Proton e.MAS 5 vs BYD Atto 1 vs Nammi Box

If you have around 30 to 37 lakh to spend on an electric car in Nepal right now, three names keep coming up: the Proton e.MAS 5, the BYD Atto 1, and the Dongfeng Nammi 01, which many buyers know simply as the Nammi Box. All three are compact, city-first EVs that promise low running costs, modern cabins, and enough range for daily Kathmandu life. But they go about it in very different ways.

I have spent time with all three, and the honest truth is that there is no single obvious winner here. Each one is clearly the best choice for a certain kind of buyer, and a poor choice for another. This comparison is about helping you figure out which of those buyers you are.

Let us break them down properly.

Quick snapshot

Prices and specs vary by variant and are subject to revision, so always confirm the exact figures for the trim you are buying.

Proton e.MAS 5: the tech-forward all-rounder

The e.MAS 5 is the newest of the three and it feels it. Proton, with backing from Geely, has thrown a genuinely generous amount of equipment at this car. The headline is that enormous 14.6-inch central touchscreen paired with an 8.8-inch digital driver's display, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, six airbags, and a full ADAS suite that is a step ahead of the other two here.

There are two variants. The Prime uses a 30 kWh battery with a 58 kW (79 PS) motor and a 225 km WLTP range. The Premium steps up to a 40 kWh pack, a stronger 85 kW (116 PS) motor with 150 Nm, and a 325 km WLTP range, which is the longest claimed figure in this group. The Premium is also the quickest car here off the line by a clear margin.

Charging is a strong point. On DC fast charging the Prime can do a 30 to 80 percent top up in around 21 minutes, and a home AC charge from 10 to 80 percent takes roughly 4.3 hours. Proton also backs it with a 6-year unlimited mileage vehicle warranty and an 8-year battery and drivetrain warranty, which is reassuring for a newer brand in Nepal.

Pros

• Biggest screen and the most complete tech and ADAS package in this comparison
• Longest claimed range and strongest performance in Premium form
• Fast DC charging and a strong, long warranty
• Feels the most like a modern, grown-up car inside

Cons

• The newest brand of the three in Nepal, so the service and resale story is still being written
• The base Prime's 225 km range is the shortest here
• Larger footprint than the Atto 1 makes the tightest lanes slightly less effortless

BYD Atto 1: the city specialist with a trusted badge

The Atto 1, known globally as the Seagull, is the smallest and most single-minded of the three. At 3,780 mm long it is a proper small car, and that is the whole point. Parking in Ason, threading through Patan's back lanes, and pulling U-turns on narrow roads is where it shines. It is the easiest of these three to live with in dense traffic.

Underneath sits BYD's LFP Blade Battery, which has earned a strong reputation for thermal safety. The Dynamic variant gets a 30.08 kWh pack for 230 km WLTP, while the Premium's 38.88 kWh pack claims 300 km. Both use a 45 kW motor with 135 Nm. The Atto 1 is not built to be quick, and it does not pretend to be. It is tuned for smooth, efficient, stress-free city driving.

Inside you get BYD's signature rotating 10.1-inch touchscreen, six airbags, a 360-degree camera, OTA updates, wireless smartphone connectivity, and even V2L to power external devices. The cabin design is playful and modern. The one catch worth knowing is that the Atto 1 is officially a 4-seater, so it is the least accommodating here if you regularly carry five.

Pros

• Smallest and easiest car to drive and park in crowded city conditions
• BYD's well-proven Blade Battery and the most established EV service network of the three in Nepal
• Rotating screen, 360 camera, V2L, and a strong feature list for the money
• Typically the most affordable entry point into this trio

Cons

• Officially a 4-seater, so it is the least family-friendly here
• The least powerful motor, so highway overtakes need more planning
• Smallest boot of the three

Nammi Box: the roomy, feature-loaded value pick

The Nammi Box, sold in Nepal as the Dongfeng Nammi 01, takes a different shape entirely. It is taller and boxier, measuring 4,030 mm long with a generous 176 mm of ground clearance, which is the most useful number here for anyone who deals with rough patches, unpaved sections, or steep driveways. That height also translates into the airiest cabin and the biggest boot at 400 litres.

