Australia’s Cheapest Electric Cars 2026: Updated Prices, Specs & Best EV Value Picks
Electric cars are finally within reach for more Australian buyers than ever before. Thanks to increasing competition (especially from Chinese brands), improved manufacturing scale, and new models landing on local shores, prices have dipped significantly – with the first sub-$25,000 EV now on sale.
In this DriveWise guide, we break down the top cheapest new electric cars in Australia in 2026, with current drive-away pricing, real-world range, key features, and how they stack up against rivals.
1. BYD Atto 1 Essential - Cheapest EV in Australia
RRP Price: From $23,990 plus on-road costs (premium paint optional $500 extra for anything other than Apricity White)
Drive Away Price: From $26,531.52 (premium paint optional $500 extra for anything other than Apricity White)
Note: Prices calculated using BYD's online price configurator and are correct at time of publishing
Type: City Hatch (Think Honda Jazz/Toyota Yaris size)
Battery Size and Type: 30kWh Lithium-iron Phosphate (LFP) Blade Battery
Charging Speeds: 7kW AC | 65kW DC (10%-80% in 30 mins)
Claimed Range: 220km WLTP | 310km WLTP
Heat Pump? Yes
V2L? Yes
How Long is the BYD Atto 1 Warranty? 6 Year 150,000 KM Warranty plus 8 Year 160,000 KM Battery Warranty. Check further details here.
Is the BYD Atto 1 Safe?: BYD Atto 1 Essential and Premium have both achieved 5 Star ANCAP ratings. View full report here
Why it’s great: The BYD Atto 1 Essential has rewritten the rules for affordability in Australia’s EV market. At around $23,990 plus on-road costs, it undercuts most petrol hatchbacks and makes electric driving accessible to first-time EV buyers. Compact design suits city commuters, and fast DC charging means quick top-ups on the go.
Who it’s for: Urban drivers, budget buyers, daily commuter use.
Would we buy it? Truthfully, no. The range is far too compromised for Australian cities, especially in summer months where personal experience has taught me to expect a 30-40% drop in usable range if the air conditioning is on max to cool down an EV in 35c+ weather (Personal experience in both Atto 3 and Seal Premium).
What would I buy? I would instead opt for the Premium spec for the extra $4,000 (Westpac's online car finance calculator showed the repayment difference of approx. $15 per week between Essential and Premium)
2. BYD Dolphin Essential - The Sensible EV
RRP Price: From $29,990 plus on-road costs (premium paint optional $500 extra for anything other than Ski White)
Drive Away Price: From $32,711.52 (premium paint optional $500 extra for anything other than Ski White)
Note: Prices calculated using BYD's online price configurator and are correct at time of publishing
Type: Small Hatch (Think Mazda 3/Toyota Corolla)
Battery Size and Type: 44.9kWh Lithium-iron Phosphate (LFP) Blade Battery
Charging Speeds: 7kW AC | 60kW DC (10%-80% in 40 mins)
Claimed Range: 340km WLTP for Essential | 427km WLTP for Premium
Heat Pump? Yes
V2L? Yes
How Long is the BYD Dolphin Warranty? 6 Year 150,000 KM Warranty plus 8 Year 160,000 KM Battery Warranty. Check further details here.
Is the BYD Dolphin Safe?: BYD Dolphin Essential and Premium have both achieved 5 Star ANCAP ratings. View full report here
Why it’s Worth it: A five-seat EV with decent practicality, the Dolphin pairs affordable pricing with excellent range for its class. It’s a great all-rounder that competes well with rivals like the GWM Ora and MG4.
Best For: Families, longer commutes, and buyers wanting more range without spending big.
Would we buy it? Yes, regardless of specification, you are getting usable range for a city commuter with weekend adventure capability. However, this time we would recommend the Essential variant, at almost $40,000 drive away for the Premium spec, I would consider other alternatives for that extra 100km of range.
3. BYD Atto 2 Dynamic - Cheapest Electric SUV in Australia
RRP Price: From $31,990 plus on-road costs (premium paint optional $600 extra for anything other than Ski White)
Drive Away Price: From $34,771.52 (premium paint optional $600 extra for anything other than Ski White)
Note: Prices calculated using BYD's online price configurator and are correct at time of publishing
Type: Small SUV (Think Hyundai Kona Electric/MG ZS EV)
Battery Size and Type: 51.13kWh Lithium-iron Phosphate (LFP) Blade Battery
Charging Speeds: 7kW AC | 82kW DC (10%-80% in 38.6 mins)
Claimed Range: 345km WLTP
Heat Pump? Yes
V2L? Yes
How Long is the BYD Atto 2 Warranty? 6 Year 150,000 KM Warranty plus 8 Year 160,000 KM Battery Warranty. Check further details here.
