Electric cars are becoming increasingly affordable in Australia, with new Chinese brands pushing prices to levels that would have seemed unlikely just a few years ago. In fact, Australia’s cheapest new electric car now costs less than $20,000 driveaway, putting it within reach of buyers who might otherwise have considered a conventional petrol hatchback. However, while the upfront cost of an EV is becoming less of a barrier, driving range remains an important consideration.

After all, there’s little point saving thousands of dollars on a new electric car if it cannot comfortably cover your everyday driving needs. We’ve rounded up 10 of Australia’s most affordable electric cars to see how far they can travel on a single charge…

1. BYD Atto 1 Essential

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Price: $19,990 driveaway
Driving range: 220km

Australia’s most affordable new electric car is the equal-cheapest new vehicle on sale regardless of what powers it, priced from just $19,990 driveaway. The tiny BYD Atto 1 is designed primarily for urban driving, making it appealing for commuters, first-car buyers or households looking for a cheap second vehicle.

Its entry-level Essential variant offers 220km of claimed driving range, which might sound modest compared with more expensive EVs, but should be sufficient for drivers who travel relatively short distances and have access to home charging. Those needing more range can spend a sizeable chunk of cash to upgrade to the $27,990 plus on-road costs Premium, which increases the driving range to a more practical 310km.

2. Geely EX2 Complete

Mint-green compact SUV parked on a paved plaza in front of a modern glass-and-concrete building.
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Price: $26,490 plus on-road costs
Driving range: 252km

The Geely EX2 is a relatively recent arrival in Australia’s increasingly competitive affordable EV market, offering a small, practical hatchback package with rear-wheel drive. Starting at $26,490 plus on-road costs, the entry-level Complete offers a claimed driving range of 252km, which is more than suitable for daily commuting duties.

For buyers who regularly travel longer distances, the $30,990 +ORC Inspire offers a more substantial 345km of range, representing a substantial 93km improvement for an additional $4500 before on-road costs. Regardless of the model chosen, the EX2 is good to drive and it’s surprisingly well equipped.

3. Leapmotor B03X Style

Gray SUV parked on a pedestrian street lined with shops and hanging green decorations
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Price: $26,990 plus on-road costs
Driving range: 292km

Stellantis-backed Leapmotor is expanding its Australian lineup with the B03X, which is Australia’s cheapest small electric SUV, priced from just $26,990 plus on-road costs or $29,990 driveaway. The entry-level Style offers 292km of claimed driving range, putting it ahead of both the BYD Atto 1 Essential and Geely EX2 Complete.

The more expensive Design Long Range, which is priced from $30,990 before on-road costs, increases the claimed range to more sizeable 382km. That additional 90km could make the B03X a more versatile choice for drivers who regularly travel between cities or cannot charge at home every night.

4. BYD Dolphin Essential

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Price: $29,990 plus on-road costs
Driving range: 340km

The BYD Dolphin was among the first electric hatchbacks to bring genuinely affordable EV ownership to Australia, and it remains a competitive option despite the arrival of cheaper alternatives. Unlike the smaller Atto 1, the Dolphin offers a more substantial hatchback body, making it better suited to buyers who need additional passenger and luggage space.

The entry-level Essential delivers 340km of claimed driving range, providing considerably more flexibility than BYD’s cheapest model. Meanwhile, the $35,990 Premium increases driving range to 427km, making it more appealing for those who travel out of the city more regularly.

5. BYD Atto 2 Essential

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Price: $31,990 plus on-road costs
Driving range: 345km

For buyers who want the practicality and elevated driving position of an SUV without stretching to a larger or more expensive electric vehicle, the BYD Atto 2 presents an interesting middle ground. Positioned above the tiny Atto 1, the Atto 2 offers a more conventional small SUV package, with additional interior space and a body style that should appeal to Australian buyers.

The entry-level Essential is priced from $31,990 before on-road costs and offers 345km of claimed driving range. A more expensive Premium variant is also available for $35,990 before on-road costs, giving buyers the option of additional equipment, though it doesn’t add a larger battery for more range.

6. GAC Aion UT Premium

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Price: $31,990 plus on-road costs
Driving range: 430km

The GAC Aion UT makes a strong case for affordable long-range electric motoring, offering an impressive 430km of claimed driving range for just $31,990 plus on-road costs. That puts it comfortably ahead of several similarly priced electric hatchbacks and SUVs, including the BYD Dolphin Essential and Atto 2 Essential.

The Aion UT also features a relatively spacious hatchback body, making it an interesting proposition for buyers seeking a practical everyday vehicle rather than a tiny city runabout. A more expensive Luxury variant is also available from $35,990 before on-road costs with more standard equipment, although we think the entry-level Premium already offers a solid combination of price and driving range.

7. GWM Ora 5 Lux

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Price: $31,990 driveaway
Driving range: 435km

The GWM Ora 5 will give you more than 400km of claimed driving range without requiring you to spend upwards of $40,000. Priced from just $31,990 driveaway in Lux hatchback form, the Ora 5 can go for 435km between charges, making it the longest-range entry-level vehicle among the 10 models featured here.

It also builds on GWM’s growing presence in the Australian market, offering distinctive styling and a practical five-door hatchback layout, plus there’s an SUV variant available from $34,990 driveaway for those wanting a bit more ride height.

8. MG4 EV Urban Essence 43

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Price: $31,990 driveaway
Driving range: 316km

MG has been one of the key players in making electric cars more accessible to Australian buyers, and the MG4 EV Urban is a great example. Despite sharing its name with the existing MG4, the Urban is a separate, more affordable and more practical hatchback offering, designed to compete directly with the likes of the BYD Dolphin and GAC Aion UT.

The entry-level Essence 43 is priced from $31,990 driveaway – though at the time of writing it’s available from $29,990 driveaway as part of a special deal – and has up to 316km of claimed driving range, making it a sensible option for drivers whose journeys are predominantly within metropolitan areas. For buyers who need to cover greater distances, the larger-battery Essence 54 increases the figure to approximately 405km.

9. Leapmotor B05 Style

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Price: $35,888 plus on-road costs
Driving range: 401km

The Leapmotor B05 is a new entry to Australia and it brings a larger and more substantial electric hatchback into the affordable end of the market, with a starting price of $35,888 before on-road costs. Its entry-level Style variant offers 401km of claimed range, making it one of the more practical vehicles here for buyers who regularly travel beyond their local area.

If that doesn’t meet your needs, the $39,888 Design Long Range increases the figure to a claimed 482km, which is the highest of any variant listed in this comparison and the best range available for less than $40,000, giving the B05 even more appeal.

10. Honda Super-One

Front three-quarter view of a purple Honda car driving along a city street, with trees and a modern building in the background, headlights on as it speeds by.
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Price: $36,900 driveaway
Driving range: 202km

Rounding out the top 10 is the car with the least claimed range at just 202km, and at $36,900 driveaway, it’s also one of the most expensive options. But the Honda Super-One takes a different approach to affordable electric motoring and prioritises character and driving enjoyment over outright distance.

While its range is short, its appeal lies in its distinctive styling, compact dimensions and playful personality, rather than its ability to cover hundreds of kilometres between charges. It’s not for everybody, but for urban buyers who value driving enjoyment and rarely venture far from home, it .