Key Points
- Electric cars have reached price parity with two models under $30,000
- The BYD Atto 1 is the cheapest electric car starting from $23,990 plus on-road costs
- The Aion UT and MG4 Urban join the list as new affordable options from $31,990
The affordable EV market in Australia has reached a significant milestone in 2026, with 2 electric vehicles now priced under $30,000, 3 UNDER $35,000 and 20 models under $40,000. The value segment is dominated by BYD, MG, and GAC who all have sub $35,000 EV models in the Australian market. This list features the cheapest EVs in Australia - we'll cover the price, specs and key features of each model.
The BYD Atto 1 is the cheapest electric car in Australia starting from $23,990 plus on-road costs. This is followed by the BYD Dolphin which starts from $29,990 plus on-road costs and the Aion UT which starts from $31,990 plus on-road costs.
Rounding out the top 5, the MG4 Urban starts from $31,990 drive-away and the BYD Atto 2 which starts from $31,990 plus on-road costs.
All these EV models are lower than the price of traditional petrol internal combustion engine (ICE) small cars, including the top-spec Toyota Corolla ZR Hybrid ($38,120), Mazda 3 G25 Astina ($42,320), and Hyundai i30 Hatch N-Line Premium ($37,300).
1. BYD Atto 1
The BYD Atto 1 is Australia's most affordable electric vehicle, perfect for urban settings with fast-charging capability.
The BYD Atto 1 will start from $23,990 plus on-road costs, making it Australia's most affordable electric vehicle. Available in two models, the Essential and the Premium, with a 30kWh and 43.2kWh battery respectively, the Atto 1 is perfect for urban settings with fast-charging capability, with DC charging from 10%–80% in approximately 30 minutes, making it ideal for city dwellers and first-time EV buyers.
The Atto 1 is a compact city hatchback, measuring approximately 3,780mm in length, making it one of the smallest EVs available in Australia. Its compact dimensions make it ideal for urban driving and parking, while still offering practical interior space for city commuters and small families.
| Specification | Essential | Premium |
| Price (plus ORC) | $23,990 | $27,990 |
| Battery | 30kWh | 43.2kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | 220km | 310km |
| DC Charging | 65kW (10-80% in ~30 min) | 85kW (10-80% in ~30 min) |
| Motor | Front-wheel drive | Front-wheel drive |
| V2L | No | Yes |
The Atto 1 is known as the Dolphin Mini in Latin America, Dolphin Surf in Europe, and Seagull in the domestic Chinese market.
Built on BYD's next-generation e-Platform 3.0, the Atto 1 delivers the performance, safety and efficiency expected from BYD's growing EV portfolio. It feature the latest evolution of BYD's Blade Battery and 8-in-1 electric powertrain, with extensive R&D testing for suspension tuning and ADAS specifically for Australian conditions.
The Atto 1 is currently available for sale.
2. BYD Dolphin
The BYD Dolphin features great in-car technology, a high quality interior and good passenger and storage space.
The BYD Dolphin starts from $29,990 before on-road costs. It is available in two variants: Essential and Premium, with ranges from 340km to 427km WLTP.
| Specification | Essential | Premium |
| Price | $29,990 (before ORC) | $36,990 (before ORC) |
| Battery | 44.9 kWh LFP Blade Battery | 60.5 kWh LFP Blade Battery |
| Range (WLTP) | 340 km | 427 km |
| DC Fast Charging | 60 kW (30-80% in 29 min) | 80 kW (30-80% in 29 min) |
| Acceleration (0-100 km/h) | 12.3 seconds | 7.0 seconds |
| Drive Type | Front-wheel drive | Front-wheel drive |
| Motor Power | 70 kW | 150 kW |
| Torque | 180 Nm | 310 Nm |
The BYD Dolphin represents exceptional value compared to traditional petrol alternatives. At $29,990, it undercuts the Toyota Corolla ZR Hybrid ($38,120) and Mazda 3 G25 Astina ($42,320) while offering zero emissions and lower running costs. The Premium variant's 427km range makes it suitable for both city commuting and weekend trips.
Following the recent introduction of the "Essential" trim, the BYD Dolphin range is now priced from $29,990 before on-road costs (~$32,000 drive-away, depending on the state), making it the cheapest electric car available. All Dolphin variants will be eligible for the various state government incentives and the FBT exemption which is available through a novated lease.
Built on the same dedicated EV platform as the popular BYD Atto 3, both models use BYD's 'Blade Battery' based on lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) technology.
All variants feature a 12.8-inch tablet-style rotatable infotainment system running its own 'DiLink' software and a complete suite of safety assistance systems like adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree camera.
3. Aion UT
The Aion UT offers 430km of WLTP range, a 150kW motor and strong value with a 60kWh battery from $31,990 before on-road costs.
