Aussie-bound BYD EA1 EV hatch revealed

The first models that Chinese electrified vehicle giant BYD could launch in Australia in 2022 have just been unveiled at the Shanghai auto show.

Among them are a new battery electric small car called the EA1 and a near-production concept SUV called the X Dream.

Also on-show is e-platform 3.0, a BEV architecture that BYD – or Build Your Dreams – claims will have a cruising range of up to 1000km and 800V fast charging technology that delivers 150km range in as little as five minutes.

BYD says models based on ev-platform 3.0 also will also have shorter front overhangs, a wider wheelbase, lower centre of gravity, more space and a drag co-efficient (Cd) as low as 0.21, only marginally off the flagship EV from Mercedes-Benz, the EQS.

The highest performance BEVs based on the platform will be capable of accelerating from 0-100km/h in just 2.9 secs.

The EA1 is the first model from BYD’s all brand new “e” product series, although little else has been revealed about the car.

The X Dream features the latest expression of BYD’s ‘Dragon Face ‘ design language. Again, little else has been revealed by BYD.

A hybrid version of the Tang crossover was also unveiled in Shanghai.

In Australia BYD has signed an agreement with a company called Nexport to import EVs to Australia and New Zealand.

In an interview with EVcentral in February, Nexport’s Luke Todd said a BYD SUV shown off at Shanghai would come to Australia.

More recently Todd has told Australian motoring publications that a small BEV shown at Shanghai would be priced at less than $35,000 in Australia, making it the cheapest EV on-sale here, easily undercutting the MG ZS EV.

He has also outlined bold targets for market-leading BYD EV sales in Australia.

Todd told EVcentral Nexport would have left-hand drive display cars on-show in Australia mid-year and right-hand drive cars for sale in 2022.