It has never been cheaper for buyers considering an EV in Australia.
Increased demand and more efficient development processes have reduced the prices of electric cars in Australia significantly.
Carmakers continue to battle it out to go cheaper than their rivals, with options now appearing below the $30,000 mark.
Some affordable EVs are even cheaper than traditional petrol-powered budget examples.
What electric cars are available under $30,000?
The BYD Atto 1 has maintained its title as the cheapest electric car in Australia.
The compact SUV starts from $23,990, with top-spec models costing $27,990, both before on-road costs. Until the end of the year, the BYD Atto 1 Essential grade is just $19,990 drive-away, making it not just the cheapest EV but the cheapest car in Australia.
The Atto 1’s single electric motor only produces 65kW and 175Nm as standard, while its 30kWh battery is good for more than 200km of driving range (WLTP).
The newest member of the below $30,000 club is the Geely EX2, which has already surged towards the top of the sales charts in Australia.
The rear-wheel drive EX2 starts from $26,490, with the range-topping variant priced from $30,990, both before on-road costs.
The base variant has 60kW and 150Nm from a single electric motor, along with a 35kWh battery offering 252km.
GAC will launch a short-range version of its Aion UT in late 2026 that is expected to be less than $30,000, as well.
The Atto 1 and Geely EX2 use before on-road costs pricing, so buyers will have to spend an extra up to $5000 on registration and other costs to drive it out of the showroom.
What are some of the other cars on offer?
The MG4 Urban is the cheaper front-wheel drive sibling of the MG4, available with a sharp drive-away price of $31,990.
Its 110kW and 250Nm as standard bests its cheaper competition, while its more than 316km of driving range is hard to look past at its price point.
While GAC’s short-range Aion UT is not here yet, the current ‘Premium’ grade starts from $31,990 (drive-away).
The Aion UT boasts an electric motor that makes 150kW and 210Nm, besting the MG4 Urban with a quoted riving range of more than 400km from its 60kWh battery.
The GWM Ora 5 SUV is available from $33,990, drive-away, as a new cheaper replacement for the Ora hatch.
The Ora 5 makes 150kW and 260Nm from its single electric motor.
BYD’s affordable EVs continue down the list, with the Dolphin hatchback ($29,990) and the bigger Atto 2 small SUV ($31,990), both before on-road costs.
What bigger options are available for under $40,000?
Leapmotor’s B05 is the brand’s cheapest car on sale, and currently is available with a $35,990, drive-away price until 30 September 2026.
The B05 is a smaller SUV compared to mid-sized Leapmotor’s B10 with its fully-electric variant kicking off from $38,990, drive-away, also until 30 September 2026.
The Jaecoo J5's proportions are on the larger end of the small SUV scale, making it a compelling proposition at $36,990, drive-away.
The J5 has had a strong start to life in Australia, and the best-selling small SUV for May 2026.
2026 10 cheapest EVs Australia
| Car | Price (before on-road costs) | Car type |
| BYD Atto 1 | $23,990 | Compact SUV |
| Geely EX2 | $26,490 | Hatchback |
| MG4 Urban | $31,990 (drive-away) | Hatchback |
| GAC Aion UT | $31,990 (drive-away) | Hatchback |
| BYD Dolphin | $29,990 | Hatchback |
| BYD Atto 2 | $31,990 | Compact SUV |
| GWM Ora 5 | $33,990 (drive-away) | Compact SUV |
| Leapmotor B05 | $35,990 (drive-away) | Small SUV |
| Jaecoo J5 EV | $36,990 (drive-away) | Small SUV |
| Leapmotor B10 | $38,990 (drive-away) | Small SUV |
