What is the cheapest electric car you can buy in Australia right now?

The BYD Atto 1 Essential is Australia's cheapest EV at $19,990 drive-away under a national offer for orders placed by 15 December 2026. It has a 220 km WLTP range and a 30 kWh LFP battery. The Geely EX2 Complete and BYD Dolphin Essential are the next cheapest, both under $30,000 on the road.

Do cheap EVs qualify for the FBT exemption on novated leases?

Yes. Battery electric vehicles priced below $91,661, the 2026-27 fuel-efficient vehicle LCT threshold, are FBT-exempt on novated leases, and every car on this list qualifies. The full exemption runs until 31 March 2027 before it narrows for cars over $75,000. Leases signed beforehand keep it for their term.

How much do on-road costs add to the drive-away price of a budget EV?

On-road costs typically add $2,000 to $4,000 depending on your state. They cover registration, stamp duty, CTP insurance and dealer delivery. The Geely EX2 Complete lists at $26,490 before on-roads but lands between about $28,300 and $29,800 drive-away, depending on where you register it.

Is a short-range EV like the BYD Atto 1 practical for Australian conditions?

For urban and suburban drivers, yes. Most Australians drive fewer than 50 km a day, so a 220 km range means charging two or three times a week at home. Regional driving is harder. If you regularly travel between cities, a longer-range model like the BYD Dolphin or GWM Ora 5 makes more sense.

Are Chinese-brand EVs reliable enough to buy in Australia?

The evidence so far is encouraging. BYD, MG, Geely and GWM all carry multi-year warranties, have growing dealer networks in Australia, and use lithium iron phosphate batteries known for long cycle life. No brand has a long Australian track record yet, but early owner reports have been broadly positive across these brands.

Cheapest Electric Car Australia 2026

The cheapest electric car in Australia right now is the BYD Atto 1 Essential, at $19,990 drive-away. That’s a national offer for orders placed by 15 December 2026, and it’s $4,000 below the car’s launch price. Two years ago, a sub-$20,000 EV would have sounded absurd. Today, you can walk into a BYD dealer and buy one.

The budget end has also filled out fast. Since March 2026, the Geely EX2, MG4 Urban, BYD Atto 2 and GWM Ora 5 have all landed below $36,000, and BYD has cut the Dolphin Essential to $28,888 drive-away. Electric vehicles took 16.4% of new-car sales in the first half of 2026, up from 7.6% a year earlier (CarExpert, using FCAI and EVC data). In August 2026, battery EVs alone reached 24.9% of sales (Electric Vehicle Council, September 2026).

The cheapest car isn’t always the right one, though. Range, charging speed, warranty and how you actually drive matter as much as the sticker. This guide ranks the most affordable EVs on sale in Australia as of September 2026, gives an honest verdict on each, and explains what to check before you buy.

All prices below are drive-away (d/a) or noted as before on-road costs (ORC). On-road costs typically add $2,000–$4,000 depending on your state. See our electric vehicles comparison page to filter by state and current pricing, or check our best EVs under $60,000 guide if you have a bit more budget to work with.

Cheapest Electric Cars in Australia: Quick Comparison

The table is sorted by the lowest price available as of late September 2026. Several dealer offers ended on 30 September, so check whether they’ve been extended before you compare.

