BYD Atto 3 Gets ARAI Homologation Certificate in India

BYD India has received a homologation certificate for its Atto 3 SUV from the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), which suggests that BYD can sell more units of the Atto 3 in the country. According to the Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways (MoRTH), homologation is the process of certifying if a particular vehicle is roadworthy and matches certain specified criteria laid out by the Government for all vehicles made or imported into the country. This means that the BYD Atto 3 is roadworthy in India and can be manufactured or imported by BYD. On top of it, a cap on imports of up to 2,500 completely built units per year as per the GSR 870 CIRT certificate no longer applies to the BYD Atto 3. 

"With the EU type-approval for vehicles produced in small series, we launched the BYD Atto 3 in October 2022, which received great responses from our customers. Now, securing the homologation certificate for the BYD Atto 3 model marks a pivotal moment in BYD India's growth trajectory. This significant accomplishment enables us to broaden our reach and deliver cutting-edge, environmentally conscious mobility solutions to an ever-expanding customer base in India. It brings us closer to our long-term commitment to India, ensuring that our customers are supported with state-of-the-art sustainable mobility technologies and a hassle-free ownership experience. We are immensely proud to have completed all the necessary tests and are delighted to receive the certificate," said Mr Sanjay Gopalakrishnan, Senior Vice President – Electric Passenger Vehicle Business, BYD India. 

BYD Atto 3: Platform, Performance and More

Launched on November 14, 2022, the BYD Atto 3 (Rs 34 lakh) sits on an all-new BYD e-Platform 3.0, consisting of the brand's signature LFP BladeBattery (60.48kWh) with an ARAI-claimed range of 521 kilometres. On offer is also regenerative braking. The 60.48kWh battery pack powers a single 201bhp/310Nm permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) that sends power to the front wheels only. With these performance figures, the Atto 3 has a claimed top speed of 160km/h, with a 0 to 100km/h time of 7.3 seconds.

Features-wise, the Atto 3 packs in a 12.8-inch rotating touchscreen, a 5.0-inch digital instrument cluster, door-mounted circular speakers, a panoramic sunroof, a powered tailgate, a wireless phone charger, synthetic leather upholstery, powered front driver and passenger seats, and an NFC card key. A Level 2 Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS), a 360-degree camera, ABS, ESC, traction control, hill descent control, and seven airbags are among its safety features.

BYD India's Other Two Products

Other than the Atto3, BYD sells the e6 MPV (Rs 29.15 lakh) and the new Seal sedan. Launched on March 5 at an ex-showroom price of Rs 41 lakh, the brand's third electric vehicle sits on the e-platform 3.0 that also underpins the Atto 3 and the Dolphin; however, it uses an 800V electrical architecture.

The batteries, which are available in two sizes, get BYD's patented blade technology. The smaller 61.44kWh battery mated to a rear-axle-mounted electric motor (201bhp) offers a claimed range of 510km, whereas the larger 82.5kWh battery pack claims a maximum range of 650km in the variants equipped with a rear-mounted permanent magnet synchronous motor (308bhp). The 523bhp producing dual-motor and all-wheel-drive variants offer a claimed range of 580km range. In terms of market competition, the Seal takes on the likes of the Kia EV6 and the Hyundai Ioniq 5.