Top 10 cheapest EVs in Australia, and none of them are Teslas

The electric vehicle (EV) landscape is forever changing in Australia and, thanks to an influx of entry-level models, the competition is hotter than ever.

A lot of the newest entrants – think Leapmotor C10, Xpeng G6, and Zeekr X – are from Chinese brands that are just launching in Australia.

Due to these new EVs from the world’s biggest car market, some models that were previously in the list of top 10 cheapest EVs have been pushed out. These include the Tesla Model 3, Hyundai Kona Electric, and Cupra Born.

Brands like MG and GWM have been tussling for the title of Australia’s cheapest EV for well over a year now, and the current winner is the MG 4.

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In this article we’re going to lay out the 10 cheapest new EVs currently on sale in Australia.

For the sake of continuity, we’ve ranked them using drive-away pricing for Victorian private buyers. This is because only some brands offer drive-away pricing.

It’s worth noting we’re only taking into the account the initial purchase cost. Ongoing costs such as charging, service costs, and insurance, among others, haven’t been considered.

MG 4

As noted above, the MG 4 has been tussling with the GWM Ora for the title of Australia’s cheapest EV.

Thanks to a promotional starting price of $30,990 drive-away for the entry-level MG 4 Excite 51 until October 31, it currently beats out the Ora by $3000.

MG currently offers a wide spread of MG 4 variants, including the mid-range Excite 64, Essence 64, and the Long Range 77.

The flagship of the MG 4 lineup is the high-performance XPower, which is currently priced from $55,990 before on-roads.

BUY: Get in touch with a dealer about an MG 4
MORE: Everything MG 4

GWM Ora

The GWM Ora is the Chinese carmaker’s first EV in Australia.

In other markets this cutesy entry-level EV is referred to as the Ora Good Cat, Ora Funky Cat, and even the Ora 03.

Until December 31, the range opens at $33,990 drive-away for the Ora Standard Range, and extends to $41,990 drive-away for the sporty-looking Ora GT.

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BYD Dolphin

The BYD Dolphin is yet another small electric hatchback from a Chinese carmaker.

Unlike the former two models, BYD hasn’t been cutting the Dolphin’s price or offered drastic promotional pricing to claim the title of Australia’s cheapest EV.

The Dolphin range currently opens at $36,890 before on-roads for the Dynamic, and extends to $42,890 before on-roads for the Premium.

There had previously been a hotter version called the Dolphin Sport planned, but this was cancelled so the company’s distributor, EVDirect, could focus on new vehicle launches.

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Nissan Leaf

Once a pioneer in the Australian EV space, the Nissan Leaf has remained largely unchanged for the last few years. The current-generation model dates back to 2017.

Thanks to a cut-price drive-away offer to clear remaining stock, the Leaf range now starts at $39,990 drive-away. The Leaf e+ also starts at $49,990 drive-away.

It’s worth noting the Leaf is one of the few EVs still on sale in Australia to have a CHAdeMO charge point for DC fast-charging. It has a Type 2 port for AC charging.

A high-riding replacement for the Leaf is expected to be revealed soon and will arrive locally before the end of March 2027.

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MG ZS EV

The MG ZS EV was once Australia’s cheapest EV and for a brief stint earlier this year reclaimed the title. It’s still, however, Australia’s cheapest electric SUV.

In Victoria as it stands right now, the ZS EV range starts at $43,299 drive-away for the Excite, and extends to $50,593 drive-away for the Long Range. Drive-away pricing varies from state-to-state.

The current ZS EV dates back to 2018 as an electric version of the petrol-powered ZS small SUV. It last received a facelift in 2021.

CarExpert understands the ZS EV will be replaced by a new electric SUV called the ES5 in the first half of 2025. It’s based on the same platform as the MG 4.

Chery Omoda E5

The Chery Omoda E5 is an electric version of the petrol-powered Omoda 5 small SUV, which has been sale in Australia for almost two years now.

There are currently two variants in the Omoda E5 range – the BX and EX. Pricing for these variants are $42,990 before on-roads and $45,990 before on-roads, respectively.

Both variants are powered by a single, front-mounted electric motor producing 150kW and 340Nm. This is fed by a 61.1kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery that allows for a WLTP claimed range of 430km.

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BYD Atto 3

The BYD Atto 3 was the first model for the Chinese brand to launch in Australia under current distributor EVDirect.

A recent update brought new Continental tyres, a larger touchscreen infotainment system, new interior and exterior colours, as well as revised styling, among other tweaks.

Pricing for the Atto 3 starts at $44,499 before on-roads for the Standard Range, and extends to $47,499 before on-roads for the Extended Range.

BUY: Get in touch with a dealer about a BYD Atto 3
MORE: Everything BYD Atto 3

Leapmotor C10

Local customer deliveries for the Leapmotor C10 haven’t started just yet, but they’ll commence in November.

Leapmotor and Stellantis – parent of Jeep and Fiat – joined forces earlier this year, establishing a joint-venture called Leapmotor International to help launch the Chinese brand into new markets.

In Australia, Leapmotor vehicles will be distributed by Stellantis Australia.

Pricing for the C10 currently start at $45,888 before on-roads for the Style, and extends to $49,588 before on-roads for the Design.

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Fiat 500e

This Italian electric city-car has been on sale in Australia since 2023 and is a rival for the likes of the Mini Cooper Electric, BYD Dolphin, GWM Ora, and MG 4.

Fiat is still only offering the launch-edition 500e La Prima in Australia, though it has subsequently launched hi-po Abarth 500e variants.

Thanks to a current drive-away pricing offer, the Fiat 500e La Prima is priced at $49,990 drive-away.

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BYD Seal

The BYD Seal is the cheapest electric sedan currently on sale in Australia, undercutting the Tesla Model 3.

Pricing for the Seal starts at $49,888 before on-roads for the Dynamic, and extends to $65,748 before on-roads for the Performance.

Until the end of September, the BYD Seal has been the brand’s top-selling vehicle in Australia. A total of 5308 examples have been sold year-to-date, which is just over half the amount of Tesla Model 3s sold over the same period.

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