BYD is bringing Australia's first EV under $30,000

BYD has fired back in the electric vehicle (EV) price war, with a new entry-level version of its Dolphin hatchback sliding under $30,000.

The new Essential version of the Dolphin is priced from $29,990 before on-road costs – $6900 less expensive than the previous entry-level Dynamic – and has had some features removed to get it to this price point.

BYD has applied the same treatment to its popular Atto 3 crossover, of which an Essential version is priced at $39,990 before on-road costs – $4509 less than the Standard Range it replaces.

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While mechanically unchanged from what were previously the entry-level Dolphin and Atto 3, the Essential versions lose features like a panoramic sunroof, heated seats and a wireless phone charger.

A full breakdown of standard equipment for Essential models can be found at the bottom of this article.

Orders will open for the Essential models on Monday, January 13, ahead of deliveries beginning in March.

Like the Dolphin Dynamic, the Dolphin Essential features a single 70kW/180Nm front-mounted electric motor, powered by a 44.9kWh Blade lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery. Claimed WLTP range is 340km.

The Atto 3 Essential features a single 150kW/310Nm front-mounted electric motor and a 49.9kWh Blade battery, with claimed range of 345km.

The new entry-level Dolphin sees BYD take the crown of Australia’s cheapest EV.

Last year, MG offered its rival MG 4 51 Excite for $30,990 drive-away and later for $32,990 drive-away. It’s now being offered for $34,990 drive-away.

GWM’s slower-selling Ora hatch is currently priced from $33,990 drive-away, while Nissan is running out its Leaf hatch at $34,990 drive-away.

The Dolphin Essential drops the following equipment found in the old Dynamic:

• Power-folding exterior mirrors
• Panoramic glass roof
• Wireless phone charger
• Heated front seats
• Rear privacy glass

The following equipment is standard in the old Dynamic and new Dolphin Essential:

• 5.0-inch digital instrument cluster
• 12.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Leatherette upholstery
• Keyless entry and start
• Front, front-side, curtain and driver’s far-side airbags
• Tyre pressure monitoring
• Adaptive cruise control
• Autonomous emergency braking
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Child Presence Detection
• Lane-keep assist
• Front cross-traffic assist
• Rear cross-traffic assist
• Safe exit warning
• Surround-view camera
• Traffic sign recognition

The Atto 3 Essential drops the following equipment found in the old Standard Range:

• Panoramic sunroof
• Power tailgate
• Roof rails
• Heated front seats
• Music rhythm function for ambient lighting
• Wireless phone charger

It also swaps the 15.6-inch infotainment touchscreen and eight-speaker Dirac sound system for a 12.8-inch screen and six-speaker system, and 18-inch alloy wheels for 17s.

The following equipment is standard in the old Standard Range and new Atto 3 Essential:

• 5.0-inch digital instrument cluster
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Satellite navigation
• Leatherette upholstery
• 6-way power driver’s seat
• 4-way power passenger seat
• Power-folding exterior mirrors
• Keyless entry and start
• Multi-colour ambient lighting
• LED headlights with Adaptive Front Light
• Front, front-side, curtain and driver’s far-side airbags
• Tyre pressure monitoring
• Surround-view camera
• Adaptive cruise control
• Autonomous emergency braking
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Lane-keep assist
• Rear cross-traffic assist
• Safe exit warning

MORE: Everything BYD Dolphin MORE: Everything BYD Atto 3