BYD News

EV prices are at an all-time low for Aussie buyers.  The BYD Atto 1 is available from $19,990 (drive-away) until 15 December 2026, making it the most affordable new car on sale in Australia.  This makes it cheaper than the petrol-powered Kia Picanto hatch that previously held the title. While the Kia Picanto’s retail $19,190 price is lower, this does not include on-road costs that push its drive-away cost in excess of the $20,000 mark. Other budget-focused players are also gathering steam like the Geely EX2 ($26,490), MG4 Urban (from $29,990 as a limited offer) and the incoming GAC Aion UT Standard Range. It's not just affordable EVs getting cheaper, SUV segments aren't far behind. Fuel prices have driven EV demand, but government rules are having a different sort of impact.  The Australian federal government’s New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) has brands seriously thinking about what models they introduce to the market Down Under.  This is because cars sold that emit high levels of CO2 now incur significant fines, and count towards each brand's fleet total. Pure combustion cars, whether they are petrol or diesel powered, generally fall foul of emissions regulations which has seen brands remove those models from their line-up in favour of hybrid or fully-electric alternatives.  Head of the EV Council and Origin Energy E-mobility GM Chau Le told CarsGuide NVES was driving competitive pricing for electric vehicles in Australia.  “Thanks to the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard, we now have over 100 EV models in Australia and across quite a number of segments from affordable, smaller cars all the way to larger SUVs,” Le said.  “In each of these segments, EVs are becoming competitive, but we're not quite there yet in some of the segments.  “We're still a bit out, but with more EV models coming in and improvement in battery technology, it's only a matter of time until we're competitive across all segments.” Kia Australia’s General Manager Marketing Dean Norbiato told CarsGuide in May 2026 the Korean brand was pivoting its popular Seltos SUV to hybrid-only due to potential NVES fines.  The outgoing Seltos SUV is sold in Australia with both petrol- and hybrid-powered set-ups.  “You just have to look at the penalties for NVES on a petrol vehicle versus a hybrid vehicle," Norbiato said.  “For us to be a sustainable OEM in this market, hybrid obviously makes sense from that standpoint.” Kia's sister brand, Hyundai, has also signalled its intent to switch much of its incoming range of next-generation vehicles to hybrid-only. Expanding EV options doesn't automatically boost buyer demand, according to Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries Chief Executive Tony Weber.  “The impact it has had has been on the supply of vehicles. And we now are in a market in Australia where there's 132 EVs on sale in the country, and there's 80 plug-in hybrid models,” Weber told CarsGuide.  “What NVES doesn't do is address the demand issue. And therein lies the challenge for the industry.” Electric car sales are not surging in all areas of the market, and the ute segment is still dominated by diesel-powered options.   The popular Ford Ranger had a slow August 2026 due to an ongoing recall preventing deliveries. It was still the sixth best-selling car in the country, while the Toyota HiLux held a place in the top three.  The plug-in hybrid BYD Shark 6 has been a game-changer for the segment in Australia, and it has been one of the few utes to see sales growth in the last 12 months.  Even though the Shark 6’s sales have grown significantly, buyers are still primarily choosing diesel options.  BYD’s ute has sold only roughly a third of the units compared to the Ranger in 2026.  Weber said demand is not driven by NVES, but external factors like the price of petrol and the subsidisation of EVs. He said the technology needs to be available before buyers make the jump. “Now, you can argue, and quite rightly, that NVES has had an impact, say in the ute market, because we're now seeing plug-in hybrids,” Weber said.  “The question I have is whether those products would have come to the market anyway, because what also drives change in markets is competition. "I think people will buy the car that meets their needs and wants and until the technology can actually satisfy those people in those segments, that will limit what they buy.  “This is one of the great barriers as we move forward on that pathway to zero-emission vehicles.” Electric cars outsold petrol- and diesel-powered cars for the first time in a single month in August 2026. The SUV segment has been the latest to see a surge in EV sales, with three of the top 10 for August 2026 being fully-electric.  SUVs show how technology reaches an enticing level to boost buyer demand. Many models now boast driving range exceeding 450km and there are now three-row options at more price points.  Utes remain a difficult segment for fully electrics to crack, with towing and driving range key aspects of a buyer’s decision.   The BYD Shark 6 initially launched with a 2500kg braked towing capacity - short of the industry standard 3500kg.  BYD has since introduced a performance grade that reaches the 3500kg, but it is the most expensive in the range, starting from $62,900.  The Toyota HiLux BEV launched in May 2026. It only offers a 240km (WLTP) driving range and a 2000kg towing capacity, despite being the most expensive variant in the range ($74,990). The recently-revealed MG U9 will launch in Australia the fourth quarter of 2026 with a 3500kg towing capacity and 430km driving range, but it carries a $78,990 price tag. It costs buyers noticeably more money to drive out of the showroom with an electric ute than a diesel-powered one. As technology improves and demand picks up, this gap will shrink. 

