The BYD Atto 1 Essential is the cheapest new car to own and run in Queensland, according to RACQ's 2026 Vehicle Operating Costs Report, published on 12 November. RACQ calculates the electric hatch at $750.62 a month, or $45,036.96 over five years, including $54.29 a month for charging — the first time an electric vehicle has taken the club's overall affordability crown.
The report covers 85 new vehicles on the Australian market. It assumes a private buyer who fully finances the purchase on a five-year conventional loan and drives 15,000 kilometres a year, and it includes loan repayments, Queensland registration, RACQ Insurance, scheduled servicing, tyres, and fuel or electricity. RACQ used an estimated Queensland on-road price of $26,354.10 for the Atto 1 Essential, based on the car's regular list price rather than BYD's current promotional drive-away offer.
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That promotion still matters for buyers. BYD Australia is advertising the Atto 1 Essential at $19,990 drive-away for eligible retail customers who order between 15 September and 15 December 2026 and take delivery by 31 December, subject to availability. Metallic paint costs extra, and demonstrator vehicles and deals combined with other discounts are excluded. Because RACQ did not use that price, a buyer who qualifies for the offer could see a lower five-year cost than the figure in the report.
The cheapest petrol model in the same study is the Chery Tiggo 4 Urban, at $833.97 a month, or $50,038.15 over five years. Its estimated on-road price of $23,990 is lower than the Atto 1 figure RACQ used, but a monthly fuel bill of $178.25 outweighs the Atto 1's $54.29 charging cost. The gap of about $5,000 over five years is the basis for RACQ's comment that motorists could save around $1,000 a year by switching.
BYD Atto 1 Essential | Chery Tiggo 4 Urban | |
|---|---|---|
Estimated on-road price (QLD) | $26,354.10 | $23,990.00 |
Monthly loan repayments | $497.83 | $463.50 |
Registration and insurance | $165.63 | $159.64 |
Energy or fuel (per month) | $54.29 | $178.25 |
Servicing (per month) | $30.38 | $28.83 |
Tyres (per month) | $2.48 | $3.75 |
Total per month | $750.62 | $833.97 |
Total per year | $9,007.39 | $10,007.63 |
Five-year total | $45,036.96 | $50,038.15 |
Calculated residual | $12,700.00 | $8,900.00 |
RACQ also found battery-electric and plug-in hybrid models were the cheapest to own and operate in the light passenger, medium SUV, medium passenger and large SUV categories. In medium SUVs, the BYD Sealion 5 was the most affordable, at about $61,500 over five years, while the GWM Haval H6 Lux was the cheapest petrol option at about $66,800. Among 4x4 utes, the LDV T60 Max led at about $93,500, just ahead of the plug-in hybrid BYD Shark 6 at about $94,300.
RACQ Principal Economic and Affordability Specialist Dr Ian Jeffreys said the result reflected stronger competition and lower EV purchase prices, but he cautioned that the cheapest car on a spreadsheet is not always the right car, and buyers should still weigh safety, security and suitability. The Atto 1 Essential is a four-seat city hatch with a claimed 220 km of WLTP range; the Premium increases that to 310 km. For a comparison with BYD's small electric SUV, see our Atto 1 vs Atto 2 guide, and our cheapest cars to run in 2026 round-up for a wider national view of running costs.