BYD Atto 1 becomes cheapest car to own and run

Summarised from 2 outlets · 3 reports · Updated 14 Nov, 09:31 · Archive

The BYD Atto 1 electric hatch has been ranked as the cheapest vehicle to own and run in Australia, the first time an EV has topped affordability rankings.

The BYD Atto 1 electric hatch has been named the cheapest vehicle to own and run in 2026 by the Royal Automobile Club of Queensland (RACQ), marking the first time an electric vehicle has topped the affordability rankings. The Atto 1 could save motorists as much as $1,000 a year compared with the cheapest petrol model. The Royal Automobile Club of Western Australia (RAC WA) also ranked the Atto 1 as the cheapest small passenger car in its latest annual running costs report, though its overall figures placed the petrol-powered MG ZS Vibe small SUV slightly ahead.

The entry-level BYD Atto 1 Essential costs an average of $751 per month to own and run over five years, including $54 in monthly charging costs, according to RACQ's 2026 Vehicle Operating Costs Report. RACQ also found the electric Toyota HiLux SR5 BEV to be cheaper to own and operate overall than a Ford Ranger Wildtrak diesel over the same period.

Dr Ian Jeffreys, RACQ's Principal Economic and Affordability Specialist, said that when purchase price, loan repayments and fuel or charging costs are combined, 'EVs and plug-in hybrids are becoming a much stronger proposition for motorists'. RAC WA's survey of 85 popular cars across eight categories found that Chinese manufacturer BYD's electrified vehicles worked out cheapest in 50 per cent of the categories, from large SUVs to small passenger cars.

How it is being reported

• Electrified vehicles cheapest to run in latest RAC surveyA growing range of new models brings savings on ownership costsThe West Australian · 14 Nov, 09:16
• EV tops RACQ’s most affordable car rankings for the first timeThe BYD Atto 1 has been named the cheapest vehicle to own and run by the RACQ, while the Ford Ranger was named the priciest ute to keep on the road.Perth Now · 13 Nov, 21:02
• EV tops RACQ’s most affordable car rankings for the first timeThe BYD Atto 1 has been named the cheapest vehicle to own and run by the RACQ, while the Ford Ranger was named the priciest ute to keep on the road.The West Australian · 13 Nov, 21:02

In this story: BYD · RACQ · RAC WA · Ford · Toyota · Queensland · Western Australia · Australia

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