BYD has shared design sketches and full renders of its upcoming second-generation Atto 1 pure-electric city hatch adding early visuals to specification and tech details filed with China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT). Releasing the images, BYD said the new car, to be marketed as the Great Seagull in China, is “Preserving the classic design while embracing new expression, the lines have been reshaped and the surface refreshed.” The renders position the new car as “dynamic and avant-garde” and the MIIT information shows it will be appreciably longer at 4205mm end-to-end (+425mm), 1810mm wide and 1570mm tall with a 2650mm wheelbase (+150mm). The larger footprint accommodates a five-seat layout (up from four-seat) and to effectively propel the bigger car, power from the single permanent magnet synchronous motor driving the front wheels steps up from 55kW to 95kW in China. The current Atto 1, on sale in Australia since late 2025, is offered in 65kW Essential and 115kW Premium form, and for the time being, at $19,990 drive-away, the Essential is the cheapest new electric car available locally. As with the model it replaces, the new Atto 1’s LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) ‘Blade’ drive battery will be sourced from BYD subsidiary FinDreams. For reference, in Australia the current Atto 1 Essential has a 30kWh battery for a claimed range of 220km and the Premium features a 43.2kWh pack for a more useful 310km between charges. The Australian version is more closely related to the Dolphin Surf sold in the UK and Europe, rather than the China market model. Tech on the newcomer includes an optional roof-mounted Lidar and multiple radars for advanced driver assistance features included in the brand’s ‘God's Eye-B’ ADAS (advanced driver assistance systems) suite. Speaking at last month’s Chengdu Auto Show, BYD General Manager - Ocean Series sales division Zhang Zhuo confirmed the second-gen Atto 1 would be in Chinese showrooms before the end of 2026. CarsGuide has contacted BYD Australia for comment on the new Atto 1’s potential timing for launch in this market.

