The number of electric vehicles (EVs) on sale has grown markedly over the past few years, and there’s been a flurry of new models at the more affordable end of the market.
In 2023 alone, BYD, GWM and MG all introduced sub-$40,000 electric hatchbacks.
Indeed, Chinese brands dominate this list of the cheapest EVs in Australia, much as they do overall electric vehicle (EV) sales.
Last year, EV sales were up by 160 per cent over 2022, and almost all of the top 10 best-selling EVs were Chinese-built models.
Below are the 10 most affordable EVs in Australia:
- BYD Dolphin Dynamic: $38,890
- GWM Ora Standard Range: $39,990
- MG 4 Excite 51: $39,990
- MG ZS EV Excite: $41,990
- BYD Atto 3 Standard Range: $48,011
- BYD Seal Dynamic Standard Range: $49,888
- Nissan Leaf: $50,990
- Fiat 500e La Prima: $52,500
- Hyundai Kona Electric: $54,000
- Abrath 500e Turismo: $58,900
- Cupra Born: $59,990
All prices exclude on-road costs.
BYD Dolphin
BYD’s small hatchback range opens at $38,890 before on-road costs for the Dolphin Dynamic, with the mid-spec Premium costing $44,890 before on-road costs. The upcoming Sport is priced at $49,990 before on-road costs.
The BYD Dolphin Dynamic has a single 70kW/180Nm electric motor, powered by a 44.9kWh Blade battery. The claimed 0-100km/h time is 12.3 seconds. It has 340km of range on the WLTP cycle, with DC charging at up to 60kW.
The Dolphin Premium upgrades to a 60.48kWh battery and a 150kW/310Nm electric motor, slashing the 0-100km/h time to 7.0 seconds. It has 427km of range and DC charging at up to 80kW.
Specifications haven’t been confirmed for the Sport, though BYD’s local distributor claims a 0-100km/h time of under seven seconds.
Standard equipment across the BYD Dolphin range includes a 12.8-inch rotating touchscreen infotainment system with wired Apple CarPlay, a 5.0-inch digital instrument cluster and a panoramic glass roof.
You can view our BYD Dolphin price and specs article here.
If you’re looking to purchase a BYD Dolphin, CarExpert can help you find one and connect you with the right dealer. Click on this link for more information.
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GWM Ora
GWM Australia is currently offering a $4000 discount on all 2023 Ora hatchback variants ordered and delivered by March 31, 2024, making it technically the cheapest electric car on the market at the moment.
Without the discount, the GWM Ora range starts from $39,990 before on-road costs for the base Standard Range.
The Extended Range is $45,990 before on-road costs, while the Extended Range Ultra is $48,990 before on-road costs and the top-spec Extended Range GT – which arrived into showrooms recently – is $51,990 before on-road costs.
Power in the Ora comes from a front-mounted electric motor making 126kW of power and 250Nm of torque.
Two battery packs are offered. The Standard Range uses a 48kWh lithium iron phosphate unit, while Extended Range models use a nickel manganese cobalt 63kWh unit.
The GWM Ora has a claimed range of 320km on the tougher WLTP test cycle. Opting for the Extended Range ups that to 420km on the same test. GWM says the smaller battery can charge from 10 to 80 per cent in 41 minutes.
Standard equipment on the base Ora includes a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Andriod Auto connectivity, leatherette upholstery and a surround-view camera.
If you’re looking to purchase a GWM Ora, CarExpert can help you find one and connect you with the right dealer. Click on this link for more information.
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MG 4
MG’s small electric hatch differs from its BYD and GWM rivals with more aggressive styling and a rear-wheel drive layout.
The MG 4 range opens with the Excite 51 at $39,990 before on-road costs. Pricing for the MG 4 Excite 64 is $44,990 before on-road costs, while the MG 4 Essence 64 costs $47,990 before on-road costs, and the extended-range MG 4 Essence 77 is $55,990 before on-road costs.
MG Australia has also launched a more powerful XPower flagship with a sticker price of $59,990 before on-road costs.
The MG 4 Excite 51 produces 125kW of power from a rear-mounted electric motor, teamed with a 51kWh battery, offering a claimed 0-100km/h time of 7.7 seconds.
The MG 4 61 produces 150kW of power with the 64kWh battery, with a claimed 0-100km/h time of 7.9s. With the larger 77kWh battery, power is bumped up to 180kW while the claimed 0-100km/h time is under 7.0 seconds.
MG 4 XPower
The XPower uses the mid-range 64kWh battery, which can be charged at up to 140kW using DC power, and offers 385km of range on the WLTP cycle. Its dual motor set-up produces 320kW and 600Nm, with a claimed 0-100km/h time of just 3.8 seconds.
Standard equipment across the MG 4 range includes a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster, keyless entry and start as well as a one-pedal drive mode.
