Two types of BYD cars have just been launched in Nepal. Two new cars from Chinese automobile company BYD, which has been creating a buzz around the world recently, have been launched in the Nepali market.
These two models, ‘Atto-1’ and ‘Atto-2’, have been launched by Cymax Inc., the official distributor of BYD for Nepal.
Initially, the Atto-1 was unveiled at an exhibition organized by the Nepal Automobiles Importers and Manufacturers Association (NAIMA). Then, the Atto-2 was unveiled at the recently concluded Nepal Automobiles and Dealers Association (NADA) exhibition.
Atto-1
If you want to buy a great electric car with a low investment, the Atto-1 is a suitable option. It is available in two versions depending on the battery capacity. The Dynamic model costs 2.895 million rupees and the Premium model costs 3.299 million rupees.
It has attracted the attention of many customers because it is priced lower than other BYD electric cars. Branded as ‘BYD Seagull’ and ‘BYD Dolphin Mini’, this car is also a super hit in other countries. In the Chinese market, more than 10,000 were sold on the first day. It has also become a ‘hotcake’ in European and South American countries. In Brazil, the Seagull accounts for more than 50 percent of the electric vehicle market.
According to Cymax Inc., this BYD model, which won the ‘World Car Award’, has sold more than one million units so far.
Atto-2
The Atto-2, unveiled at the NADA Auto Show, is a bit more expensive. Its price is set at 4.399 million rupees.
BYD’s Atto series is not new to the Nepali market. Before the latest two versions, the Atto-3 was introduced in 2022 and has become popular. It is also called the ‘best-selling SUV’ in Nepal.
Motor and Battery Capacity Atto-1
The Dynamic version of the Atto-1 has a 30 kWh battery. It can travel 230 kilometers on a full charge. The Premium has a 39 kWh battery. It can travel 300 kilometers on a full charge.
The batteries of both versions of the Atto-1 can be fully charged in 10 to 12 hours with a 3.3 kW AC charger, and can be charged to 80 percent in about half an hour with DC charging.
The Atto-1 uses a 45 kW motor. It produces about 60 horsepower. This is the equivalent of 60 horses.
Motor and Battery Capacity Atto-2
Both these models use a ‘blade battery’. It is not as heavy and bulky as a traditional battery. It is designed in a long and thin shape like a blade. It is fixed to the ‘chassis’ (frame) or main part of the car. This makes the car strong and sturdy. There is no problem with the battery heating. The risk of the battery catching fire in the event of an accident is also reduced.
Talking about battery capacity, the recently launched Atto-2 uses a 51.13 kWh battery. This battery can travel 345 kilometers on a full charge. That is, you can easily drive a fully charged Atto-2 from Kathmandu to Pokhara.
According to the company, the Atto car’s battery can easily last 10 to 15 years.
The Atto-2 uses a 100 kilowatt electric motor. It produces about 135 horsepower. In colloquial terms, it means that it produces the equivalent of 135 horses.
Speed
The Atto-1 model can travel at a speed of 130 kilometers per hour, while the Atto-2 has a maximum speed of 150 kilometers per hour.
Ground Clearance
The ‘ground clearance’ of these two versions also differs. This is the distance between the lowest part of the car and the ground surface. The Atto-2 has a ground clearance of 6.9 inches (175 mm) while the Atto-1 has 5.9 inches (150 mm).
The higher the ground clearance, the less likely the vehicle will touch the ground on rough roads. That’s why the Atto-2 seems suitable for rough roads.
