Competition is heating up at the more affordable end of the electric vehicle market with the reveal this week of the BYD Atto 3 compact SUV.

Yes, another Chinese addition, joining MG and Haval, both of whom are gaining momentum with their most affordable models. BYD, standing for Building Your Dreams, will be distribute ed in Australia by Nexport and will be sold on-line through their EV Direct website rather than through dealerships.

Orders are now being taken for the compact SUV on a $1,000 deposit, although deliveries won’t start until July. There’s two Atto 3 SUV’S, the standard range model $44,381 with a 50.1 kw/h lithium-ion phosphate battery which will cover a claimed 320km while the extended range model at $47,381 with larger 60.4kw/h battery allows you a 420km range.

I haven’t seen the BYD Atto 3 in the flesh but photos show it to have pleasant styling with what looks like a very smart interior.

I’m David Berthon.

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