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BYD Atto 1 (Dolphin Surf) cost to own in New Zealand — the true 5-year total

By the EVCostIQ research desk · reviewed against our public methodology · every source dated on this page

The BYD Atto 1 (Dolphin Surf) starts at $29,990. Over 5 years, owning one (EV) costs about $42,884 in New Zealand as of July 1, 2026 — $715/month, $0.61/km — including depreciation, charging (with the ~12% charging loss most calculators ignore), maintenance, insurance, financing and rego + road-user charges. That's $682 more than a comparable Toyota Corolla Hybrid over the same 5 years.

No EV purchase rebate in NZ (the Clean Car Discount ended Dec 2023), and EVs now pay Road User Charges (~NZ$76/1,000 km). Both are reflected honestly — the RUC is included in the totals above. Source: NZTA.

BYD Atto 1 (Dolphin Surf) · NZ · 5-year estimate$42,884 total · $715/mo · $0.61/km

Where the money goes

5-year total cost of ownership by component, by vehicle (NZD). Estimates; sources dated in the methodology.
Cost componentElectric · BYD Atto 1Hybrid · Toyota Corolla Hybrid
Depreciation (estimated)$17,394 (41%)$15,830 (38%)
Charging / fuel$4,922 (11%)$8,732 (21%)
↳ of which charging loss12% (~$591)—
Maintenance$2,247 (5%)$3,752 (9%)
Insurance$7,000 (16%)$6,500 (15%)
Financing interest$5,076 (12%)$6,524 (15%)
Registration & fees$6,245 (15%)$865 (2%)
Total cost of ownership$42,884$42,202

BYD Atto 1 (Dolphin Surf) specs & assumptions

Starting price
$29,990manufacturer
Powertrain
Electric
Efficiency
14 kWh/100kmWLTP/EECA
Range
220 kmWLTP/EECA
NZ electricity
34.00c/kWhEA / MBIE
Annual km (assumed)
14,000NZ average

Compare the BYD Atto 1 (Dolphin Surf) against any car, your km & your scenario

Cost to charge the BYD Atto 1 (Dolphin Surf) at home

The BYD Atto 1 (Dolphin Surf) runs about $5.41 per 100 km at home — versus about $20.79 for a typical 7 L/100km petrol car. Home charging only (the ~12% AC charging loss is included); public DC fast-charging is billed per session by each network — often 2–3× the home rate — and isn't in these figures.

Per 100 km at home
$5.4114 kWh/100km + 12% charging loss × $0.34/kWh
A typical 7 L/100km petrol car
$20.79/100kmat $2.97/L — for comparison

Cost to charge an EV in NZ — every model →

Head-to-head: EV vs petrol

BYD Atto 1 (Dolphin Surf)vsMitsubishi ASX (petrol)

More NZ models

FAQ

How much does it cost to charge the BYD Atto 1 (Dolphin Surf) at home?

About $5.41 per 100 km — home charging, with the ~12% AC charging loss included, at $0.34/kWh. A typical 7 L/100km petrol car costs about $20.79 per 100 km.

How much does the BYD Atto 1 (Dolphin Surf) battery replacement cost?

Most EVs never need a battery-pack replacement inside the manufacturer's battery warranty (typically 8 years / 160,000 km), so no replacement cost is in the 5-year total above — see the methodology for how battery life is treated.

What does the BYD Atto 1 (Dolphin Surf) really cost to own over 5 years in New Zealand?

The BYD Atto 1 (Dolphin Surf) costs about $42,884 to own over 5 years in New Zealand — about $715/month — including depreciation, charging, maintenance, insurance, rego + road-user charges and financing.

How much does the BYD Atto 1 (Dolphin Surf) cost per month in New Zealand?

About $715/month over 5 years ($0.61/km) — depreciation, charging, insurance, maintenance, rego + road-user charges and financing included.

Is the BYD Atto 1 (Dolphin Surf) cheaper to own than the Toyota Corolla Hybrid?

No — about $42,884 vs $42,202 over 5 years in New Zealand: $682 more.

How much does charging cost for the BYD Atto 1 (Dolphin Surf) over 5 years?

About $4,922 at New Zealand rates (including the ~12% AC charging loss) — already inside the total above.

More NZ EV costs

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