What are the 10 cheapest electric cars in Australia?

Are we there yet?

Electric vehicles have finally started to creep into the 'affordable' space that many buyers have been pleading for in Australia.

We may not see a new electric car that costs under $30,000 in the foreseeable future, but just a few years into the onslaught of EVs in the Australian market, there are now a handful of options below $50,000 before on-road costs and more cheaper options in the used EV market.

Here’s the cheapest new EVs available (or well on their way) in Australia.

JUMP AHEAD

• 💵 Top 10 most affordable EVs in Australia

• 🇨🇳 Why are Chinese-made EVs often cheaper?
• 📏 Size v price
• 🔍 Are electric cars expensive?
• 🤔 Time to make the electric switch?

💵 Top 10 most affordable EVs in Australia

1. BYD Dolphin – from $38,890
2. MG 4 – from $38,990
3. GWM Ora – from $39,990
4. MG ZS EV – from $44,990
5. BYD Atto 3 – from $48,011
6. BYD Seal* – from $49,888
7. Mini Electric – from $49,990 drive-away (runout offer for deliveries until December 31, 2023)
8. Nissan Leaf – from $50,990
9. Fiat 500e – from $52,500
10. Abarth 500e – from $58,900

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🇨🇳 Why are Chinese-made EVs often cheaper?

Most sub-$60K EV models are made in China to benefit from cheaper labour costs and a local parts supply chain.

Importantly, this enables local access to the world’s biggest battery pack suppliers – Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited (CATL) and Build Your Dreams (BYD) – which is the key driver of higher prices compared to petrol- and diesel-powered cars.

Some traditional carmakers have been acquired by Chinese companies, while many brands have established factories and joint venture partnerships in the country to reap from the local supply chain and compete in one of the world’s largest auto markets.

For example, the upcoming Kia EV5 electric medium SUV will be made in China – instead of South Korea – for the Australian market in order to feature a lower-cost lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery, which China is the key producer of.

However, China's competitive advantage has been put into question due to heavy incentives from the government to push automakers to produce EVs in the country.

The Volkswagen Group will soon establish vertically-integrated EV production in Spain for its most affordable electric models to compete.

The Chinese vehicle manufacturing industry has also rapidly grown in the past few years, with buyers globally now more willing to accept Chinese-made cars thanks to budget-friendly price tags (while others go upmarket), strong value propositions, and improved perceived quality.

Tesla and BYD in particular have quickly dominated Australian EV sales.

The BYD Dolphin, MG 4, MG ZS EV, and GWM Ora boast sharp sub-$50K drive-away price tags to lower the barrier of entry and offer strong value for driving range propositions.

Meanwhile, the top-selling Tesla Model 3 sedan and Model Y SUV aren't as cheap in context with prices starting north of $60K. Yet, they're still favoured thanks to good value, efficient and powerful motors, high-tech features, and the American brand cachet.

However, not all Chinese-made electric models are significantly cheaper than the competition – notably the Polestar 2, Volvo XC40 Recharge, and LDV eDeliver 9.

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📏 Size v price

Australian buyers now have more affordable EVs to choose from. But, the top 10 cheapest EVs are mostly classified as ‘small’.

As many European families do, Australians could use most of the 10 cheapest EV models for carting the kids and groceries around every day, such as the decently practical BYD Atto 3 SUV, Seal sedan and MG 4 hatch.

But, they may have limited interior space depending on your needs.

Of course, while these EVs are ‘cheap’ in the context of the electric market, they're still generally pricier than equivalent internal combustion engine (ICE) offerings, but some have already achieved price parity due to the entry price of petrol cars significantly increasing in recent years.

If it's a proper medium or large SUV you need, be prepared to spend more than $60,000 at the low end.

Yet, as our total cost of ownership story demonstrates, the right circumstances can see most EVs deliver greater value over time than their petrol counterparts, as you own the vehicle for longer and drive further.

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🔍 Are electric cars expensive?

This story has outlined that EVs aren't too unaffordable, but how do they compare with ICE cars? Check out our guide linked below for more.

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🤔 Is it time to make the electric switch?

EVs are not for everyone (for now), but they are right for most.

Driving range, charging availability, and battery safety remain key perceived issues. For more, check out our /Electric hub guides below.

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