Some of us automatically assume electric vehicles (EVs) are heavy on the wallet, when in fact some are more affordable than petrol cars of the same size.
These cars have been selected from the electric vehicles currently on sale in Australia for less than $50,000. The list is based on the cheapest version of each model, and is dominated by Chinese cars.
GWM Ora
At the top of our list is the GWM Ora Standard Range, priced at $35,990 drive-away.
GMW Ora Standard Range
Not only is the Chinese-made vehicle the cheapest car on our list, it’s backed by a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.
The 48kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack delivers a claimed driving range of 310km on the stricter WLTP test cycle, and can charge from 10 to 80 per cent in 41 minutes.
The Standard Range features wired Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto.
| GWM Ora | Drive-away price |
|---|---|
| GWM Ora Standard Range | $35,990 |
| GWM Ora Extended Range | $40,990 |
| GWM Ora Ultra | $43,990 |
| GWM Ora GT | $46,990 |
BUY: Get in touch with a dealer about GWM Ora
MORE: Everything GWM Ora
BYD Dolphin
Second on the list is the BYD Dolphin, starting at $36,890 excluding on-road costs for the Dynamic.
BYD Dolphin Dynamic
The Dynamic variant can travel 340km on the WLTP test cycle, on a full charge of its 44.9kWh battery.
It’s also backed by a six-year, 150,000km warranty, and is only fitted with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
| BYD Dolphin | Price before on-roads |
|---|---|
| BYD Dolphin Dynamic | $36,890 |
| BYD Dolphin Premium | $42,890 |
BUY: Get in touch with a dealer about BYD Dolphin
MORE: Everything BYD Dolphin
MG ZS EV
The MG ZS EV is the cheapest SUV on this list, with model year 2023 (MY23) examples still in showrooms priced from $39,990 drive-away until June 30, 2024.
The base ZS EV Excite has 320km of range on the WLTP test cycle, and uses a 51.1kWh lithium-ion battery.
It features wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
It’s backed by a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty for both the vehicle and the battery.
| MG ZS EV | Drive-away price |
|---|---|
| MG ZS EV Excite | $39,990 |
| MG ZS EV Essence | $42,990 |
| MG ZS EV Long Range | $46,990 |
BUY: Get in touch with a dealer about MG ZS EV
MORE: Everything MG ZS EV
MG 4
The MG 4 Excite 51 is the most affordable variant of its family, priced at $40,990 drive-away.
MG 4 Excite 51
The Excite 51 has a 51kWh battery pack, capable of travelling a claimed 350km on the WLTP test cycle.
The five-door hatchback is also backed by a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty – covering both the vehicle and battery – and contains wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Model year 2024 (MY24) vehicles are no different from MY23 vehicles, which are still in stock.
MY23 Excite, Essence and Long Range models are available for $1000 less than their MY24 equivalents. That means you can buy a base Excite 51 for $39,990 drive-away, the same price as the ZS EV Excite.
| MG 4 | Drive-away price |
|---|---|
| MG 4 Excite 51 | $40,990 |
| MG 4 Excite 64 | $45,990 |
| MG 4 Essence 64 | $47,990 |
| MG 4 Long Range 77 | $53,990 |
| MG 4 XPower | $59,990 |
BUY: Get in touch with a dealer about MG 4
MORE: Everything MG 4
BYD Atto 3
The BYD Atto 3 was already one of the most affordable EVs in Australia, but a recent price cut has made it even more accessible.
Starting at $44,499 before on-roads, the BYD Atto 3 Standard Range features a 49.92kWh LFP battery pack good for a claimed range of 345km on the WLTP test cycle when fully charged.
BYD Atto 3 Standard Range
The Atto 3 is backed by a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty and equipped with both wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
| BYD Atto 3 | Price before on-roads |
|---|---|
| BYD Atto 3 Standard Range | $44,499 |
| BYD Atto 3 Extended Range | $47,499 |
BUY: Get in touch with a dealer about BYD Atto 3
MORE: Everything BYD Atto 3