Model (entry variant)	Price	WLTP range	Battery	DC fast charging	Warranty (vehicle / battery)
BYD Atto 1 Essential	$19,990 d/a (offer to 15 Dec)	220 km	30 kWh LFP	65 kW	6yr/150,000 km / 8yr/160,000 km
Geely EX2 Complete	$26,490 before ORC	252 km	35.3 kWh LFP	60 kW	7yr/unlimited / 8yr/unlimited
BYD Dolphin Essential	$28,888 d/a (offer to 15 Dec)	340 km	44.9 kWh LFP	60 kW	6yr/150,000 km / 8yr/160,000 km
MG4 Urban Essence 43	$31,990 d/a	316 km	43 kWh LFP	Not confirmed	10 years (serviced at MG)
GAC Aion UT Premium	$31,990 d/a (Q3 offer)	430 km	60 kWh LFP	87 kW	8yr/unlimited / 8yr/200,000 km
BYD Atto 2 Dynamic	$31,990 before ORC	345 km	51.13 kWh LFP	82 kW	6yr/150,000 km / 8yr/160,000 km
GWM Ora 5 Lux	$33,990 d/a	435 km (WLTC)	58.33 kWh LFP	120 kW	7yr/unlimited / 8yr/unlimited
Hyundai Inster Standard	$35,990 d/a (offer to 30 Sep)	327 km	42 kWh	120 kW (rated)	See Hyundai
Leapmotor B05 Style	$35,990 d/a (offer to 31 Dec, Lightning Yellow)	401 km	56.2 kWh LFP	Not confirmed	See Leapmotor
Jaecoo J5 EV	$35,990 before ORC	402 km	58.9 kWh LFP	130 kW	8yr/unlimited
Chery E5 Ultimate	$37,990 d/a	430 km	58.9 kWh LFP	Not confirmed	7yr/unlimited / 8yr/unlimited

Sources: BYD Australia offers page and GAC Australia (read September 2026); The Driven, September 2026; CarExpert, November 2025 to September 2026; RACV, August 2026; zecar, 2026. Prices as of September 2026.

A mixed table can mislead. A before-ORC price of $31,990 becomes about $35,500 on the road in Victoria (RACV, August 2026), so the Atto 2 is dearer than the Aion UT or MG4 Urban once you’re comparing like with like. The Ora 5’s range is on the Chinese WLTC cycle, which reads higher than WLTP.

Top Picks: The Cheapest Electric Cars in Australia

BYD Atto 1 - Australia’s Most Affordable EV

The BYD Atto 1 is the headline act. At $19,990 drive-away for the Essential, it costs less than most petrol hatchbacks. BYD is a Chinese manufacturer that also makes batteries for energy storage systems, so it knows its chemistry well. The Atto 1 uses LFP (lithium iron phosphate), a battery chemistry that is more thermally stable and longer-lasting than the NMC chemistry used in many rivals.

It’s selling. BYD delivered 3,254 Atto 1s in the first half of 2026, making it the best-selling EV hatchback in the country (CarExpert, 2026).

The Essential’s 220 km WLTP range sounds modest. For most daily driving, it isn’t. The average Australian passenger vehicle covers about 30 km a day (ABS, 2020). You could charge Sunday night and not plug in again until Wednesday. The bigger consideration is longer trips. Take it from Sydney to the Blue Mountains and back and you’ll be watching the battery gauge on the return leg. DC charging tops out at 65 kW, so road-trip stops are long.

The Premium lists at $27,990 before on-roads and has a 43.2 kWh battery with 310 km of WLTP range and 85 kW DC charging. With the Essential on offer, the gap between the two is now wide. Only pay it if you regularly drive beyond the suburbs.

One thing to know: BYD told the NRMA that no coolant runs to the Atto 1’s battery, and that its thermal management is active and software-controlled, using the car’s heat pump system (NRMA, November 2025). Our EV battery care guide explains what that means in Australian heat.

Key specs (Essential / Premium):

Price: $19,990 d/a (offer) / $27,990 before ORC
Range: 220 km / 310 km WLTP
Battery: 30 kWh LFP / 43.2 kWh LFP
DC charging: 65 kW / 85 kW
Warranty: 6 years/150,000 km vehicle; 8 years/160,000 km battery

Verdict: The best choice for city and suburban drivers who want the lowest possible entry price and charge at home every night.

Geely EX2 - More Range Per Dollar, Longer Warranty

The Geely EX2 Complete lists at $26,490 before on-roads, which works out to roughly $28,300 in the NT and $29,800 in Victoria on the road (RACV and CarExpert, 2026). That puts it close to the Dolphin Essential on price. The Complete has a 35.3 kWh battery and 252 km of WLTP range.

The EX2 Inspire at $30,990 before on-roads is the more convincing car. Its 47.1 kWh battery gives 345 km of range and 80 kW DC charging. Geely also offers the longest warranty in this price band: seven years with unlimited kilometres on the car and eight years unlimited on the battery.

