news

BYD e2: Australia’s cheapest electric car will arrive this year, priced “well below $35,000″

The electric hatchback will be officially unveiled this Thursday at the Shanghai motor show.


The upcoming BYD e2 electric hatchback – set to be unveiled at this week's Shanghai motor show – will cost "well below $35,000" in Australia, according to a spokesperson for the local importer Nexport.

This should comfortably make it the nation’s cheapest electric car by some margin, when it comes onto the local market later this year. For reference, the MG ZS EV – which is also built in China – currently holds that distinction with a sticker price of $43,990 drive-away.

Luke Todd, the founder of Nexport, told CarAdvice: "We're confident our line-up will completely change the Australian automotive landscape... We're very confident we will become a top-ten manufacturer by volume within two years."

The previous-generation BYD e2 (shown above) produces 70kW in base-spec guise. Voltage is drawn from a 35.2kWh battery pack allowing for a claimed range of 305 kilometres.

A flagship variant meanwhile sees the battery pack upgraded to 47.3kWh, permitting a claimed range of 402km. The output is also boosted to 99kW.

Inside the cabin, infotainment comes via a centrally-mounted 10.1-inch touchscreen.

CarAdvice understands the all-new e2 will be more powerful and have better range than the car it replaces.

The 2021 BYD e2 will be officially unveiled on Thursday in Shanghai. The first examples are expected to arrive in Australia later this year, and will ultimately slot into a six car local line-up.

MORE:BYD Showroom
MORE:BYD News
MORE:BYD Reviews
MORE:Search Used BYD Cars for Sale
MORE:BYD Showroom
MORE:BYD News
MORE:BYD Reviews
MORE:Search Used BYD Cars for Sale
William Davis

William Davis has written for Drive since July 2020, covering news and current affairs in the automotive industry. He has maintained a primary focus on industry trends, autonomous technology, electric vehicle regulations, and local environmental policy. As the newest addition to the Drive team, William was brought onboard for his attention to detail, writing skills, and strong work ethic. Despite writing for a diverse range of outlets – including the Australian Financial Review, Robb Report, and Property Observer – since completing his media degree at Macquarie University, William has always had a passion for cars.

Read more about William DavisLinkIcon
Chat with us!







Chat with Agent