Cheapest electric cars in Australia 2026: Top 10 EVs ranked by driveaway price

UPDATED MAY 2026

Electric cars in Australia have never been cheaper. A wave of new Chinese brands arrived through 2025 and into 2026 forcing the established players to respond, and the result is a genuinely competitive sub-$40K EV market for the first time. The cheapest electric car in Australia now starts from just over $27,000 driveaway.

Below are the 10 cheapest EVs you can buy in Australia right now, ranked by entry-level driveaway price.

Cheapest electric cars in Australia 2026

1. BYD Atto 1 - from $27,097 driveaway

BYD Atto 1

The BYD Atto 1 is now Australia’s cheapest electric car - and that alone makes it worth paying attention to.

Starting from just $27,097 driveaway in NSW, it undercuts almost everything on the market including BYD’s own Dolphin. And while it’s clearly built as a budget-first EV, it doesn’t feel like a bare-bones penalty box.

The entry-level Essential gives you around 220km of real-world usable range - just enough for commuting, school runs and daily driving. Step up to the Premium and you get a bigger battery, more power and a much more comfortable 310km range, which makes it far easier to live with.

It’s also more practical than you might expect with a decent boot, folding rear seats and handy features like vehicle-to-load if you want to power devices on the go. Add in wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and it ticks the key boxes most buyers actually care about.

Verdict: It’s not built for long-distance road trips - but as a cheap, easy-to-live-with city EV, nothing else comes close at this price.

2. MG4 EV Urban - from $31,990 driveaway

MG4 EV Urban

The MG4 EV Urban has landed in Australia arriving at $31,990 driveaway for the 43kWh entry-level model - a price that undercuts the BYD Dolphin.

This is a bigger car than you might expect. The Urban measures 4,395mm long with a 2,750mm wheelbase - 108mm longer and 45mm taller than the standard MG4 - and is built on MG's new E3 platform with a torsion-beam rear suspension layout.

Boot capacity sits between 382 and 1,266 litres with the rear seats folded - a serious number for this price bracket. The long-range 54kWh variant claims up to 405km. MG's conditional 10-year warranty applies to both.

Verdict: The one most buyers should seriously consider - better range, more space and a more usable all-round package than the cheapest EVs.

3. GAC Aion UT - from $32,990 driveaway

GAC Aion UT

The GAC Aion UT is one of the most interesting new arrivals in the affordable EV space - and it’s already getting a lot of attention.

Now priced from $32,990 driveaway, it brings some seriously strong numbers for the money. A claimed 430km of range and a 150kW motor put it right at the top of this segment on paper.

More importantly it doesn’t feel like a stripped-out budget option. The cabin is roomy for its size, there’s a usable 321 litre boot and it comes well equipped across the range - all things that matter in everyday use.

It’s also backed by one of China’s largest automotive groups, giving it a more established foundation than many new entrants hitting the market.

Verdict: Huge range and performance for the money make this one hard to ignore - and a serious disruptor in the budget EV segment.

4. BYD Dolphin - from $33,277 driveaway

BYD Dolphin

The BYD Dolphin was Australia’s cheapest EV until its smaller sibling arrived - and it still represents exceptional value.

It’s an easy car to recommend. The entry-level version offers enough range for everyday use, while stepping up brings a noticeable jump in both performance and range, making it far more flexible beyond just city driving.

More importantly it feels like a complete package. The interior is well finished, the tech is easy to live with, and features like the large rotating touchscreen and BYD’s Blade Battery tech help it stand out at this price point.

For most buyers wanting a practical electric hatchback without spending big, the Dolphin remains one of the safest choices in the market.

Verdict: A safe, well-rounded choice in the affordable EV space - offering proven tech, solid range and strong everyday usability, even as newer rivals start to push the value further.

5. GWM Ora - from $33,990 driveaway

GWM Ora

The GWM Ora has been on sale in Australia for a while now and it still stands out as one of the more distinctive options in the affordable EV space.

The retro-inspired design gives it real personality - something a lot of cars in this segment lack - and it helps the Ora feel a bit different from the usual budget EV formula.

Underneath, it delivers solid, usable range of up to around 400km, along with enough performance for everyday driving. More importantly, it’s easy to live with. The cabin is surprisingly spacious for its size, it’s well equipped, and features like a heat pump and vehicle-to-load add to its everyday appeal.

It’s not the newest or most cutting-edge option anymore, but it still offers a well-rounded package that makes sense for a lot of buyers.

Verdict: A quirky and well-equipped option in the budget EV space - offering solid range and features, though newer rivals now offer sharper value or performance for similar money.

6. BYD Atto 2 - from $35,337 driveaway

BYD Atto 2

The BYD Atto 2 sits just above the cheapest EVs, offering a more polished and better-equipped package without moving too far up in price.

It doesn’t try to reinvent anything - it just builds on what BYD already does well. You get more performance, more range and a nicer interior than the entry-level options, making it easier to live with day to day.

It’s not dramatically bigger than the smaller hatchbacks, but it does feel like a step up in overall refinement and usability. For buyers who want something a bit more complete without jumping straight into $40K+, it makes a lot of sense.

