A sub-$20k electric car? 2024 MG Comet EV joins a city car category Australians miss out on

A new compact electric car built for narrow city streets and low-speed commutes has been revealed, and it’s not the same ‘Europe-only’ story as cars like the cutesy Citroen Ami.

The four-seat MG Comet EV, revealed as an MG-badged sibling to the Chinese market Wuling Air EV, has gone on sale in India priced below AUD$15,000.

But, as you might have guessed, you shouldn’t hold your breath for the model to make its way Down Under.

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Starting in Indian Rupees at a quite reasonable ₹798,000 (or a direct conversion to AUD$14,700), the Comet is a diminutive four-seat coupe/hatch about the size of the Citroen Ami, less than three metres long.

It has a 17.3kWh battery and a maximum power output of 31kW and torque of 110Nm through its single electric motor, alongside a quite impressive claimed driving range of 230km. 

For reference, a 2023 Mini hatch electric car costs from $62,825 before on-road costs and has a range of 233km.

Unfortunately for anyone in inner-city Australia hoping to get their hands on a tiny, city-friendly mode of transport that’s a bit safer than a scooter, there’s bad news.

As expected, a spokesperson from MG Australia confirmed to CarsGuide that the Comet EV is unlikely to ever be sold in Australia, without specifically mentioning our strict regulations as the likely reason.

“MG is always considering exciting new models as they become available for our market, however, we have no news to share around the MG Comet right now and it is highly unlikely we’ll ever see this model in Australia.”

The Comet is a small four-seat hatch.

The MG India website does include a section on its page for the Comet on ‘safety’, but lists no safety features.

In the brochure, it specifies that the Comet has ABS and emergency brake assist, reverse parking camera and sensors, dual front airbags, ISOFIX seat anchors in the rear, and even a tyre pressure monitoring system.

It’s likely the lack of active safety features, as well as its size contributing to poor high-speed crash safety, would make it incredibly difficult for the Comet to score well in an ANCAP test.