The cheapest electric car in Australia is the BYD Atto 1, priced from $27,097 drive-away. Two years ago the cheapest EV in the country cost more than $40,000. Today there are 15 electric cars available under $44,000 drive-away, and two of them sit under $30,000.
The reason is a wave of Chinese brands arriving through 2025 and 2026. BYD, Geely, GAC, Leapmotor, Chery and Jaecoo have all launched affordable models in Australia, and the established players have been forced to answer. The result is the first genuinely competitive budget EV market this country has had.
That competition is showing up in the sales figures. Battery electric vehicles reached 26 percent of all new vehicle sales in Australia in July 2026, against 7.6 percent a year earlier. More than one in four new cars sold here is now electric.
This guide ranks the 15 cheapest electric cars in Australia by real drive-away price, and adds something the other guides leave out: what each one actually costs to charge for a year.
Cheapest electric cars in Australia 2026 at a glance
Drive-away prices are NSW as of August 2026 and include current manufacturer promotions. Charging cost assumes 15,000 km a year at 33.5c per kWh, the Australian average standard tariff. Rows 14 and 15 are estimated drive-away, calculated from list price plus typical on-road costs.
Why we rank by drive-away price
Most cheap EV lists mix two different numbers and the ranking comes out wrong.
Some brands quote list price, which excludes stamp duty, registration, CTP and dealer delivery. Others, including GWM, GAC, MG and Leapmotor, quote drive-away pricing only. Comparing a BYD list price against an MG drive-away price makes the MG look several thousand dollars more expensive than it is.
On-road costs typically add $2,500 to $4,000 to a car in this bracket, though EVs get a meaningful break in some states. More on that below.
Every figure in the table above is the number that actually leaves your bank account.
1. BYD Atto 1, from $27,097 drive-away
The Atto 1 is Australia's cheapest electric car and it undercuts BYD's own Dolphin by more than $6,000.
The entry Essential runs a 30kWh LFP battery for a claimed 220 km of WLTP range, with 65kW and 175Nm driving the front wheels. That is a city car range, honestly stated. School runs, commuting, errands. Not road trips.
Step up to the Premium at $31,217 drive-away and you get a 43kWh pack, 310 km of range and a much healthier 115kW. For many households that is the difference between a second car and a only car.
At 3,990mm long with a 308 litre boot it is genuinely small, but you still get vehicle to load for powering camping gear, wireless smartphone mirroring and a five star ANCAP rating. BYD backs it with a six year 150,000 km vehicle warranty and an eight year 160,000 km battery warranty.
Best for: the cheapest possible entry into EV ownership for city driving.
2. Geely EX2, from $29,416 drive-away
The newest arrival on this list and one of the most surprising. The EX2 was the best selling passenger car in China in 2025.
Two variants are offered. The Complete pairs a 60kW motor with a 35.3kWh battery for 252 km of WLTP range. The Inspire steps up to 85kW, a 47.1kWh battery and 345 km.
What makes it stand out at this price is the specification and the layout. Even the base car gets a 14.6 inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, keyless entry and power adjustable front seats. It is also rear wheel drive with multi link rear suspension, which is almost unheard of under $30,000, and there is a 70 litre frunk under the bonnet. Boot space is 375 litres. Warranty is seven years unlimited kilometres.
Best for: buyers who want the best equipped car under $30,000.
3. MG4 EV Urban, from $31,990 drive-away
The MG4 Urban is the most sensible pick in the sub $35,000 bracket and probably the one most buyers should shortlist.
It is bigger than the price suggests at 4,395mm long on a 2,750mm wheelbase, with a boot between 382 and 1,266 litres. The 43kWh entry model claims 316 km, and the 54kWh version at $34,990 stretches that to 405 km.
Critically, it charges faster than almost everything cheaper. DC fast charging peaks at 150kW for a 10 to 80 percent top up in about 30 minutes, where the Atto 1 manages 65kW. MG's warranty runs to 10 years when serviced through the dealer network, the longest coverage of any brand in Australia.
Best for: the best all round balance of range, space and price.
4. GAC Aion UT, from $31,990 drive-away
On paper the Aion UT is the value champion of this entire list.
A 60kWh LFP battery delivers a claimed 430 km of WLTP range from a 150kW motor, with energy use rated at 16.4kWh per 100 km. Nothing else near this price offers that combination of range and power.