Verdict: A more refined and better-equipped alternative to the cheapest EVs - offering stronger performance and range, though it starts to push beyond true budget pricing.

7. Jaecoo J5 EV - from $36,990 driveaway

Jaecoo J5

The Jaecoo J5 is the wildcard on this list - and one of the most interesting options if you want more than just a small hatch.

For the money, this feels like a proper SUV. You’re getting a 58.9kWh battery, up to 402km of WLTP range and a 155kW motor - but more importantly, you’re getting space, presence and a much more substantial car overall.

Inside it’s well equipped too with a large touchscreen, panoramic roof and a clean, modern layout. It doesn’t feel like a budget EV - which is exactly the point.

At $36,990 driveaway this is where the conversation starts to shift from “cheap EV” to “genuinely good car for the money.”

Verdict: A lot more car for the money - offering strong range, solid performance and real SUV practicality, making it one of the most compelling step-up options from the cheapest EVs.

8. Hyundai Inster - from $38,990 driveaway

Hyundai Inster

The Hyundai Inster is one of the more interesting new arrivals in the affordable EV space - and one of the few from a mainstream non-Chinese brand at this price point.

It’s a small car, but cleverly packaged. The Standard Range uses a 42kWh battery for around 327km of WLTP range, while the Long Range stretches that to 360km. It’s also one of the few EVs here that actually feels fun to drive around town.

There are a couple of trade-offs. It’s a four-seater rather than five, and it’s clearly designed with urban use in mind. But the interior is well thought out, it’s packed with Hyundai’s SmartSense safety tech, and it’s easy to live with day to day.

Verdict: A clever, characterful city EV with strong safety tech and Hyundai backing - but at $38,990 driveaway it's no longer the budget pick it once was and rivals at this price offer significantly more space.

9. Chery E5 - from $38,990 driveaway

Chery E5

The Chery E5 brings proper SUV practicality to the affordable end of the EV market, offering more space and presence than the hatchbacks that dominate this list.

Under the skin, it runs a 61kWh battery paired with a 150kW motor for a claimed 430km of WLTP range - right up there with the strongest performers at this price.

Inside it’s clean and well equipped with dual screens and a modern layout that feels more premium than you might expect. And importantly, it feels like a genuine step up in size and usability over the cheaper options here.

This isn’t the most polished or engaging EV on the list - but if you’re prioritising space, range and value, it makes a strong case.

Verdict: Strong on space and range for the money - a solid SUV option for buyers stepping up from smaller EVs.

10. MG4 EV - from $39,990 driveaway

MG4 EV

The MY26 MG4 has just landed and it's a meaningful step up over the model it replaces, though the price has moved with it.

The lineup is simpler now too. There's the rear-wheel drive Essence 64 at $39,990 driveaway with up to 452km of WLTP range, and the all-wheel drive XPOWER at $47,990 with a 0-100km/h time of 3.8 seconds.

The biggest change is inside. The MY26 picks up the new design language from the MGS5 EV with a 12.8-inch centre touchscreen, a 10.25-inch driver display, physical buttons for climate and volume, heated front seats and a heated steering wheel. It still rides on MG's dedicated EV platform with 50:50 weight distribution and a proper multi-link rear suspension setup, so the driving feel that made the original stand out is still very much there.

The catch is that at $39,990 driveaway it's clearly stepped out of true budget territory and now sits closer to mid-market rivals.

Verdict: Still one of the most enjoyable EVs to drive at this price, and the cabin is much improved, but the price jump means it no longer wears the value crown it once did.

The Beep verdict

The BYD Atto 1 is now the cheapest electric car in Australia - and if your driving is mostly city-based, it’s the easiest entry point into EV ownership right now.

But for most buyers, the sweet spot sits just above that.

The MG4 EV Urban stands out as the best all-round affordable EV in 2026, offering more range, more space and a more complete package without stretching too far beyond $30K driveaway.

If maximum range matters, the GAC Aion UT is one to watch, delivering some of the strongest numbers in this segment at a very competitive price.

And if you want SUV practicality, stepping up to models like the Jaecoo J5 EV or Chery E5 gives you significantly more space and usability without blowing the budget.

At this end of the market the differences come down to how you’ll actually use the car - city commuting, longer trips or family duties - so it’s worth comparing real driveaway pricing, range and availability before making a call.

Wamt to know which one is best? See our guide to the best electric cars under $50k in Australia.

Looking for premium electric SUVs? See our guide to the best electric SUVs in Australia.

Frequently asked questions about electric cars in Australia

What is the cheapest electric car in Australia?

The cheapest electric car in Australia in 2026 is the BYD Atto 1, priced from around $27,000 driveaway.

Are electric cars cheaper than petrol cars in Australia?

Electric cars are becoming more affordable with some models now priced similarly to petrol hatchbacks. Lower running and maintenance costs can also make EVs cheaper over time.

What is the best affordable EV in Australia?

For most buyers, models like the MG4 EV Urban and MG4 offer the best balance of price, range and everyday usability in the affordable EV segment.