Poised to become BYD's entry-level model and EV, the Atto 1 will reportedly become one of South Africa's electric vehicles when it goes on sale.
BYD’s smallest electric vehicle, the Atto 1, is heading to South Africa in September as its most affordable product and EV.
What is it?
Billed by as a cool, fun-loving, compact EV for the big city, the Atto 1, known as the Seagul, Dolphin Mini and Dolphin Surf in other markets, measures 3 990mm in length and 1 720mm in width, dimensions comparable to that of the all-electric Mini Cooper, though shorter and narrower than the GWM Ora 03 and BYD’s current most affordable EV, the Dolphin.
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Equipped with the firm’s Blade Battery, available in either 30 and 42.2kWh capacity, the former in 300 volt and 288 volt, and the latter in 288 volt guises, BYD claims operating ranges of 220km, 322km and 310km for the aforementioned derivatives, respectively.
While the smaller battery can receive up to 65kW at a DC fast charging station, the larger battery can receive up to 85kW. At such a facility, a 10-80% recharge takes 30 minutes, BYD says.
Exclusively available in front-wheel-drive, the Atto 1 models’ permanent synchronous electric motor produces 65 kW in 300 volt and 288 volt 30kWh guises, and 115kW in the 42.2kWh model.
The firm claims 0-100km/h sprint times of 11.1, 12.1 and 9.1 seconds for these derivatives, respectively.
Likely price
However, while the Shenzhen automaker’s South African arm has remained tight-lipped about how much the Atto 1 will cost once it arrives, reports from its home market have suggested what we can expect.
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.
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