The Best Value Chinese EV Under 40,000 CHF for Swiss Import
Switzerland’s terrain, climate and regulatory environment add layers to the calculation: mountain roads, cold winters, multi-state subsidy regimes, and established charging networks all matter. This piece profiles five Chinese EVs which, according to publicly available Swiss/European listings, appear near or under the "40,000 CHF landed cost" threshold, and offers commentary on how each fits into a Swiss driving context.
Selection Criteria
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Must have a verifiable listing/sales record in Switzerland or Europe, or official European launch information;
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Published/list price or estimable on-road price ≤ 40,000 CHF;
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Brand must have a certain level of visibility in Europe/Switzerland or potential for an after-sales network;
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Priority given to models that have passed WLTP/European certification or have been localized by dealers.
BYD Dolphin – City-friendly, entry-level choice
Compact, affordable electric car that can serve as a pragmatic first EV for urban and suburban Swiss use.
Why it works for Switzerland: The Dolphin’s modest size makes it convenient for tight urban parking and maneuvering in older Swiss towns. One listing in Switzerland shows a new Dolphin at CHF 27,990.
Technical specs (DCAR, 2025):
Type: Electric
Range (km) CLTC: 410km / 420km / 520km
Range (km) WLTP: 336km / 344km / 426km (Reference: EV Range Converter)
Charging time (hrs): Fast charge 0.44~0.5 hours
100km Power Consumption (kWh/100km): 10.5~12.9
Battery capacity (kWh): 44.9~60.48
Top speed (km/h): 150/160
Dimensions (mm): 4125x1770x1570 / 4280x1770x1570
Swiss-specific note: For primarily urban/suburban use (short commutes, occasional cantonal trips) this car offers strong value. For longer Alpine excursions you’ll want to verify the WLTP figure and check charging network compatibility.
BYD Atto 3 – Balanced family/short-trip SUV
A compact SUV that bridges daily commuting and occasional longer drives.
Why it works for Switzerland: With more space than the Dolphin and decent range for medium-distance Swiss travel (e.g., canton-to-canton), it’s a strong value option. A Swiss listing shows CHF 28,790 for a model with 60.5 kWh battery.
Technical specs (DCAR, 2025):
Type: Electric
Range (km) CLTC: 430km / 510km
Range (km) WLTP: 353km / 418km (Reference: EV Range Converter)
Charging time (hrs): Fast charge 0.5 hours
100km Power Consumption (kWh/100km): 12.2 ~ 12.5
Battery capacity (kWh): 49.92 ~ 60.48
Top speed (km/h): 160
Dimensions (mm): 4455x1875x1615
Swiss-specific note: If your driving frequently involves longer routes or mountain passes, check thermal management and range degradation in cold conditions. Registration fees and logistics should be reviewed when importing.
MG4 – Established channel, fewer surprises
A compact hatchback EV with a bit more maturity (brand/distribution) in Europe.
Why it works for Switzerland: MG already has presence in Switzerland/Europe, which may ease parts/servicing worries. One listing shows CHF 21,900 for a new 51 kWh version.
Technical specs (DCAR, 2025):
Type: Electric
Range (km) CLTC: 437km / 530km
Range (km) WLTP: 358km / 435km (Reference: EV Range Converter)
Charging time (hrs): Fast charge 0.33~0.35 hours
100km Power Consumption (kWh/100km): 10.4 ~ 11.9
Battery capacity (kWh): 42.8 ~ 53.95
Top speed (km/h): 160
Dimensions (mm): 4395x1842x1551
Swiss-specific note: If you prefer to minimise import complexity and want easier maintenance assurance, MG4 is a smart pick. Also strong for urban + cantonal driving rather than heavy mountain duty.
ORA 03 (Good Cat) – Stylish urban option
A compact EV with personality, more style than pure utilitarian.
Why it works for Switzerland: For buyers who value design and the feel of the interior as well as function, ORA 03 offers that within budget. Swiss listings show new cars from roughly CHF 31,000.
Technical specs (DCAR, 2025):
Type: Electric
Range (km) CLTC: 401km / 430km
Range (km) WLTP: 329km / 353km (Reference: EV Range Converter)
Charging time (hrs): Fast charge 0.5 hours
100km Power Consumption (kWh/100km): 12 ~ 13.3
Battery capacity (kWh): 45.9
Top speed (km/h): 150
Dimensions (mm): 4235x1825x1596 / 4242x1825x1632
Swiss-specific note: Good for city + short regional use. If your drive includes long motorway or cable-car linked mountain passes, verify battery size/efficiency and charging compatibility.
Leapmotor C10 – SUV appeal with caveats
A mid-sized SUV from a newer Chinese brand, good scope but import complexity higher.
Why it works for Switzerland (and what to check): A Swiss listing shows CHF 38,700 for a new C10. For buyers wanting a little more space and SUV shape under budget, this is interesting. However: multiple versions (pure EV, REEV) and newer brand mean you must check homologation, parts/support and certification details closely.
Technical specs (DCAR, 2025):
Type: pure EV / REEV
| Pure EV | REEV | |
| Range (km) CLTC | 530km / 605km | 210km |
| Range (km) WLTP | 435km / 496km | 140km |
| Combined range (km) WLTP | - | 1020km |
| Charging time (hrs) | Fast charge 0.27 ~ 0.5 hours | Fast charge 0.3 hours |
| 100km Power Consumption (kWh/100km) | 14.1 ~ 14.5 | 18.1 |
| Battery capacity (kWh) | 69.9 ~ 74.9 | 28.4 |
| Top speed (km/h) | 170 / 190 | 170 |
| Dimensions (mm) | 4739x1900x1680 | 4739x1900x1680 |
Swiss-specific note: If your route includes deep alpine zones or you need cabin/boot space, this could be the one. Just budget for extra diligence on paperwork and after-sales planning.
Summary – How to decide
Lowest cost entry & primarily city use: BYD Dolphin
Family/longer ride flexibility: BYD Atto 3
Most ‘safe’ channel/import path: MG4
Design-forward urban driving: ORA 03
SUV shape plus budget constraint: Leapmotor C10 (with caveats)
Before signing on any model, check: type-approval for Switzerland (homologation), local servicing capacity, parts logistics, winter-range performance, and total landed cost including importation, compliance, VAT, registration.
FAQ
Q: Are these models homologated for Swiss roads?
A: Most are compatible with EU homologation standards (WLTP-certified). However, individual importers must ensure compliance with Swiss registration requirements (lighting, charging interface, etc.).
Q: How about after-sales and servicing?
A: BYD and MG have growing service networks in Europe, while Leapmotor, Xpeng, and Ora currently rely on authorized importers. Service availability should be confirmed before purchase.
Q: Can these EVs charge on Swiss Type 2 / CCS infrastructure?
A: Yes. All listed models support Type 2 and CCS fast charging standards.
References
DCAR (2025). DCAR. Retrieved from https://www.dongchedi.com/auto/series/20041
EV Range converter (2025). EV Range converter. Retrieved from https://ev-range-standard-converter.web.app/
