BYD Slashes Price of Electric Car and Becomes Cheapest in Australia [video]
BYD’s move to sell a small electric car in Australia for AUD 19,900 drive‑away, making it the country’s cheapest new car including petrol models, is seen as a potential turning point for EV adoption despite its limited 220 km range. Commenters weigh the economics of pairing such cars with rooftop solar, compare them to aging low-cost petrol vehicles, and note how tariffs, subsidies and luxury-car taxes in different regions shape what consumers can actually buy. Broader concerns surface around car dependence versus public transport, as well as the ethics and strategic risks of relying on heavily automated but state-supported Chinese manufacturing.
Price and basic appeal
- BYD city EV offered at
AUD 19,900 drive‑away (US$14k) is now Australia’s cheapest new car, including ICE. - Many see the price as “insane” value, especially compared to Europe where even basic ICE models are notably more expensive.
- Main limitation: ~220 km range, seen as fine for commuting and city use, poor for road trips.
Use cases and practical limitations
- Viewed as ideal as a second “city runabout,” often paired with a larger / more rugged vehicle for long trips or going “bush.”
- Concerns about size and comfort for road trips.
- Some debate over whether advanced high‑power “flash charging” is realistic at this price point and effective given Australia’s distances.
Cost comparisons: ICE, solar, and housing
- Some prefer cheap used ICE cars (~AUD 2–5k), arguing they’re still far cheaper than buying a new EV plus house plus solar.
- Others counter that good sub‑$5k cars are rare “shitboxes,” fuel is expensive, and EVs plus subsidized solar can pay back quickly.
- Home ownership vs renting becomes a flashpoint: one side says most Australians already own houses and solar, making EVs attractive; another stresses high house prices and renter exclusion.
Tariffs, protectionism, and BYD’s absence in the US
- BYD is present in Europe and NZ but blocked or constrained in the US by 100%+ tariffs, regulatory barriers, and alleged price dumping.
- In the EU, tariffs and varying rates aim to protect domestic industry but also slow EV adoption; some note BYD is building EU factories to bypass tariffs.
- Debate over whether Chinese EVs are unfairly subsidized vs similar “corporate socialism” in the US.
Car affordability and economics
- Broader frustration about rising new and used car prices, especially in the US, with comparisons to cheaper 1970s cars.
- Some argue domestic protectionism forces citizens to overpay for vehicles; others note money spent on domestic cars circulates locally.
Public transport vs car dependence
- Some argue cheaper EVs still entrench car dependence and cities should prioritize free or cheap public transport, cycling, and walkability.
- Counterpoints: Australia’s sprawl, hills, climate, and low density make universal PT coverage difficult; EVs help on pollution even if cars remain necessary.
- Sydney‑specific complaints: public transport fares can be more expensive than driving with tolls and parking.
Labor conditions and ethics
- One view: Chinese EVs rely on overworked, underpaid labor and should be avoided for moral and safety reasons.
- Others respond that modern Chinese auto plants are highly automated (“dark factories”), wages are rising, and exploitative labor is at least as plausible in US industry or in other global supply chains (electronics, mining, agriculture).
Reliability, support, and geopolitical risk
- Some worry that if the Chinese state or BYD “pulls the plug,” overseas buyers could be left without parts, service, or warranty support.
- Others argue export prices are already substantially above domestic levels, leaving “fat” to sustain overseas operations and undercut competitors for some time.