Australia’s cheapest EV now even cheaper

The 2024 GWM Ora is now unequivocally Australia’s most affordable EV, following today’s announcement of national drive-away prices starting at just $35,990 drive-away for the bug-eyed electric hatch.

The move ends the ongoing price war – at least for now – between three Chinese-made electric hatchbacks over the title of Australia’s cheapest EV, with the BYD Dolphin remaining priced from $38,890 plus on-road costs and the MG4 priced from $39,990 drive-away.

In January, GWM-Haval Australia offered a temporary $4000 discount on MY23-plated versions of the entry-level Ora Standard Range, which were trimmed to $35,990 plus ORCs until March 31.

Now, the GWM Ora has been permanently priced from $35,990 drive-away (and statutory on-road costs have also been thrown in for the rest of the range – see below for details), making it significantly cheaper than its two direct rivals.

“GWM has been able to utilise continued favourable exchange rates and supply to sharpen Ora pricing and remains committed to offering an excellent combination of technology, comfort, safety and value across the entire range,” said the auto brand today.

However, it’s worth noting that GWM’s Ora EV sub-brand has struggled for brand awareness in Australia compared to both MG and BYD, and with just 282 sales to March this year the Ora hatch has been comprehensively outsold by the Dolphin (688) and MG4 (1335).

There are no changes to GWM Ora specifications, which include a 48kWh battery and 310km driving range for the base Standard Range, and a 63kWh battery providing a 420km range for the Extended Range, which now costs $40,990 drive-away.

Meantime, the higher-spec Ora Ultra now costs $43,990 drive-away and the flagship Ora GT now tops the range at $46,990 drive-away.

GWM said today’s Ora price cuts reconfirm its “local commitment to its New Energy Vehicle (NEV) strategy of enhancing its EV and hybrid powertrain offering in light of current and anticipated demand into the future”.

“The Ora is just one of five NEV models (including Jolion Hybrid, H6 Hybrid, Tank 300 Hybrid and Tank 500 Hybrid) currently available from GWM’s network of 95 dealers across Australia,” the company said.

“The brand is also studying the possibility of adding plug-in hybrid (PHEV) models in the near future to further expand the range of NEVs available to Australian customers.”

The latter could come in the form of the next-generation Haval H6 mid-size SUV due here in a couple of years, but before then GWM Haval Australia will release the Cannon Alpha dual-cab luxury ute and, perhaps, the new-generation GWM Haval H9 large luxury SUV.

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