BYD ATTO 2: 500km Highway Test - Summary and Highlights

This note summarizes a 500km highway test of the BYD ATTO 2, an electric vehicle (EV) priced around €31,000 and marketed as a city car. The key questions are: can it handle a long highway trip, and how does it compare to similarly priced competitors like the Citroën C3, Opel Mokka-e, and others?

Highlights:

Surprisingly good for long trips: Despite being a city car, the ATTO 2 handled the 500km highway journey reasonably well, requiring only two 30-minute charging stops.
Decent Consumption: Consumption hovered around 22 kWh/100km at 130 km/h, improving to 17.8 kWh/100km in slower traffic.
Comfortable Interior: The reviewer was impressed with the interior quality, comfort, and features like electric seats and semi-autonomous driving.
Small Battery, Slow Charging: The main drawbacks are the small 42 kWh battery and slow 65 kW DC charging speed.
Charging Infrastructure Issues: The test highlighted issues with charging infrastructure, including inconvenient locations and inconsiderate users.

Detailed Summary:

The reviewer embarked on a 500km highway loop to assess the ATTO 2's long-distance capabilities. He began with a 100% charge and an estimated range of 311km.

Driving Experience:

Early impressions were positive: Consumption was reasonable, and the car offered a comfortable ride with good features for its price point. The semi-autonomous driving system performed well, but the oversensitive driver-assist alerts were annoying.
First Charging Stop (166.9km): Reached with 15% battery remaining. The I-Charge station was located inconveniently and lacked amenities. The 65kW charging speed meant a 40-minute stop.
Second Leg: The reviewer aimed for a Unity station in Calais. Thanks to favorable traffic conditions, consumption improved, and he arrived with 8% battery, covering about 180km.
Second Charging Stop: Another 38-minute stop to charge to 80%. This stop highlighted the issue of "charging squatters" – EVs remaining plugged in after charging is complete.
Final Leg: The ATTO 2 completed the remaining distance on a single charge, arriving at the destination with 8% battery.

Key Observations:

Range and Charging: While two charging stops were manageable, the limited range and slow charging speed are significant drawbacks for frequent long journeys. The reviewer emphasized the importance of utilizing the full battery capacity (down to 10%) to maximize range between charges.
Charging Infrastructure: The test highlighted the need for improved charging infrastructure, both in terms of location and user etiquette.
Overall Impression: The ATTO 2 proved surprisingly capable for long trips, offering a good balance of comfort, features, and efficiency. However, the slow charging and small battery require careful planning and patience. The reviewer concluded that while it's not ideal for regular long-distance travel, it's certainly possible and represents a good value proposition.

Comparison with other EVs:

The reviewer included a table comparing the ATTO 2's performance with other EVs tested on the same route. This direct comparison offers valuable insights for potential buyers considering different options in this price range.