Australia’s 10 Most Affordable Electric Cars

With Middle East tensions sending fuel prices soaring for the foreseeable future, many motorists looking for a new car will be putting electric cars higher on their shopping lists, especially those on a budget.

Not too long ago, those with $40,000 or less to spend on a new electric car would’ve been met with “404: Car Not Found” on carsales, Australia’s most popular destination for buying and selling new and used cars…

But the rapid evolution of the Australian EV market now means there are 10 models to choose from at the time of writing. Here’s the list if you’re looking to make the switch to EV.

BYD Atto 1

This car reset the benchmark for EV pricing in Australia. Indeed, the BYD Atto 1 kicks off at a remarkable $23,990 plus on-road costs (+ORCs) for the Essential model grade. It’s very much a price-leader, with a modest e-motor (65kW/175Nm) and a small 30kWh battery offering 220km (WLTP) of range.

But what it could save you in energy costs as fuel prices keep rising could be significant.

Spending an extra $4000 on the Premium ($27,990 +ORCs) improves power to 115kW/220Nm (cutting the 0-100km/h time from 11.1 to 9.1sec) and a 43.2kWh battery with 310km (WLTP) of range.

In addition, there’s faster DC charging, a 360-degree camera, powered front seats with heating, auto wipers, LED headlights, wireless charging and one-touch driver’s power window.

BYD Dolphin

Those who require more space than in the diminutive Atto1 might look at the BYD Dolphin, which is 300mm longer in length and 200mm longer in wheelbase than its smaller sibling.

Unlike other cars on this list, there isn’t a huge difference in equipment between the $29,990 (+ORCs) Essential and $36,990 (+ORCs) Premium, though the latter does score heated seats, wireless charging, power-folding mirrors, panoramic glass roof and rain-sensing wipers. Lots of extra fruit.

Where the two differ is in the drivetrain, the Essential using a 70kW/180Nm front electric motor and a 44.9kWh battery, while the Premium uses a 150kW/310Nm motor and 60kWh battery, which slashes the 0-100km/h time from 12.3sec to 7.0sec and increases the range from 340km to 427km (WLTP). The rear suspension is also a more sophisticated multi-link arrangement rather than the base model’s torsion beam, so should drive a little better too.

GAC AION UT

If you’re quick, you can score a GAC AION UT Premium for $30,990 drive-away or $35,990 drive-away for the Luxury model grade. This is for the first 600 orders or until April 9, 2026, after which pricing reverts to $31,990 (+ORCS) and $35,990 (+ORCs) for each variant.

Common to both is a single 150kW/210Nm front motor with a 60kWh battery providing 430km (WLTP) of range and 0-100km/h in 7.3sec.

For your extra $4000, the Luxury includes a power tailgate, power-folding mirrors, a panoramic sunroof, wireless charging, rear USB-A port, ventilated driver’s seat and auto anti-glare rear vision mirror.

BYD Atto 2

Like the GAC AION UT, the BYD Atto 2 is priced at $31,990 (+ORCs) for the entry grade and $35,990 for the higher variant, though in this case they’re called Dynamic and Premium respectively.

Both use the same e-motor (130kW/290Nm) to drive the front wheels, fed by a 51.13kWh battery for a WLTP range of 345km, while 0-100km/h is claimed to take 7.9 seconds.

Upgrading to the Premium adds a healthy amount of useful equipment, including a 360-degree camera, front parking sensors, panoramic glass roof, roof racks, powered front seats with heating and ventilation, larger 12.8-inch infotainment (up from 10.1), eight-speaker stereo, wireless charging, one-touch windows all round and power folding mirrors.

GWM Ora

The ‘uniquely styled’ GWM Ora – which is very similar to the electric MINI Cooper underneath – is offered in two grades. The $35,990 Lux and $38,990 GT, both prices being drive-away. Despite what the looks and name suggest, the latter offers no more power, both variants using a 126kW/250Nm front e-motor and 57.7kWh battery.

Acceleration from 0-100km/h is identical at 9.0sec, but the Lux’s 400km of range reduces to 380km, presumably as a result of the extra drag of its bodykit as that’s the only real mechanical or stylistic difference between the two variants.

