BYD Atto 1 becomes cheapest car to own and run
The BYD Atto 1 electric hatch costs $751 per month to own and run. It can save drivers as much as $1000 a year versus the cheapest petrol model.
For the first time ever, an electric vehicle has topped the Royal Automobile Club of Queensland's annual ranking of cheapest cars to buy and operate. The BYD Atto 1 Essential costs $45,037 over five years.
It beats the Chery Tiggo 4 petrol SUV at $50,038. The Atto 1's monthly charge is $54 for electricity.
The petrol rival costs $178 a month in fuel. The ranking includes purchase price, loan repayments, servicing, registration, insurance and fuel or electricity over 15,000km a year.
The Western Australian auto club also ranked the Atto 1 among cheapest small cars. Lower purchase prices and growing competition have made electric vehicles more affordable.
They now account for almost one in four new-car sales.
- $751
- Monthly cost
- $54
- Charging per month
- $178 per month
- Petrol rival fuel cost
- Almost one in four new-car sales
- EV market share
Why it mattersFor buyers stretched by living costs, an EV can now save genuine money upfront and over five years, shifting the choice from luxury to necessity.
AustraliaAustralian drivers can cut ownership costs by switching to the BYD Atto 1, directly affecting purchase decisions as EVs move toward price parity with petrol cars.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 15 h ago