Two Chinese carmakers have come under fire in Australia for alleged lax cyber security measures and questions over privacy, following investigations from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).  Technology in EVs bring an increased risk of surveillance and privacy breaches and potential hacking, with Four Corners showing how easy it was to allegedly hack a BYD Shark 6. BYD has now responded to the ABC's claims, stating the footage does not conclusively show its vehicles are open to hacking without first gaining physical access to the vehicle. "The footage from the Four Corners report does not provide conclusive evidence that a remote attack vulnerability exists without physical access to the vehicle. Once unrestricted physical access to the vehicle is established the need for passwords diminishes," a spokesperson said. An ABC investigation uncovered that BYD’s privacy policy said data could be collected "in connection with suspected illegal or improper activities" and that this could be done through "surveillance activities". This broad policy gave BYD significant powers to gather data on owners, and how it could disclose information. The carmaker has since removed all references to China and mentions of surveillance. A spokesperson for BYD Australia told CarsGuide privacy policy changes were not made due to the ABC's investigation. "Any inference that the policy was updated in response to the Four Corners investigation is strenuously denied," they said. The company's high-tech credentials mean its vehicles feature lots of camera and other monitoring equipment primarily to improve safety, combined with over-the-air connectivity technology.  BYD cars use a driver monitoring system that includes a camera pointed towards the driver to detect any drowsiness or a lack of attention.  These systems generate substantial amounts of information about those in the car, what they do and the conversations they have.  The Chinese government recently released a raft of new rules to tighten how its carmakers operate in overseas markets. Carmakers are now required to take necessary measures to ensure any data-processing, including collection, use and cross-border transfers must comply with applicable laws.  They must also adhere to personal information protection regulations and safeguard consumer privacy.  This move is designed to improve buyer trust in overseas markets, but there remains concerns about its application.  Australia’s privacy rules allow for data to be transferred to China, so theoretically owner data could be at risk.  BYD’s new policy states in the event of personal data transfers to other countries, it will comply with data protection laws regarding cross-border transfers.  "We haven't and would not transfer any data of Australians to the Chinese authorities," it said.  Companies must still cooperate with authorities when required under national Chinese security rules.  A spokesperson for BYD Australia said the brand cannot be compelled to provide owner information because Australian law governs its operations.  The ABC also published an article on cybersecurity concerns for new EVs.  Cybersecurity expert Dan Hreszczuk was able to remotely access some of a BYD Shark 6’s functions without even needing a password.  Hreszczuk said he unpicked the software programs controlling different functions, and could blast music over the speakers, remotely switch the car’s lights on and off, and operate the wipers, among other things.  “It’s a little bit scary how open … the BYD Shark is to a hacker,” Hreszczuk told the ABC.  A spokesperson for BYD Australia told CarsGuide it was working through its own investigation, and is querying claims made by the ABC. "We are taking full and immediate action in reviewing alleged claims and will respond in detail once we have completed our investigation," they said. They said BYD conducts its own simulated cyberattack testing to assess the effectiveness of protections and identify vulnerabilities. "In current versions of our infotainment system, third-part apps cannot be installed by users, which helps prevent unauthorised software and potential vulnerabilities being installed on the vehicle," they said. It’s not just BYD making headlines over its in-cabin surveillance. Leapmotor cars feature lots of cameras to provide increased vision and safety for owners, in line with many Chinese EVs. The ABC has reported some Leapmotor models use cameras removed from federal government buildings over surveillance concerns. The cameras in question are made by Dahua Technology, and in 2023, many were removed from federal buildings and defence sites. CarsGuide has contacted Leapmotor Australia for comment to find out which models have Dahua cameras installed in them. Leapmotor currently sells its B10 and C10 fully-electric or hybrid range-extender SUVs, and its B05 hatchback in Australia. It will soon introduce the smaller budget-focused B03X designed to rival some of the most affordable EVs on sale in Australia.

BYD Australia has continued to knock down prices for its most popular models. The Chinese giant has slashed the price of the Dolphin Essential electric hatch from $29,990, before on-road costs, to $28,888 (lucky for some) drive-away. Given those on-road costs (dealer delivery, stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance and number plate fees) will range between $1500 and $2000 on a roughly $30K new car, this price repositioning represents a saving of between $2600 and $3100 in line with individual state or territory charges. The catch is the new price applies to orders placed between September 15 and December 15, with cars needing to be delivered by December 31, 2026 to qualify. This move follows BYD earlier this month making its Atto 1 electric city car cheaper than any other new vehicle currently on sale in Australia, with a shift to $19,990, drive-away pricing (from $23,990, before on road costs). The five-seat, five-door Dolphin hatch is offered in Australia in two variants - Essential and Premium - the base grade powered by a 70kW/150Nm electric motor driving the front wheels and delivering 0-100km/h acceleration in 12.3 seconds.     Its 44.9kWh LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) battery is good for a WLTP combined (urban/extra-urban) range of 340km with 60kW DC charging capacity onboard. 5.0-inch digital instrument display 12.8-inch (rotating) multimedia touchscreen  Synthetic leather trim Power front seats Six-speaker audio (with digital radio) Satellite navigation Android Auto/Apple CarPlay Voice Assistant LED exterior lights Climate-control air-conditioning (single-zone) Keyless entry and start Full suite of active safety features The top-spec Premium, still at $36,990, before on-road costs, boasts more power (180kW/310Nm), faster acceleration (0-100km/h in 7.0sec), a bigger battery (60.5kWh), greater range (427km WLTP) and faster charging (80kW). It also adds features like a panoramic glass roof, wireless charging, heated front seats, tinted glass and more. This pricing shift puts extra pressure on the Dolphin’s direct small hatch EV competitors, including the GAC Aion (from $31,990) and Leapmotor B05 (from $35,888), both before on-road costs.  And stand-by for what will inevitably be more price discounts as new car challengers intent on capturing market share battle with legacy brands equally determined to defend their ground and grow sales.

