BYD has fired the starting gun on Australia’s next EV price war, announcing the Dolphin Essential from $29,990 before on-road costs and a lower entry price for the Atto 3. Unless another brand gazumps it, BYD will be the first carmaker to offer a new battery-electric vehicle with a sticker under $30,000 in Australia when the Dolphin Essential lands in March.
Once on-road costs are factored in, the Dolphin Essential should still undercut the $33,990 drive-away GWM Ora. However, it is expected to remain dearer drive-away than the headline $30,990 drive-away MG4 Excite 51 deal offered in late 2024.
BYD’s Essential strategy pairs sharper pricing with trimmed equipment, rather than detuning the hardware. The Dolphin Essential retains the Dynamic’s 70kW/180Nm e-motor, 44.9kWh battery and a claimed 340km range, while the Atto 3 Essential mirrors the previous Standard Range setup with a 150kW/310Nm e-motor, 49.92kWh battery and 345km range.
The Dolphin range now opens at $29,990 plus on-roads for the Essential, effectively replacing the previous $38,890-plus Dynamic. The Dolphin Premium continues, and a facelifted Dolphin is expected locally in 2025; importer EVDirect has been asked to clarify whether the Essential specification will carry into that update.
On the SUV side, the Atto 3 Essential is priced at $39,990 plus on-road costs, supplanting the former $44,499-plus Standard Range as the entry point. The Atto 3 Long Range continues and is now badged Premium. With the MG ZS EV said to be on borrowed time, the Atto 3 Essential is poised to be a front-runner in compact electric SUV value.
Cost savings come via equipment deletions. Compared with the outgoing Dolphin Dynamic, the Essential drops the glass roof, heated front seats, wireless phone charging, power-folding mirrors and rear-side glass tinting. The Atto 3 Essential loses the glass roof, roof rails, a one-touch tailgate and heated front seats; its rotating touchscreen shrinks from 15.6 to 12.8 inches, the audio system moves from eight to six speakers, and wheels step down from 18 to 17 inches. Notably, no safety features appear to have been removed from either Essential model, according to BYD.
Revised Premium pricing has not yet been announced. Orders for both Essential models open on 13 January, with the Dolphin Essential due in March.
“This is a win for the everyday Australian, and a significant moment in Australia’s automotive evolution,” EVDirect CEO David Smitherman said. “We’re delivering on our commitment to simplify the transition to new energy vehicles. The ‘Essentials’ range is designed to break down another barrier to EV adoption. Importantly, despite significant savings, the Essentials range doesn’t compromise on safety, driveability or range.”
Conclusion
BYD’s Essential trims mark a pivotal moment for mainstream EV affordability in Australia. While the Dolphin Essential’s sub-$30,000 list price doesn’t equate to a sub-$30,000 drive-away figure, it sets a new psychological benchmark and pressures rivals on value. The Atto 3 Essential, meanwhile, reshapes the compact electric SUV price landscape as legacy competitors fade. If BYD can maintain supply and clarity around the incoming Dolphin update, 2025 is shaping up as the year EV pricing gets real for more Australian households.
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