For how it compares with the MG4 Urban and Aion UT, see our Geely EX2 vs Aion UT vs MG4 Urban comparison.

Key specs (Complete / Inspire):

Price: $26,490 / $30,990 before ORC
Range: 252 km / 345 km WLTP
Battery: 35.3 kWh / 47.1 kWh LFP
DC charging: 60 kW / 80 kW
Warranty: 7 years/unlimited km vehicle; 8 years/unlimited km battery

Verdict: The Inspire is the value pick for buyers who want a bit more range and the strongest warranty under $35,000.

BYD Dolphin Essential - The Price Cut That Changes the Maths

BYD has cut the Dolphin Essential to $28,888 drive-away for orders placed between 15 September and 15 December 2026 and delivered by 31 December (The Driven, September 2026). It previously listed at $29,990 before on-roads, or around $33,300 on the road, so the saving is roughly $2,900 to $4,400 depending on your state.

At that price, the Dolphin is the cheapest way into a proper small hatch with 340 km of WLTP range. It has a 44.9 kWh Blade battery, five seats and a practical boot. The weakness is DC charging, which peaks at just 60 kW. That’s fine for occasional trips but slow if you road-trip often.

Parents looking for a first family runabout have been drawn to this offer, and it’s easy to see why. You get a car with more range than the Atto 1 for under $30,000, from a brand with a big dealer network. The Dolphin Premium, at $36,990 before on-roads, has a 60.48 kWh battery and 427 km of range. Our BYD Dolphin review covers both.

Key specs (Essential):

Price: $28,888 d/a (offer to 15 Dec 2026)
Range: 340 km WLTP
Battery: 44.9 kWh LFP
DC charging: 60 kW
Warranty: 6 years/150,000 km vehicle; 8 years/160,000 km battery

Verdict: The best all-rounder under $30,000 while the offer runs.

MG4 Urban - The Budget MG Now the ZS EV Is Gone

The MG ZS EV, which used to fill this slot, is no longer on sale. MG ended it in mid-2025 and replaced it with the MG S5 EV, a larger and dearer car. For budget buyers, the MG4 Urban is the better successor.

The MG4 Urban Essence 43 is $31,990 drive-away, and the Essence 54 is $34,990 drive-away. A $2,000 cashback brought them to $29,990 and $32,990 for cars sold and delivered between 11 and 30 September 2026 (CarExpert, September 2026). The Essence 54 gives you 405 km of WLTP range, one of the best figures here for the money. Buyers have taken to it quickly, with 2,195 sold by the end of August after a June launch.

MG’s warranty is 10 years on both the car and battery, provided you service at an MG dealer.

Key specs (Essence 43 / Essence 54):

Price: $31,990 / $34,990 d/a
Range: 316 km / 405 km WLTP
Battery: 43 kWh / 54 kWh LFP
Warranty: 10 years (serviced at MG)

Verdict: The Essence 54 gives you the most range per dollar under $35,000 drive-away.

BYD Atto 2 - A Small SUV at Hatchback Money

The BYD Atto 2 Dynamic lists at $31,990 before on-roads, about $35,500 drive-away in Victoria (RACV, August 2026). It’s a compact SUV with a 51.13 kWh battery, 345 km of WLTP range and 82 kW DC charging. The Premium is $35,990 before on-roads with the same battery.

The Atto 2 is selling well. It was Australia’s third-best-selling EV in August 2026 with 1,122 sales, behind only the Tesla Model Y and BYD Sealion 7 (CarExpert, September 2026). Buyers like the tall driving position and roomy cabin.

Like the Atto 1, the Atto 2 doesn’t run liquid coolant to its battery. BYD describes its thermal management as active and heat-pump assisted. No Australian outlet has published a hot-weather charging test yet. Don’t confuse it with the Atto 2 DM-i, a plug-in hybrid that starts cheaper but isn’t an EV. Our BYD Atto 2 review has the full picture.

Key specs (Dynamic / Premium):

Price: $31,990 / $35,990 before ORC
Range: 345 km WLTP
Battery: 51.13 kWh LFP
DC charging: 82 kW
Warranty: 6 years/150,000 km vehicle; 8 years/160,000 km battery

Verdict: A good pick if you want SUV height on a budget, but compare drive-away prices carefully against the Ora 5.