BYD Australia has confirmed pricing for the next of its models in line for an Australian launch, its M9 people-mover. The 2026 BYD M9 will start from $61,990, before on-road costs, in Australia for the eight-seat M9 Dynamic, though the first grade to arrive will be the flagship seven-seat M9 Premium priced at $72,990. BYD’s first people mover, the M9, joins a market category dominated by the Kia Carnival, though the Hyundai Staria and Ford Tourneo take up distant second and third places. Other new arrivals to the people-mover category are more expensive, like the BYD-related Denza D9 or the Zeekr 009. On its 3045mm wheelbase, the M9 is 5145mm long, 1970mm wide and 1805mm high and its three-row layout provides "generous accommodation" according to the brand. Its plug-in hybrid (PHEV) drivetrain draws power from a 36.60kWh BYD LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) 'Blade' battery, the Dynamic with a 20.39kWh equivalent and features a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine to charge the battery and help provide drive. The Premium, the only grade available from launch, boasts 145km of EV range and up to 850km of combined range (under WLTP testing) according to BYD, with AC and DC charging, as well as Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) all supported. Its drivetrain consists of a front-mounted electric motor that provides 200kW and 315Nm, though with the engine’s help total outputs are 218kW and 315Nm. With enough battery charge, the fuel consumption claim for the M9 is 0.4L/100km, but with a low battery that jumps to 7.3L/100km - still a reasonable figure. While features for the entry Dynamic grade are yet to be confirmed, the Premium comes with a long list of luxe features including: A 12.3-inch digital instrument driver display A 15.6-inch multimedia touchscreen Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Over-the-air updates (OTA)  12-speaker sound system Four-zone voice control Leather upholstery  Heated and ventilated front seats with massage function  Heated and ventilated second-row captain's chairs with massage function An integrated refrigerator and hotbox Augmented reality (AR) projection Power sunroof Acoustic front glass Privacy rear glass Interior ambient lighting LED headlights LED tail-lights 50W wireless phone charger The BYD M9 also features nine airbags and a suite of crash-avoidance safety kit including a surround-view camera system and eight ultrasonic sensors to aid in advanced driver assist (ADAS) functions. BYD Australia Chief Operating Officer Stephen Collins said the M9 is part of the brand’s “commitment to this market”. “The M9 marks the seventh all-new model BYD has introduced within 12 months, and all of them in new segments.  “We also added two significant new Shark 6 variants, the Shark 6 Cab Chassis and Shark 6 Premium pick-up, in response to customer needs. “The acceptance of BYD vehicles is reflected in our continued strong sales, with year-to-date deliveries more than double ahead of last year, which itself was a record year.”