Run the numbers and it becomes clearer. At $31,990 drive-away for 430 km, the Aion UT delivers 13.4 km of range per $1,000 spent, the best ratio of any EV in Australia right now. The BYD Atto 1 manages 8.1 km per $1,000.
You also get a 321 litre boot expanding to 689 litres, 905mm of rear legroom, 3.3kW vehicle to load and 30 to 80 percent DC charging in under 24 minutes.
Best for: maximum range per dollar.
5. BYD Dolphin, from $33,277 drive-away
The Dolphin held the cheapest EV title until the Atto 1 arrived, and it remains one of the safest choices in the segment.
The Essential uses a 44.9kWh Blade battery for 340 km of WLTP range with 70kW and 180Nm. It is tuned for calm commuting rather than quick overtakes, with a 12.3 second sprint to 100 km/h. The Premium at $40,487 drive-away brings a 60.5kWh pack, 427 km of range and 150kW, which drops that sprint to seven seconds.
At 4,290mm long with a 345 litre boot expanding to 1,310 litres, it is a genuinely practical hatchback. The main caveat is AC charging at 7kW, slower than the 11kW several rivals offer, so home top ups take longer.
Best for: buyers who want proven technology and a well finished cabin.
6. GWM Ora 5, from $33,990 drive-away
The Ora 5 takes GWM's retro hatch and reshapes it into a compact SUV, which is what most affordable EV buyers are actually shopping for.
A 58.33kWh battery and 150kW front motor give a claimed 435 km, the longest range under $34,000. DC charging peaks at 120kW for 10 to 80 percent in around 30 minutes. The higher seating position and 362 litre boot make it easier to live with than a low hatch.
Equipment is strong even on the Lux: a 14.6 inch touchscreen, 360 degree camera, adaptive cruise, blind spot monitoring and wireless smartphone mirroring. Vehicle to load runs up to 6kW, enough for power tools or camping gear.
Best for: SUV practicality at hatchback money.
7. GWM Ora, from $34,990 drive-away
The original Ora hatch continues alongside the Ora 5 in Lux and GT trims. Both now use a 57.7kWh LFP battery, rated at 400 km for the Lux and 380 km for the sportier GT.
Power is 126kW and 250Nm through the front wheels. Boot space is the weak point at 228 litres seats up, though that expands to 858 litres folded. The retro styling gives it more personality than most budget EVs.
Best for: buyers who want distinctive styling over outright practicality.
8. BYD Atto 2, from $35,337 drive-away
The Atto 2 is the next rung up from the Atto 1, longer and taller at 4,310mm with a 380 litre boot that suits prams and bigger grocery runs.
Both variants share a 51kWh LFP battery, front wheel drive and 130kW with 290Nm, good for 7.9 seconds to 100 km/h. WLTP range is 345 km across the range. The caveat is charging: DC tops out at 82kW and AC at just 7kW, slower than the cheaper Atto 1 on paper.
Best for: Atto 1 buyers who need more space and a bigger range buffer.
9. Leapmotor B05, from $35,990 drive-away
The B05 is Australia's cheapest rear wheel drive EV and the driving experience is the point.
Leapmotor tuned the chassis in Italy with Stellantis and gave it a 50:50 weight balance, so the rear drive layout is a genuine feature rather than a spec sheet line. The entry Style delivers 401 km from a 56.2kWh battery. The Design LR at $39,990 brings a 67.1kWh pack, 482 km and 174kW charging.
A 14.6 inch touchscreen, wireless smartphone mirroring and a 360 degree camera are standard across the range. Servicing runs through the Stellantis network.
Best for: anyone who cares how a cheap EV actually drives.
10. Hyundai Inster, from $35,990 drive-away
The Inster is one of the few affordable EVs here from an established non Chinese brand, and it is the most efficient car on this list at roughly 12.8kWh per 100 km.
The Standard Range uses a 42kWh battery for 327 km WLTP, and the Extended Range stretches that to 360 km. DC charging is a strong 120kW. Standard equipment includes dual 10.25 inch screens, satellite navigation, a heat pump, battery conditioning and both internal and external vehicle to load.
Two trade offs. It is a four seater rather than five, and at $35,990 drive-away it is no longer the budget pick it once was, with rivals at this price offering considerably more space.
Best for: buyers who want a mainstream brand, dealer network and the lowest charging bill.
11 to 15: the rest of the field
Jaecoo J5 EV, $36,990 drive-away. A proper compact SUV with a 58.9kWh battery, 402 km of range and 155kW. DC charging up to 130kW is among the best here. Heated and ventilated front seats, a 13.2 inch touchscreen and a 360 degree camera are standard.