GWM Ora 5 - The Cheapest Electric SUV on the Road

The GWM Ora 5 Lux is $33,990 drive-away, and the Ultra is $36,990 drive-away (CarExpert, 2026). That makes the Lux the cheapest electric SUV once on-road costs are included. It has a 58.33 kWh battery and 120 kW DC charging, noticeably quicker than the BYDs at this price.

GWM quotes 435 km of range, but that’s on the Chinese WLTC test, which reads higher than WLTP. Expect less in practice. Warranty is strong for private buyers: seven years unlimited on the car and eight years unlimited on the battery (GWM Australia).

Key specs (Lux / Ultra):

Price: $33,990 / $36,990 d/a
Range: 435 km (WLTC)
Battery: 58.33 kWh LFP
DC charging: 120 kW
Warranty: 7 years/unlimited km vehicle; 8 years/unlimited km battery

Verdict: The best-value small electric SUV if you want faster charging and a long warranty. Read our GWM Ora 5 review before you buy.

Chery E5 - Solid Range at a Sharp Price

The Chery E5 was sold in Australia under the Omoda name before being renamed and repriced in 2025. The cheaper Urban grade has since been dropped, and the E5 is now sold only as the Ultimate at $37,990 drive-away (The Driven, September 2026). It has a 58.9 kWh battery and 430 km of WLTP range.

That price puts it up against the Leapmotor B10 and MG4 Essence 64. The E5’s range is competitive, but the rebrand history and a thinner service network create some uncertainty around parts and resale.

Key specs:

Price: $37,990 d/a
Range: 430 km WLTP
Battery: 58.9 kWh LFP

Verdict: Strong range for the price. The rebrand history and thinner service network are the main reasons to pause. Do your dealer homework before buying.

BYD Atto 3 - The Sweet Spot of the Range

The Atto 3 has been updated. The new Atto 3 Evo Dynamic starts at $41,990 before on-roads with a 60.48 kWh battery and 420 km of WLTP range. The Evo Premium is $46,990 before on-roads with a 74.88 kWh battery and 510 km (The Driven, September 2026). Some dealers still have run-out stock of the previous Atto 3 Essential from $39,990 before on-roads, which is worth hunting down if you want the cheapest mid-size BYD.

The Atto 3 is a known quantity in Australia. BYD has built its dealer and service network steadily, parts availability is better than many newer entrants, and there are enough Atto 3s on the road now to have a realistic picture of real-world ownership. The older model’s 88 kW DC charging and 7 kW AC limit are its main weaknesses. Our BYD Atto 3 Evo review covers what changed.

Key specs (Evo Dynamic / Evo Premium):

Price: $41,990 / $46,990 before ORC
Range: 420 km / 510 km WLTP
Battery: 60.48 kWh / 74.88 kWh LFP
Warranty: 6 years/150,000 km vehicle; 8 years/160,000 km battery

Verdict: The best-rounded affordable family EV once you step above $40,000. Range, practicality and dealer support are all in a good place.

GAC AION V - The Wildcard With Serious Specs

The GAC AION V started from $42,590 before on-road costs as of March 2026. Check current pricing with GAC, because its smaller sibling, the Aion UT, has been heavily discounted. GAC is a large Chinese state-owned manufacturer, and the AION V is its flagship SUV for Australia. On paper, the specs are impressive for the price point.

Five hundred and ten kilometres of WLTP range. A 180 kW DC fast charger that can take the battery from 30% to 80% in 16 minutes. An 8-year, 200,000 km battery warranty. These are flagship-level numbers at a mid-range price.

The catch is familiarity. GAC is a newer entrant to Australia’s market, and the AION V is still building its ownership base here. Resale value is an unknown, servicing availability varies by city, and long-term reliability data is thin. For buyers who keep cars for a long time and don’t worry about resale, those concerns matter less.

If you are considering a novated lease or salary packaging, the FBT exemption that applies to all BEVs under $91,661 makes the AION V even more attractive at this price. See the FBT exemption for EVs page for the current rules. The ATO website has the official guidance. The full exemption runs until 31 March 2027 before the concession is wound back, and leases signed while it applies are grandfathered for their term.

