BYD Auto One Review: Kathmandu Businessman Shares 1,300 KM Experience

फागुन १२, २०८२ १७:१

Kathmandu. Dinesh Adhikari, a businessman from Pepsicola, Kandaghari, has finally chosen this EV after driving a manual petrol car for eight years.

Dinesh is a clothing businessman. For the past 8 years, he has been driving a Hyundai Eon. It was a big decision for him to shift from a small and reliable manual car to a state-of-the-art electric vehicle. In a conversation with Techpana, Dinesh says, “According to the current trend, EVs seem to be the best option. But, there was a lot of confusion about which car to choose.”

When choosing a new car, Ahikari did not just look for luxury; he focused on the roads of Kathmandu and his own needs. He looked at many vehicles available in the market, attended NADA Auto Shows, and finally set his mind on the BYD Auto One.

Many people suggested that he get a bigger car. But, deliberately, he chose a compactsized car. He argues that it is very difficult to enter the small streets of Kathmandu with big vehicles. “While driving big vehicles in narrow streets comes the risk of crashing into something, and the parts of EVs are expensive, so I was a bit cautious,” says Adhikari.

Why BYD?

Before buying the car, Dinesh had also test-driven Tata’s Punch EV. Although Tata’s car was strong, he found BYD to be the best in terms of driving experience. “I felt uncomfortable and heavy while using the punch. But when I grabbed the steering wheel of the Auto One, it felt very light and comfortable,” he recalls. He chose BYD because of the ease of pickup and driving.

He was also attracted by BYD’s brand value and its popularity in the market. The fact that BYD has won prestigious awards such as ‘World Urban Car’ also won his trust. For Dinesh, these awards were not just a name but a confirmation of the quality and safety of the vehicle.

The Temptation of Black Color and the Hassle of Maintenance

Dinesh’s BYD Auto One is black in color. Black colored vehicles look very attractive and premium. But it is challenging to keep them clean and maintained. Dinesh has had to work hard to keep the black car shining in the dust of Kathmandu.

He has also spent around Rs 35,000 to get ceramic coating done for the safety of his vehicle. He feels that it is easier to keep the vehicle clean, as less dust settles after the coating, and the wind also blows it away.

A new experience

There are many features in the Auto One that have surprised Dinesh. It does not have fog lights, but the automatic headlight automatically adjusts in the foggy conditions or darkness. To prevent the side mirrors from fogging in the rain, it has a ‘Heating Mirror’ feature, which Dinesh has already tested during the rainy season.

But the most interesting aspect is the BYD app. Dinesh gets all the information about his car directly from his mobile. “I can sit in my room and see how much the car has charged, the tire pressure, and whether the car is locked or not,” he says excitedly. The feature to lock and unlock the car from the mobile has made his daily life much simpler.

Market demand

The popularity of BYD is also evident from Dinesh’s lengthy wait to buy the car. He had to wait almost two months to get the car in his favourite color, black. “The demand was so high that as soon as the car arrived at the showroom, it was sold out,” he recalls.

Complaints about ground clearance and spare tires

Not everything is perfect, and for Dinesh, there are some aspects that need to be improved in the Auto One as well. His biggest complaint is about ground clearance. According to Dinesh, the ground clearance of the Auto One is 175 mm, which is slightly less for the dirt roads of Nepal. “I wish it were at least 190 mm. There is always a fear that if the vehicle falls into a ditch, it will hit something,” he said.

Another issue is the spare tire. Like many modern EVs, the Auto One also doesn’t have a spare tyre. Instead, a puncture repair kit is provided. Dinesh, who has been changing tires himself for the past eight years, was initially a bit worried. But he is somewhat reassured after the company said that it is not really necessary nowadays.

Dinesh gives his new car a 9 out of 10 rating. He has deducted one point only due to low ground clearance. He says, “If you are looking for a comfortable and modern vehicle to drive on the streets of Kathmandu for a small family, then the Auto One is excellent.”

Stress-free travel

Before buying an EV, many worry about the range and charging. Dinesh himself has installed a 7.5 kW charger at home. In his experience, it takes about 5 hours to charge from 1 to 100 percent. He usually leaves the car charging overnight, and the vehicle is fully ready by morning.

In terms of range, the company claims the car gives more than 300 km, which Dinesh seems satisfied with. He has driven more than 1,300 km so far and feels that it is excellent for trips within Kathmandu.

Dinesh is planning to take his Auto One to every nook and corner of Nepal. “I will make time to go out for a drive in this car because it's a different pleasure to drive in,” his smile conveys.