BYD is recalling 32,009 examples of its Shark 6 plug-in hybrid (PHEV) dual-cab ute in Australia due to the potential abnormal wear of the spare wheel assembly. This recall affects BYD Shark 6 examples produced between August 29, 2024 and June 15, 2026. BYD has clarified that this recall doesn’t relate to all Shark 6 examples and only certain examples. “For involved vehicles, BYD has identified that in certain circumstances incorrect installation of the spare wheel, incorrect positioning of the spare wheel tray or insufficient fastening torque may cause abnormal wear of the spare wheel support cable,” said BYD Australia in its recall notice. “Continued movement and friction during vehicle operation may cause the cable to fail, resulting in spare wheel detachment. “This may create a hazard to other road users and potentially cause serious injury or death.” If you own an affected vehicle, BYD will replace the spare wheel lifter assembly with an updated design, free of charge. BYD estimates that this fix will take around 30 minutes, but this depends on the dealer’s work schedule. BYD Australia is urging Shark 6 owners that are affected by this recall to remove the spare wheel from their vehicle if they wish to continue driving it. The company will contact affected Shark 6 owners and provide details regarding the recall. It urges owners to keep their contact information up to date. This notification will come via an email, but customers with the BYD app may also receive a notification there. From here you will be prompted to contact your BYD dealer as soon as possible. If you have further questions, you can contact BYD Customer Care on 1800 888 298 from Monday to Friday 9:30am-5:30pm AEST.

BYD has made its electric car cheaper than any other vehicle on sale right now. The Chinese brand has slashed the price of its Atto 1 electric small hatchback to $19,990, drive-away. There is no end date to the offer at this point. BYD Australia’s Chief Operating Officer Stephen Collins said this would give more Australians a chance to access an electric car during an ongoing period of sky high fuel prices and a cost of living crisis. "At a time when Australian families are carefully considering every household expense, we're committed to making vehicle ownership more attainable," said Collins. "The BYD ATTO 1 at $19,990 drive-away demonstrates our commitment to delivering outstanding value without compromising on technology, safety or quality.” The deal only applies to the BYD Atto 1 Essential grade, which was previously priced at $23,990 before on-road costs. This means buyers are saving about $7000 off the full drive-away price. The Atto 1 is an urban-focused electric car, with a small 30kWh Lithium-Ferro-Phosphate (LFP) battery that delivers a modest driving range of up to 220km. It uses a single electric motor to make 65kW and 175Nm to drive the front wheels. It is a small unit, measuring 3990mm long, 1720mm wide, 1590mm high and it has a wheelbase of 2500mm. That puts it in the same ballpark as the Toyota Yaris and Mazda2 hatchbacks. The current cheapest cars are the petrol-powered Kia Picanto starting from $19,190, before on-road costs, and the the MG3 hatchback is also priced from $19,990, drive-away, for a limited time.

To be honest I didn’t think this would happen so fast but it really does appear the end is nigh for the internal combustion engine in Australia, because for the first time sales of electric cars have overtaken petrol ones.  So how does Australia compare for EVs sales compared to the rest of the world? Australia is punching well above its weight.  Australia is ranked high when it comes to EV sales compared to the world, but wait until you see how high. Australians bought 27,089 electric vehicles in August, which represent 24.9 per cent of the market. Not included in this are hybrids or plug-in hybrids, and that makes this number even more significant. In comparison the total sales of petrol cars in August, including light commercial vehicles, came to 25,824. August’s sales came off the back of a bumper July total of 23,510, but they weren’t the largest recorded - that claim to fame goes to June with 32,570 sales.  August was a big month for EV sales in other parts of the world, too. Sales of EVs in France reached a record 38 per cent of the market or 36,159 electric cars. Quick reminder: Australia for the same month has 24.9 per cent and 27,089 electric cars. Let me also tell you that France is placed fourth in the world rankings for August EV sales. Of course this is nothing compared to China’s EV sales, which were approximately one million for August. Yes, China sold the same number of electric cars in August as the almost the combined sales of petrol, diesel, EV, and hybrids in Australia in any given year. With China in the No.1 place; in second place for August is Germany with 68,930 sales; then in third is the United States with about 65,000; then France with