Chinese electric vehicle giant has promised to return to the UK with a small electric SUV before the end of this year. The Atto 3 has just gone on sale in some European markets and it’s expected to cost around £40,000, putting it up against cars such as the Volkswagen ID.4. The Atto 3 is almost identical to the ID.4 in length at 4,555mm and has a claimed range of 261 miles from a 63.8kWh battery. 

The charging speed is disappointing though, at just 88kW – way below the 120kW of the VW and 220kW of rivals such as the Kia EV6.

BYD says the Atto will be on sale by December

It has not yet been revealed how the BYD will be sold in the UK, but the company is said to be in talks with an established importer and distributor, which is thought to be the IM Group. The Midlands-based company already handles Subaru and Isuzu, and will also take care of the UK sales of the Ora Funky Cat.

The Atto is expected to be well equipped

BYD’s previous foray into the UK market was short lived. The company imported 50 E6 electric crossovers in 2015, with the intention of selling them to the taxi firm Green Tomato. However the deal fell through and the E6s were sold to other taxi firms. According to DVLA records only two still remain on the roads.

BYD's previous attempt to conquer the UK market with the E6 failed