Affordable electric car battle heats up as MG drops ZS EV pricing to better compete with BYD Dolphin and GWM Ora

MG Australia has slashed pricing of its ZS EV SUV by up to $6000 to keep it more competitive against the influx of more affordable electric cars like the BYD Dolphin and GWM Ora.

The new ZS EV line-up now kicks off with the Excite at $40,990, before on-road costs, a $2000 reduction, while the mid-tier Essence has dropped $1000 to $43,990.

However, its the top-spec Long Range that has seen the biggest cut, down $6000 to $49,990 – matching the price of the hotly-anticipated BYD Seal.

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According to MG, the reason for the price drop is it’s “commitment to support more Australians to access electric vehicles”, while a spokesperson said, “MG continues to work with SAIC, our suppliers, dealer network and freight partners to reduce costs wherever possible.

“Whenever we are able to pass price reductions onto our customers, we will make sure we do,” they said.

While the MG ZS EV is still more expensive than the BYD Dolphin (from $38,890), GWM Ora (from $39,990) and the brand’s own MG4 (from $38,990), it remains the most affordable all-electric SUV in Australia, undercutting the BYD Atto 3 (from $48,011) and popular Tesla Model Y (from $65,400).

Despite the change in price, specification and equipment has remained the same across the 2024 MG ZS EV line-up.

This means the Excite and Essence are fitted with a 44.5kWh battery for a driving range of 320km, while the Long Range flagship has a larger 68kWh unit for a 440km distance.

Standard equipment includes a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster, 17-inch alloy wheels, a surround-view monitor, and a 10.1-inch multimedia touchscreen with satellite navigation and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto support.

For safety there is MG’s 'Pilot' suite that includes autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control and lane keep assist.

Stepping up to the Essence adds rear cross-traffic alert and blind-spot monitoring, as well as a wireless smartphone charger, heated front seats and a panoramic sunroof.

Meanwhile, the range-topping Long Range matches the Essence for equipment, but justifies its higher price thanks to its bigger battery.

2024 MG ZS EV pricing before on-road costs