From Creamer Media in Johannesburg, this is the Real Economy Report.

Sashnee Moodley:

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Build Your Dreams – also known as BYD - has officially launched its battery-powered Atto 3 crossover model EV in the South African market. Cameron Mackay has the story.

Cameron Mackay:

At a launch event in Melrose Arch in June, BYD confirmed that the standard and extended Atto 3 ranges would be sold with a five-year, 100 000 km warranty and service plan.

The vehicles will sell at R768 000 for the standard model and R835 000 for the extended models.

BYD Middle East and Africa auto sales division GM AD Huang stated that the Atto 3 will support the company’s vision of a global reduction in carbon dioxide emissions.

BYD sees this not just “as an initiative, but also an action plan” to integrate into the “value fabric” of the company.

BYD Middle East and Africa auto sales division GM AD Huang…

Cameron Mackay:

Also attending the event, was Gauteng Growth and Development Agency subsidiary the Automotive Industry Development Centre Eastern Cape chairperson Phumzile Zitumane, who was enthused about BYD’s global resurgence, and the company’s current global standing as the main manufacturer of electric vehicles.

AIDC EC chairperson Phumzile Zitumane…

Cameron Mackay:

Zitumane also pointed out that there is a significant market for affordable BYD vehicles in South Africa, and in the rest of Africa.

This comes in addition to the need to address climate change and CO2 emissions, as the transport sector emits about 26% of global emissions.

AIDC EC chairperson Phumzile Zitumane…

Cameron Mackay:

The Atto 3 is a compact sports-utility vehicle. The EV is powered with a single front-wheel-drive electric motor and has a peak output of 150 kW and 310 Nm torque.

The Atto 3 standard model comes with a 50 kWh battery capacity, while the extended model contains a 60.5 kWh battery.

The standard model has a range of 345 km and the extended model 420 km.

The Atto 3 has a charging capacity of 88 kW direct current and is built on 400 V electrical architecture and supports maximum alternating current charging, as well as DC fast charging.

The EV has a boot that offers 440 ℓ of cargo capacity, with a maximum of about 1 338 ℓ.

An important feature of the Atto 3 is its vehicle-to-load support, which allows the vehicle’s battery pack to supply standard 120/240 V power.

The vehicle supports up to 3.3 kW power output with this feature.

This means that the vehicle can be used as a power source for South Africans during times of loadshedding, particularly given the country’s power supply challenges.

BYD achieved about $62-billion in revenue last year, as the company is hoping to achieve more than $100-billion sales this year.

Sashnee Moodley:

That’s Creamer Media’s Real Economy Report. Join us again next week for more news and insight into South Africa’s real economy. Don’t forget to listen to the audio version of our Engineering News daily email newsletter.