If you’re looking to purchase an MG 4, CarExpert can help you find one and connect you with the right dealer. Click on this link for more information.
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MG ZS EV
The ZS EV is no longer MG’s most affordable EV now that it offers the MG 4 hatch.
The range opens at $41,990 before on-road costs for the Excite, followed by the Essence at $44,990 before on-road costs. The flagship Essence Long Range, which gains a larger battery pack, is now priced at $51,990 before on-road costs.
The 2024 MG ZS EV Excite and Essence have a front-mounted electric motor with 130kW of power and 280Nm of torque, with a claimed 0-100km/h time of 8.2 seconds.
These models use a 50.3kWh lithium iron phosphate battery, with WLTP range of 320km.
The 2024 MG ZS EV Long Range has a front-mounted electric motor with 115kW and 280Nm, with a claimed 0-100km/h time of 8.5 seconds.
It upgrades to a 72kWh battery lithium iron phosphate battery with WLTP range of 440km.
The ZS EV Standard Range can be charged at up to 50kW on DC power and will take 54 minutes to charge from 0-80 per cent, while the ZS EV Long Range requires 63 minutes.
All models are available only with front-wheel drive.
Standard equipment includes a 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wired Apple CarPlay and Andriod Auto, a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster, vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability, and keyless entry.
You can view our MG ZS EV price and specs article here.
If you’re looking to purchase an MG ZS EV, CarExpert can help you find one and connect you with the right dealer. Click on this link for more information.
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BYD Atto 3
The BYD Atto 3 was Australia’s third best-selling EV in 2023, behind only the Tesla Model Y and Model 3.
The line-up opens with the Standard Range at $48,011 before on-road costs, while the Extended Range costs $51,011 before on-road costs.
Both variants of the 2023 BYD Atto 3 are powered by a single electric motor producing 150kW of power and 310Nm, with drive sent through the front wheels.
The Standard Range is fitted with a 49.92kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) Blade battery and is claimed to have a range of 345km according to WLTP testing.
The flagship Extended Range on the other hand is fitted with a larger 60.48kWh LFP Blade battery and is claimed to have 420km of range.
Both Atto 3 models have a maximum AC charging speed of 7kW, with the Atto 3 Standard Range having a maximum DC charging speed of 70kW, and the Extended Range having a slightly higher maximum DC charging speed of 80kW.
Standard equipment on the BYD Atto 3 includes a 12.8-inch rotating touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 5.0-inch digital instrument cluster, voice assistant and a panoramic sunroof among other features.
If you’re looking to purchase a BYD Atto 3, CarExpert can help you find one and connect you with the right dealer. Click on this link for more information.
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BYD Seal
The BYD Seal sedan is the Chinese brand’s rival for the Tesla Model 3, and is offered in three variants.
The base Dynamic Standard Range costs $49,888 before on-road costs, the Premium Extended Range costs $58,798 before on-road costs and the top-spec Performance AWD will set you back $68,748 before on-road costs.
The Dynamic Standard Range features a single electric motor and rear-wheel drive, with 150kW of power and 310Nm of torque and a claimed 0-100km/h time of 7.5 seconds.
The Premium Extended Range also uses a single-motor rear-wheel drive configuration, with 230kW and 360Nm and a 0-100km/h time of 5.9 seconds.
The Performance AWD features a dual-motor all-wheel drive configuration with 390kW and 670Nm and a claimed 0-100km/h time of 3.8 seconds.
WLTP range is 460km in the Dynamic, 570km in the Premium and 520km in the Performance. All bar the Dynamic use an 82.5kWh lithium iron phosphate battery, with the base model using a smaller 61.4kWh unit.
Standard equipment in the BYD Seal Dynamic Standard Range includes a 15.6-inch rotating touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, a 12-speaker 775W Dynaudio sound system, dual wireless phone chargers, heated and ventilated front seats and a panoramic glass roof.
You view our BYD Seal price and specs article here.
If you’re looking to purchase a BYD Seal, CarExpert can help you find one and connect you with the right dealer. Click on this link for more information.
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Nissan Leaf
Nissan was an early entrant into the electric vehicle market with the first-generation Leaf.
The current, second-generation model – launched here in 2019 – is presently priced from $50,990 before on-road costs, while the Leaf e+ starts from $61,490 before on-road costs.
Both versions of the Nissan Leaf are powered by a single electric motor driving the front axle, hooked up to a lithium-ion battery pack.
The standard Leaf features a 110kW/320Nm e-motor, while the e+ ups those outputs to 160kW/340Nm.
In standard trim, the Leaf will accelerate from 0-100km/h in a claimed 7.9 seconds, while the Leaf e+ does the sprint in 6.9 seconds.
The standard Leaf features a 40kWh battery pack good for a claimed zero-emissions driving range of 270 kilometres per charge on the WLTP cycle.