Key specs:

Price: From $42,590 before ORC (March 2026)
Range: 510 km WLTP
Battery: 75.26 kWh LFP
DC Fast Charging: 180 kW max (30–80% in 16 min)
Battery Warranty: 8 years / 200,000 km

Verdict: The most impressive specs on this list. The unanswered questions are around resale and long-term service. If you plan to own it for seven or eight years, that battery warranty alone is compelling.

Also worth a look

Three more cars sit in the $35,000 to $39,000 bracket. The Hyundai Inster is a clever four-seat city car from an established brand, but its list price of $39,000 before on-roads is high for the battery size. The Jaecoo J5 EV lists at $35,990 before on-roads with 402 km of range and an 8-year unlimited warranty. The Leapmotor B10 small SUV starts at $38,990 drive-away and drives better than most rivals; our Leapmotor B10 review explains the dealer-network trade-off.

What to Actually Look for When Buying a Budget EV

Real-World Range, Not Just WLTP

WLTP range is a standardised test figure. Real-world range is lower. How much lower depends on temperature, speed, air conditioning use and driving style. A car rated at 310 km might return 260 km in winter on the freeway. Get a sense of what owners actually report before you buy.

Short-range cars like the Atto 1 Essential are fine for city driving. They are harder work on long regional trips. Be honest with yourself about how often you actually do those trips. Watch the test cycle too: a WLTC or NEDC figure isn’t comparable with WLTP.

Charging Speed at Home and on the Road

Home charging is where most owners do 90-plus percent of their charging. Most homes have a 7.4 kW single-phase circuit available, and that is plenty for overnight charging. Small batteries fill quickly, even from a standard powerpoint.

DC fast charging matters for long trips. The Dolphin Essential and Geely EX2 Complete peak at 60 kW, which makes a road-trip stop long. The Ora 5 and Jaecoo J5 EV are roughly twice as quick. If you do highway driving regularly, check DC charging speed before you commit.

Warranty Length and What it Actually Covers

All of these cars cover the battery under warranty separately from the vehicle. Read both. Geely, GWM and Jaecoo offer unlimited-kilometre battery cover, and MG’s 10-year warranty depends on servicing at MG. BYD’s battery warranty runs eight years or 160,000 km, longer than its six-year vehicle warranty.

Check whether roadside assistance is included and how many years it runs. Some brands include it; others charge extra.

On-Road Costs and Real Drive-Away Price

Always ask for a drive-away price. On-road costs in Australia typically add $2,000 to $4,000 to the before-ORC figure, depending on your state’s stamp duty, registration fees and CTP insurance. Never compare a drive-away price to a before-ORC price.

Check offer end dates too. Many of the sharpest prices on this list are time-limited campaigns, and several ended on 30 September 2026.

Dealer Network and Parts Availability

This is unglamorous but important. BYD and MG have the most established dealer networks among the Chinese brands on this list. Newer entrants such as Leapmotor, GAC and Chery are thinner on the ground, which can mean longer waits for service or parts. Ask your nearest dealer directly: how many technicians do you have trained on this model, and how long is a typical wait for a service appointment?

Resale Value

Resale value for budget EVs is still uncertain in Australia. The market moves quickly, and a big price cut on a new car drags down used values of the same model. The MG ZS EV, replaced in 2025, is a recent example. Factor this in if you plan to sell or trade within three to four years.

Based on average Australian electricity rates, charging any of these budget EVs at home costs approximately 4–5 cents per km, a fraction of petrol running costs. See our EV charging cost guide for a full breakdown by tariff type and state, or use our EV charging cost calculator to model your own. State incentives can reduce the drive-away cost further. Queensland buyers benefit from stamp duty concessions (QLD EV rebates), as do buyers in NSW and VIC. Use our rebate checker to see what’s available in your state.

The budget EV market has changed more in six months than in the previous two years. Prices that looked ambitious in March are now undercut by dealer offers. Start with what you actually drive each week, then work backwards from range to price.

Cheapest Electric Car in Australia 2026: Top Picks From $19,990