BYD Atto 3 owners hail EV transition as worthwhile investment

KUCHING (Sept 16): Transitioning from traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles to electric vehicles (EVs) has proven to be a worthwhile investment for BYD Atto 3 owners, as evidenced by positive testimonials from local users.

Ruth Chan, a kindergarten principal from Kuching, highlighted both the financial and environmental benefits she has experienced after owning a BYD Atto 3 for a year.

“I had been using petrol cars for many years and owned four vehicles, so petrol consumption was a significant concern,” Chan said.

“Later, while in Singapore, my brother introduced me to the environmentally friendly aspects of this car. Coupled with a 25 per cent discount on the Sesco (Syarikat Sesco Berhad) bill in Kuching and Sarawak at that time, I decided to switch to an EV.”

Despite acknowledging that the price of the BYD Atto 3 was relatively higher than that of other compact crossover sports utility vehicles (SUVs), Chan regarded it as ‘a worthwhile investment’.

“If the price goes down, maybe more people would consider buying one,” she said.

Abdur Rahiem Sarbini, a more recent BYD Atto 3 owner, said in just two months of ownership, he had noticed significant reductions in his monthly fuel expenses.

“It’s definitely a cost saver in terms of petrol and maintenance. Previously, I would spend up to RM400 each month on petrol, but now I’ve saved a few hundred s of ringgit. The EV is a cost-effective option for my city commutes.”

Both Chan and Abdur Rahiem agreed that the convenience of driving and maintaining an EV outweighs that of conventional ICE vehicles.

Chan likened charging her EV to charging a mobile phone, finding it easy to plug the vehicle into the wall box at her house overnight.

She would typically charge her car once a week, for approximately five to six hours.

Chan also expressed satisfaction with the minimal maintenance requirements of the EV, contrasting it with her past experiences of frequent and costly servicing with petrol cars.

“With my previous cars, every visit to the workshop would cost at least RM400. I’m just being honest here – I’m not getting any commission for saying this.

“It’s simply my experience,” she said.

Chan recounted a specific instance with her BYD Atto 3, where she experienced a minor issue with the gear.

“I felt a slight prick on my finger one day and quickly contacted the sales representative. To my surprise, the technician fixed it within five minutes by simply replacing the part on the spot.

“There was no need to wait for a spare part to come from elsewhere. I was then able to drive away with everything working perfectly.”

Abdur Rahiem also appreciated the simplicity of operating his EV.

“I just push the start button and go, saving time as there’s no need to warm up the engine. It’s much quieter, being battery-powered, which adds to the convenience.”

Regarding the performance of the BYD Atto 3, Abdur Rahiem rated it as ‘excellent’.

“The driving experience is superb; you barely feel the acceleration, and you can reach speeds of 90km/h without noticing it. While it can be a bit dangerous if you’re not careful, it’s manageable as long as you stay in control. Overall, the driving experience is smooth and excellent.”

Abdur Rahiem also noted that a full charge would last him approximately four to five days, given his typical ten-minute commute from home to work.

However, both Chan and Abdur Rahiem emphasised the need for improved charging infrastructure in Kuching.

While they both had wall boxes installed at home, they advocated for more public charging stations to enhance EV accessibility.

“For instance, milk tea shops and cafés could install chargers and sell electricity. We could charge our EVs while having tea and be ready to leave after an hour of charging,” suggested Chan.

With positive feedback from owners like Chan and Abdur Rahiem, the future of EV adoption here appears promising, particularly as infrastructure and affordability continue to improve.