Master
FiestaST
Honorary Master
Lawnchairman
Expert Member
As the charging network expands the range anxiety will diminish and maybe next year that Atto 1 may crack the top 10 most amount of units sold.
Speedster
Honorary Master
I don't range anxiety will be too much of a factor for the Atto 1. You buy a small car like that to get you around town, not for driving across the country.
doodlesZHS
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Dec 15, 2017
- Messages
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Give a few years and that atto 1 will be an appealing 2nd hand car purchase as a roundabout in the city.
Woulde love to see the answer to this atto from the other NEV manufacturers.
Really hoping BYD pushes the envelope and brings out a decent entry level single cab .
Woulde love to see the answer to this atto from the other NEV manufacturers.
Really hoping BYD pushes the envelope and brings out a decent entry level single cab .
FiestaST
Honorary Master
Lawnchairman
Expert Member
Heard this on the Insider Exchange podcast on a TIKTOK with Simon Brown that in a years time most EV's will cost half the price. They spoke of how a famous motoring journalist already snagged a GWM Ora at half the price of what it costs now after a year. The question here though is how many charge cycles left on the battery. Replacement is a huge cost.
Speedster
Honorary Master
Most EV batteries are good for over 1 million km. The battery won't be the limiting factor in EV longevity.
marine1
Honorary Master
Wish someone could tell me when the Leopard 5 or 8 are coming and how much it will be
FiestaST
Honorary Master
FiestaST
Honorary Master
Y'all Qaeda
Username approved by US Airforce
Jeez.. We're only at the leopard 2 now..
Zophos
Expert Member
Modern battery tech with the always active BMS should keep battery replacement over the lifetime of the EV fairly close to 0.
As with all things, it does boil down to the user and how they take care of the battery. From the graph below. most (>85% of users of Teslas) will not need replacement before 250k to 300k km mark...
Granted, the data also shows that bigger battery capacity (long range versions) does tend to hold capacity better over time than smaller (sub 50kWh) battery packs.
Added some extrapolated data that includes the battery packs EVs from 2019 (BYD included)