its 36,159; followed by the United Kingdom with 27,876; and then in sixth place is Australia with 27,089. We just missed out on being in the top 5 for August EV sales. Australia’s year-to-date battery electric vehicle sales through to the end of August come to 154,313. This places Australia in seventh place globally for the year so far, behind China in first place with approximately 6.06 million sales; then in second place is the US with about 500,000 sales; then Germany in third with 446,615; the UK is in fourth with 327,683; then France with 322,097; and then South Korea with 272,000. Petrol sales year to date have reached 243,673, which is 89,360 sales of the 154,313 EV sales. So while monthly sales of EVs are beginning to overtake petrol car sales, we won't see the electric car sales total for the year eclipse those of petrol in 2026. A recent report from the NRMA found there are approximately 500,000 EVs on Australian roads and this accounted for just three per cent of the total number of registered vehicles.  But as we have seen by the monthly figures EV sales are at a high level and staying high. The NRMA said by 2040 10 per cent of registered vehicles will be EVs, and modelling by the CSIRO predicts by 2050 97 per cent of all light passenger cars will be battery electric vehicles. The Tesla Model Y is not just the biggest selling EV, it's also is the best selling of all cars in Australia right now with 6414 sold in August. The BYD Sealion 7 electric SUV with 2213 sales is the fifth best-selling car in Australia, while the Zeekr 7X is in ninth place with 1748 sales.

LG has made a battery breakthrough that could bring down the costs of electric cars further, as the race to develop more efficient technology heats up. Electrical technology company LG Energy Solution and Seoul National University have announced a breakthrough in the development of Lithium Manganese-Rich (LMR) batteries.  The breakthrough ensures better stability of the battery making it recharge more fully, lengthening its life time while also reducing the costs of production. You’ve heard of Lithium-Ferro-Phosphate batteries (LFP) and Nickel-Manganese-Cobalt (NMC) batteries, well LMR batteries are the next generation of how electric cars will store their power. As the name suggests, LMR batteries contain lithium and manganese metals, but the advantages to them are hard to ignore. LMR batteries are super energy dense, which means they can be used for high performance cars that want colossal grunt, and for long driving ranges for everyday cars. They also don’t contain cobalt.   Currently cobalt is of great ethical concern regarding how it’s mined, the environmental factors of the material and the sheer cost.  OK, we’re going to get a bit technical. So hold on.  A barrier for LMR batteries until now is the recharging issues - they require a tonne of voltage to charge, but this destabilises the cathode and that means oxygen is lost and this causes the crystals to warp.  Basically, the battery loses the ability to hold its charge over time, while capacity also fades.  LG has worked out how to build LMR batteries that don’t need a high voltage to charge and this retains the structural integrity of the crystal structure and so there’s minimal battery fade over time. This is huge, but it’s very early days and the development is still in the research phase. LG is celebrating the breakthrough. “This research addresses one of the key challenges facing LMR batteries,” an LG Energy Solution spokesperson said in a press statement.  “It demonstrates that stable battery life can be secured even in large-format cells by effectively suppressing gas generation, providing an important foundation for growth in the next-generation LMR battery market.”     Currently NMC batteries, which use cobalt are in high-powered or bigger cars that demand lots of grunt. Autobahn cruisers like the Porsche Taycan, big family SUVs, such as the Kia EV9 or long-legged EVs such as the Zeekr 7X need NMC batteries to provide substantial range and power. But NMC batteries are also why these vehicles are so expensive - the high cost of producing them from sourcing materials to making them is passed onto the consumer. LFP batteries don’t use cobalt, which is excellent, but they aren’t as energy dense as NMC batteries and that’s adequate for small cars and suburban family SUVs, but more range and power would be better. LMR batteries could replace LFP and NMC altogether, and this will reduce the price of EVs while ensuring long range and good driving performance, while not losing charging capacity over time. That’s why LG is celebrating this breakthrough and you can bet car companies will be watching the progress very closely. 

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.  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.  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.  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.