The GT does feature more equipment, including a panoramic sunroof, power tailgate, heated steering wheel, memory driver’s seat, heating, ventilation and massage for the front seats and power-folding mirrors.

Jaecoo J5

The latest offering from Chery’s sub-brand, the Jaecoo J5 is offered in just the one variant, the $35,990 (+ORCs) Summit. A 155kW/288Nm electric motor drives the front wheels and a 58.9kW battery provides 402km of range, while a maximum DC charging rate of 130kW is quicker than most other offerings at this price point.

Its price matches the higher grades of rival machines – but so does its specification list, with powered, heated and ventilated front seats, a glass roof, power tailgate, LED lighting, dual-zone climate control, wireless charging and a 13.2-inch portrait infotainment screen with an eight-speaker stereo.

Chery E5

The electric version of the C5 small SUV, the Chery E5 starts at $36,990 (+ORCs) for the Urban and $40,990 (+ORCs) for the Ultimate, though currently both models are available for $38,990 and $42,990 drive-away respectively.

Under the skin you’ll find the same running gear as the Jaecoo J5, with a 155kW/288Nm front electric motor and a 58.9kWh battery, though the E5 offers a little extra range with a WLTP claim of 430km.

Stretching to the Ultimate adds synthetic leather upholstery, heated front and outboard rear seats, heated steering wheel, powered front seats, a power tailgate, ambient lighting, eight-speaker stereo, wireless charging and a power sunroof.

Leapmotor B10

Another of the newer kids on the block, the Leapmotor B10 differs from most of its rivals by having its 160kW/240Nm electric motor on the rear axle for a 0-100km/h time of 8.0sec. It’s also one of the more engaging Chinese EVs to drive right now.

The $37,888 (+ORCs) B10 Style uses a 56.2kWh battery with 361km of range (WLTP) while the $40,888 (+ORCs) B10 Design has a larger 67.1kWh battery for 434km of range. Both variants have drive-away deals at the time of writing at $38,990 and $41,990 respectively.

As well as the larger battery, the Design features synthetic leather upholstery, powered, heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, power tailgate, 12-speaker stereo (up from six), rain-sensing wipers, power-folding mirrors, a rear centre armrest with cupholders and an LED rear light bar.

Hyundai Inster

The oh-so-cute Hyundai Inster is the cheapest non-Chinese EV offering in Australia, starting at $39,000 (+ORCs) for the standard variant, rising to $42,500 for the Extended Range and topping out at $45,000 (+ORCs) for the Cross.

Opening the range is a 71kW/147Nm front electric motor with a 42kWh battery for 327km (WLTP) of range, while the Extended Range uses an 85kW/147Nm electric motor and a 49kWh battery for 360km of range.

The rugged-looking Inster Cross uses the Extended Range drivetrain.

The Extended Range’s equipment list mirrors the standard car’s bar the addition of 17-inch wheels, while stepping up to the Cross adds blind-spot monitoring, reverse emergency braking, a 360-degree camera, front and side parking sensors, leather upholstery, flat folding front seats, glass sunroof, heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, ambient lighting and more rugged exterior styling. Probably money well spent.

BYD Atto 3

One of the first affordable EVs to first land in Australia a few years ago, the BYD Atto3 is offered in two guises, the $39,990 (+ORCs) Essential and $44,990 (+ORCs) Premium, which both have a 150kW/310Nm electric motor on the front axle.

Despite being identically powered, the Premium for some reason is claimed to be six-tenths of a second quicker to 100km/h (7.3sec vs 7.9sec). It has a larger 60.48kWh battery (49.92kWh Essential), which increases the range claim from 345km to 420km (WLTP), and can charge at 88kW instead of 70kW.

Extra kit for the increased outlay includes 18-inch wheels (up from 17s), panoramic sunroof, power tailgate, power-folding mirrors, roof rails, heated front seats, a larger 15.6-inch infotainment screen, eight-speaker stereo and wireless charging.

Join the conversation at our Facebook page
Or email us at editor@carsales.com.au