It is offered with two batteries. The E2 uses a 31.4 kWh LFP pack for 237 km, while the E3 steps up to 42.3 kWh for 317 km, the second longest range in this group. The 70 kW (95 PS) motor with 160 Nm gives it the strongest torque figure of the three, so it feels punchy around town. Charging supports fast DC top-ups in around 30 to 60 minutes depending on the setup.

Feature-wise the Nammi punches hard. You get a 12.8-inch infotainment display, wireless charging, a self-parking system, AutoHold, ventilated memory seats, a 360-degree camera, and Level 2 ADAS. The dual-tone paint options add a bit of personality for a small premium. The main thing to weigh is that it sits at the higher end of this price band, and its ADAS and screen are not quite as polished as the Proton's.

Pros

• Roomiest cabin, biggest boot, and highest ground clearance of the three
• Strongest torque and a genuine 5-seat layout
• Long feature list including ventilated seats, self-parking, and AutoHold
• Tall, upright design that many buyers simply find more practical

Cons

• Priciest of the three, especially in E3 dual-tone form
• Infotainment and ADAS are good but not as refined as the Proton's
• Dongfeng's network in Nepal is growing but less established than BYD's

Head to head on what actually matters

Range and charging. On paper the Proton e.MAS 5 Premium leads with 325 km, the Nammi E3 follows at 317 km, and the Atto 1 Premium sits at 300 km. In real Nepali conditions, with hills, traffic, and AC, expect all three to land comfortably within daily-commute territory. The Proton has the edge on fast-charging speed, which matters if you take the occasional intercity trip.

Space and practicality. This is the Nammi Box's clearest win. It is the only one that comfortably seats five, carries the most luggage, and clears rough roads best. The e.MAS 5 is a close second and still a true 5-seater. The Atto 1 trades space for city agility, and its 4-seat layout is the biggest asterisk in this group.

Technology and safety. All three offer six-way modern tech, but the ranking is fairly clear. The Proton leads with the largest screen and the sharpest ADAS. The Nammi is a strong second with plenty of gadgets. The Atto 1's rotating screen and 360 camera are lovely, though its feature count is a touch behind, and it has fewer airbags to consider only if you compare exact variants.

Driving feel. The e.MAS 5 Premium is the one to pick if you enjoy a car that feels quick and planted. The Nammi feels torquey and upright, easy to see out of. The Atto 1 is the most relaxed and the most effortless in tight traffic, but the least eager on the open road.

Ownership and peace of mind. BYD currently has the most mature service and parts network in Nepal, and the Blade Battery's reputation is a genuine comfort factor. Proton counters with an excellent warranty. Dongfeng sits in between, with a network that is expanding quickly.

So which one should you buy?

There is deliberately no single winner here, because the right answer depends entirely on how you drive.

• Buy the Proton e.MAS 5 if you want the most modern, tech-rich, and best-performing car of the three, and a strong warranty matters to you more than a long track record in Nepal.
• Buy the BYD Atto 1 if your life is mostly city driving, you want the easiest car to park, and you value BYD's proven battery and established service network. Just be sure four seats is enough for you.
• Buy the Nammi Box if space, ground clearance, and a genuine five-seat layout top your list, and you are happy to pay a little more for the roomiest, most practical package.

Whichever way you lean, all three are strong small EVs that will slash your running costs compared to petrol. The best move is to test drive at least two of them back to back. The differences in size, seating, and screen feel are the kind of thing that decide the purchase far more than any spec sheet.

Tools and resources

• Compare EVs - put these three side by side in detail
• EMI Calculator - estimate your monthly payments
• Find an EV - browse all EVs on sale in Nepal
• EV Brands - explore available manufacturers