MG4 Excite 51, $37,990 drive-away. The standard MG4 alongside the cheaper Urban, with a 51kWh battery, 125kW and a 7.7 second sprint. Boot space is 363 litres. Towing is rated at 500kg.
Leapmotor B10, $38,990 drive-away. The roomiest car on this list at 4,515mm long, with 22 storage compartments and a 14.6 inch screen. Range is quoted at 442 km NEDC, so expect roughly 30 percent less in the real world.
Chery E5, about $42,000 drive-away. A 58.9kWh battery, 430 km WLTP and a five star ANCAP rating from 2022. Warranty is seven years unlimited kilometres on the car and eight years unlimited on the battery.
BYD Atto 3, about $43,500 drive-away. The most established EV here, a medium SUV with a 440 litre boot, 345 km of range and 750kg towing capacity. The Premium adds a 60.4kWh battery for 420 km.
What a cheap EV actually costs to run
This is where electric cars separate from everything else, and it is the number most cheap EV guides skip entirely.
Comparison | Annual energy cost at 15,000 km |
|---|---|
Hyundai Inster (most efficient EV here) | $643 standard tariff, $346 off-peak |
BYD Atto 1 (cheapest EV here) | $683 standard tariff, $367 off-peak |
Typical small petrol hatch at 6.5L/100km | $2,009 |
Typical petrol SUV at 8L/100km | $2,472 |
Electricity at 33.5c per kWh standard or 18c off-peak. Petrol at $2.06 per litre, the Australian national average in August 2026.
A cheap EV saves roughly $1,800 a year against a petrol SUV on a standard tariff, and about $2,100 if you charge off-peak. With rooftop solar the gap widens again.
Servicing adds to the advantage. EVs have no oil, spark plugs, fuel filters or exhaust, so most cost $150 to $300 a year against $250 to $450 for an equivalent petrol car. Regenerative braking also makes brake pads last considerably longer. Our car service cost guide has the full brand by brand breakdown.
Two costs run the other way. EVs are more expensive to insure because they cost more to repair, and heavier kerb weights on wider tyres mean higher tyre bills. Check what your shortlist costs in our car insurance costs by state guide.
For the complete picture across petrol, hybrid and electric, see our guide to the cheapest cars to run in Australia.
EV incentives in Australia in 2026
Most of the cash rebates have closed, but there are still meaningful savings depending on where you live and how you buy.
State | What you get in 2026 |
|---|---|
NSW | Stamp duty exemption on battery EVs under $78,000, plus reduced motor vehicle tax at registration |
Victoria | Stamp duty concession on battery EVs under $68,740, effectively zero on most models here |
Queensland | $750 registration discount, no stamp duty exemption |
SA, WA, TAS, NT, ACT | Standard stamp duty rates apply, with some registration concessions |
Federally, the fringe benefits tax exemption on battery electric vehicles remains in place for cars priced below the luxury car tax threshold of $91,387. Every EV on this list qualifies comfortably. If you can access a novated lease through your employer, this is by far the largest saving available and it can change the maths entirely.
Note that plug in hybrids lost the FBT exemption from 1 April 2025, so it applies to battery electric vehicles only.
Which cheap electric car should you buy?
Cheapest overall: BYD Atto 1 at $27,097 drive-away. Nothing else comes close, provided 220 km of range suits your driving.
Best all rounder: MG4 EV Urban at $31,990. More range, more space and faster charging than anything cheaper, with a 10 year warranty.
Most range per dollar: GAC Aion UT at $31,990 for 430 km. No other EV in Australia delivers this ratio.
Best SUV: GWM Ora 5 at $33,990 with 435 km of range and a proper high seating position.
Cheapest to run: Hyundai Inster at roughly $643 a year to charge, with an established dealer network behind it.
Best to drive: Leapmotor B05 at $35,990, the only rear wheel drive EV at this price with European chassis tuning.
Before you commit, work out your daily kilometres and confirm you can charge at home. Public DC fast charging runs 60c to 80c per kWh, which roughly triples the running cost and erases most of the advantage over petrol. A cheap EV without a driveway is a much weaker proposition.
Browse electric cars on AussieMotor or compare two models side by side to narrow your shortlist. If you are still weighing electric against petrol, our cheapest new cars in Australia guide covers the combustion side, and the average new car price guide shows where both sit against the wider market.