BYD Atto 3 vs Nissan Qashqai: Running Costs UK 2026
Last updated: July 2026 · Based on current UK fuel prices
Running a BYD Atto 3 in the UK costs approximately 7.9p per mile on home electricity, compared to 17.4p per mile for the Nissan Qashqai on petrol. At 10,000 miles per year with 80% home charging, the BYD Atto 3 saves approximately £633 per year in fuel costs — breaking even on the higher purchase price in around 3.2 years.
At 10,000 miles/yr · 80% home charging
+£633/yr
The BYD Atto 3 saves you approximately £633 per year in fuel costs.
Break-even on the higher purchase price: ~3.2 years
Nissan Qashqai fuel cost
17.4p/mile
40 MPG · 153.5p/litre
BYD Atto 3 (home tariff)
7.9p/mile
3.3 mi/kWh · 26.1p/kWh
Annual fuel cost comparison
The table below uses real-world efficiency figures for both vehicles and current UK fuel prices. EV costs assume 80% home charging (26.1p/kWh) and 20% public rapid charging (79p/kWh).
| Miles/yr | Nissan Qashqai | BYD Atto 3 | EV saves |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8,000 | £1,396 | £889 | +£506 |
| 10,000(avg) | £1,745 | £1,112 | +£633 |
| 12,000 | £2,093 | £1,334 | +£760 |
| 15,000 | £2,617 | £1,667 | +£950 |
| 20,000 | £3,489 | £2,223 | +£1,266 |
Petrol: 153.5p/litre · Home electricity: 26.1p/kWh · Public rapid: 79p/kWh
BYD Atto 3 cost by charging scenario
Charging behaviour has more impact on EV running costs than almost any other variable. Here's how the BYD Atto 3 compares at 10,000 miles per year across four scenarios:
Overnight EV tariff
£212/yr · 2.1p/mile
Standard home (80% home)
£1,112/yr · 11.1p/mile
Mixed (50% home)
£1,592/yr · 15.9p/mile
Public charging only
£2,394/yr · 23.9p/mile
Saving vs Nissan Qashqai at 10,000 mi/yr and 153.5p/litre.
Key specs
BYD Atto 3
Active 60.5kWh
Nissan Qashqai
1.3 DIG-T Mild Hybrid Acenta
Get a personalised result for your actual mileage
The figures above use national average fuel prices. Enter your postcode to get live local prices, or adjust the MPG and efficiency for your specific trim level.
Open calculator pre-filled for this comparisonMaximize Your EV Savings
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Standard professional installation quote from £899 (Ohme, Pod Point, Hypervolt).
- Fast 7kW charging (3x vs wall socket)
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Frequently asked questions
How much does a BYD Atto 3 cost to run per mile in the UK?
At a standard UK home electricity rate of 26.1p/kWh (the Ofgem price cap unit rate for July–September 2026) and a real-world efficiency of 3.3 miles/kWh, the BYD Atto 3 costs approximately 7.9p per mile when charging at home. On a dedicated overnight EV tariff (around 7p/kWh) this falls to just 2.1p per mile. Relying entirely on public rapid charging — which averaged 79p/kWh in mid-2026 — raises the cost to 23.9p per mile.
Is the BYD Atto 3 cheaper to run than the Nissan Qashqai?
Yes, for most UK drivers who can charge at home. The Nissan Qashqai costs approximately 17.4p per mile in petrol at current UK prices. At home on a standard tariff, the BYD Atto 3 costs 7.9p per mile — a saving of 9.5p per mile. At 10,000 miles per year with 80% home charging, the BYD Atto 3 saves around £633 per year in fuel costs.
How long to break even switching from a Nissan Qashqai to a BYD Atto 3?
Based on an estimated price premium of £2,000 for the BYD Atto 3 over the Nissan Qashqai, and annual fuel savings of approximately £633 at 10,000 miles per year (80% home charging), the break-even point is around 3.2 years. Drivers covering more miles will reach break-even sooner — at 15,000 miles per year the saving is proportionally larger.
What if I can't charge the BYD Atto 3 at home?
Without home charging, the economics change significantly. Relying on public rapid charging — which averaged 79p/kWh in mid-2026, up sharply from a couple of years ago — puts the BYD Atto 3 at 23.9p per mile — higher than the Nissan Qashqai at 17.4p per mile. EV running cost savings are almost entirely dependent on home charging access. Drivers without off-street parking should factor this in carefully.