The Aion UT starts from $31,990 plus on-road costs, making it one of Australia's most affordable electric vehicles. Available in two variants: Premium and Luxury, both powered by the same 150kW/210Nm front-mounted electric motor and 60kWh battery pack delivering a WLTP-rated 430km of range. A pre-order drive-away price of $30,990 was available for the first 600 customers.
The Aion UT is a compact hatchback from GAC, China's fourth-largest automaker. It becomes GAC's second BEV model in Australia, joining the Aion V. The UT features AC charging up to 11kW and DC fast charging up to 87kW, with a 10-80% charge achievable in approximately 40 minutes.
| Specification | Premium | Luxury |
| Price (plus ORC) | $31,990 | $35,990 |
| Battery | 60kWh | 60kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | 430km | 430km |
| Motor Power | 150kW | 150kW |
| Torque | 210Nm | 210Nm |
| DC Charging | 87kW | 87kW |
| AC Charging | 11kW | 11kW |
| Drive Type | Front-wheel drive | Front-wheel drive |
The Luxury model adds a powered tailgate, panoramic sunroof with electric sunshade, wireless phone charging and a ventilated driver's seat over the base Premium.
GAC backs the Aion UT with an 8-year unlimited kilometre vehicle warranty, while the Magazine Battery 2.0 pack is covered for 8 years/200,000km. Five years of roadside assistance is included. Deliveries commenced in Q2 2026.
GAC Australia has opened order books for the AION UT with an introductory drive-away price offer. The first 600 customers who pre-order between 12 March and 9 April 2026 get drive-away pricing plus a bonus charging package.
Drive-away pricing is available in two grades:
- Premium: $30,990 drive-away
- Luxury: $35,990 drive-away
4. MG4 Urban
The MG4 Urban is MG's most affordable EV, featuring a all-new electric drive system, 150kW DC fast charging and a larger boot than the standard MG4.
The MG4 Urban starts from $31,990 drive-away, making it the most affordable MG electric vehicle in Australia. Available in two battery options: a 43kWh Standard and a 54kWh Long Range, with WLTP ranges of 316km and 405km respectively. Both variants are front-wheel drive with a single electric motor.
The MG4 Urban is a new entry point to the MG4 family, designed for daily commuting, school runs, and weekend errands. It uses MG's 6-in-1 electric drive system, which integrates multiple drivetrain components into a single compact unit, reducing weight and freeing up interior space. MG says this increases passenger and luggage space by 20% compared to the standard MG4, with a 568L boot.
| Specification | Standard | Long Range |
| Price | $31,990 drive-away | TBC |
| Battery | 43kWh | 54kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | 316km | 405km |
| Motor Power | 110kW | 118kW |
| DC Charging | 150kW | 150kW |
| AC Charging | 6.6kW | 6.6kW |
| Acceleration (0-100 km/h) | 9.0 seconds | 8.7 seconds |
| Drive Type | Front-wheel drive | Front-wheel drive |
A high-efficiency heat pump is standard on all MG4 Urban variants. Test drives at dealerships began from 1 April 2026.
All MG4 Urban models are backed by MG's 10-year/250,000km warranty when serviced within the MG dealer network. The standard warranty is 7 years/unlimited kilometres, with the high-voltage battery covered for 8 years/160,000km. MG has over 100 dealers nationwide.
All variants are eligible for the various state government incentives and the FBT exemption which is available through a novated lease.
5. BYD Atto 2
The BYD Atto 2 combines SUV comfort with urban practicality, offering a blend of performance, space, and efficiency. It is also the cheapest electric SUV on sale.
| Specification | Dynamic | Premium |
| Price (plus ORC) | $31,990 | $35,990 |
| Battery | 51.3kWh | 51.3kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | 345km | 345km |
| DC Charging | 10-80% in 39 min | 10-80% in 39 min |
| Motor | Front-wheel drive | Front-wheel drive |
| V2L | Yes | Yes |
The BYD Atto 2 is priced from $31,990 plus on-road costs making is the cheapest electric SUV in Australia. The larger Atto 2 combines SUV comfort with urban practicality, featuring a 51.3kWh battery across both the Dynamic and Premium models. It offers a blend of performance, space, and efficiency, with DC charging from 10%-80% in approximately 39 minutes.
The Atto 2 is a compact SUV that sits between a small hatchback and a mid-size SUV. With dimensions larger than the Atto 1 but smaller than the Atto 3, it offers a practical balance of urban manoeuvrability and interior space, making it suitable for small families and those who need extra cargo capacity without the bulk of a larger SUV.
The Atto 2 is currently available to order.
Electric Cars Australia 2026 Price List
Prices current as of June 2026. For the latest prices of all electric cars available in Australia visit zecar's electric car database.