Opting for the e+ ups battery capacity to 62kWh and claimed range increases to a more substantial 385km.
The e+ is capable of 100kW DC charging while the standard Leaf makes do with 50kW DC charging.
The base Leaf can be charged from 20 per cent to 80 per cent in 60 minutes using a 50kW charger, while it takes the e+ 90 minutes to do the same. With its greater DC charging capability, however, you can add the same amount of charge in 45 minutes with a 100kW charger.
Both vehicles also have bi-directional charge capability, meaning they’re engineered for Vehicle-to-Grid use whereby the car can send power back to a home or business.
Standard equipment in the entry-level Nissan Leaf includes an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, voice recognition, and a 7-speaker Bose sound system.
If you’re looking to purchase a Nissan Leaf, CarExpert can help you find one and connect you with the right dealer. Click on this link for more information.
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Fiat 500e
After a long wait, Fiat’s cute little electric hatchback finally arrived in Australia during 2023.
The Fiat 500e La Prima is priced from $52,500 before on-road costs.
It’s powered by a single, front-mounted electric motor producing 87kW of power and 220Nm of torque. This is mated with a 42kWh lithium-ion battery pack. Fiat claims the 500e can do the 0-100km/h sprint in 9.0 seconds.
It has 311km of range on the WLTP cycle.
The 500e can charge at a maximum rate of 85kW when plugged into a DC fast-charger. Fiat claims a charge from 0-80 per cent will take 35 minutes.
The Fiat 500e La Prima comes standard with a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster, and beige eco-leather upholstery.
If you’re looking to purchase a Fiat 500e, CarExpert can help you find one and connect you with the right dealer. Click on this link for more information.
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Hyundai Kona Electric
Redesigned last year, the second-generation Hyundai Kona Electric range starts at $54,000 before on-roads for the Standard Range model.
There are three variants in the Kona Electric range. The Extended Range is priced at $58,000 before on-road costs and the flagship Premium Extended Range is $68,000 before on-road costs.
The Standard Range is powered by a single, front-mounted electric motor producing 99kW of power and 255Nm of torque. This is fed by a 48.6kWh lithium-ion battery pack.
It has a claimed range of 370km on the WLTP cycle.
The two Kona Electric Extended Range variants on the other hand are powered by a more powerful single, front-mounted electric motor producing 150kW and 255Nm.
This is fed by a 64.8kWh lithium-ion battery pack, with the Extended Range having 505km of range and the Premium Extended Range offering 444km.
All Kona Electric variants come with a new-generation version of the i-Pedal regenerative braking mode which enables one-pedal driving.
When connected to a 100kW DC fast-charging station, the Kona Electric is claimed to be able to charge from 10 to 80 per cent in 45 minutes in both Standard and Extended Range forms. You can charge it at up to 10.4kW using AC power.
Standard equipment on the Hyundai Kona Electric include a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a wireless phone charger.
You can view our Kona Electric price and specs article here.
If you’re looking to purchase a Hyundai Kona Electric, CarExpert can help you find one and connect you with the right dealer. Click on this link for more information.
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Abarth 500e
The Australian Abarth 500e range launched here late in 2023 with the limited edition Scorpionissima, of which just 219 examples were earmarked for Australia carrying a price tag of $60,500 before on-roads.
For 2024, the range opens with the Turismo, priced at $58,900 before on-roads.
The Abarth 500e is powered by a single, front-mounted electric motor producing 113.7kW of power and 235Nm of torque with a claimed 0-100km/h time of 7.0 seconds.
It uses a 42kWh battery pack, with 252km of range on the WLTP cycle. It supports DC fast-charging at rates up to 85kW, reaching 80 per cent capacity in 35 minutes.
Standard features include a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster, keyless entry and start and Alcantara seat and dash upholstery among other features.
You can view our Abarth 500e price and specs article here.
If you’re looking to purchase a Abarth 500e, CarExpert can help you find one and connect you with the right dealer. Click on this link for more information.
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Cupra Born
The Cupra Born kicks off at $59,990 before on-road costs, equivalent to a drive-away price (before incentives) of around $63,000 depending on the state.
The rear-wheel drive hatch uses a 77kWh (usable) lithium-ion battery pack, and a single, rear-mounted electric motor making 170kW of power and 310Nm of torque.
The 0-100km/h sprint takes a claimed 7.0 seconds.
The 77kWh lithium-ion battery is good for a claimed 511km of range on the WLTP test, although that drops to 475km with the Performance Pack fitted.
It’ll charge at up to 11kW on an AC charger, and 170kW hooked up to a DC fast charger.
The Cupra Born features a 5.3-inch digital instrument cluster, 12-inch infotainment system with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a surround-view camera.
If you’re looking to purchase a Cupra Born, CarExpert can help you find one and connect you with the right dealer. Click on this link for more information.
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