Is the BYD Atto 2 Safe?: BYD Atto 2 Dynamic and Premium are yet to be tested by ANCAP in Australia but we expect 5 Stars inline with their range here in Australia. View other BYD ANCAP scores here
Why It’s Great: If you want a little more space and SUV practicality without a high price tag, the Atto 2 is a good option. Compact, efficient, and packed with modern tech including a responsive touchscreen, makes it an ideal choice for families or buyers who want SUV style on a budget from a company with a proven record of reliability in Australia so far.
Best For: SUV buyers on a budget.
Would we buy it? We are yet to drive the Atto 2, however preliminary inspection of the interior and space, plus having spent almost 50,000km in a range of BYD models so far since the brand's local launch, we have a positive outlook!
4. GWM Ora Lux - The Affordable Fun EV in Australia
RRP Price: Not Published by GWM
Drive Away Price: Current Offer from $33,990 (premium paint optional $595 extra for anything other than Hamilton White with Black Roof)
Note: Prices calculated using GWM's online price configurator and are correct at time of publishing
Type: Small Hatch (Think Toyota Corolla/Hyundai i30)
Battery Size and Type: 57.7kWh Lithium-iron Phosphate (LFP)
Charging Speeds: 11kW AC | 80kW DC (10%-80% in 45 mins)
Claimed Range: 400km WLTP
Heat Pump? Yes
V2L? Yes
How Long is the GWM Ora Warranty? 7 Year Unlimited KM Warranty plus 8 Year Unlimited KM Battery Warranty. Check further details here.
Is the GWM Ora Safe?: GWM Ora has achieved 5 Star ANCAP rating across the range. View full ANCAP report here
Why Consider It: I've always been a fan of the GWM Ora line-up, it brings flavour to an otherwise bland EV world thanks to it's retro styling, a solid range, and respectable safety tech to the table. It’s a strong competitor to the BYD Dolphin, Hyundai Inster and MG MG4 and often a bit cheaper than mid-range EVs from legacy brands like the Kia EV3.
Best For: Style-minded buyers who still want affordability.
Would we buy it? Absolutely, but white with black roof to give it a panda-like vibe. It isn't easy to find fun EVs, so when fun ones come along, they're easy to recommend! Plus GWM has an incredibly well established dealer network which adds to the confidence levels for after sales service and parts vs a 3rd party service network that isn't as well trained to support new cars.
5. Hyundai Inster Base
RRP Price: From $39,000 plus on-road costs (premium paint optional $595 extra for anything other than Atlas White, Natural Ivory, Urban Khaki)
Drive Away Price: Current Offer from $35,990 drive-away (premium paint optional $595 extra for anything other than Atlas White, Natural Ivory, Urban Khaki)
Type: City Car (Think Kia Picanto/Honda Jazz)
Battery Size and Type: 42kWh Lithium-ion (NMC - Nickel Manganese Cobalt)
Charging Speeds: 10.5kW AC | 120kW DC (10%-80% in 30 mins)
Claimed Range: 327km WLTP
Heat Pump? Yes
V2L (Vehicle to Load)? Yes
How Long is the Hyundai Inster Warranty? The standard warranty period is 5 Years/Unlimited Km (exclusions apply including commercial operators), however if owners service their Inster with a Hyundai dealership, they will benefit from a 7 years/Unlimited Km. Read more.
Is the Hyundai Inster Safe?: The Hyundai Inster range scored 4 Stars in ANCAP's testing. View the full ANCAP report here
Why it’s Worth it: The Hyundai Inster offers an affordable entry into electric SUV ownership, combining compact dimensions with modern technology and a higher driving position than traditional hatchbacks. With recent drive-away pricing reductions, it competes closely with other budget EVs while offering strong safety features and everyday practicality.
Best For: Drivers who want different styling, a trusted mainstream brand and a compact EV suited to city and suburban use.
Would we buy it? The peace of mind of Hyundai's Guaranteed Future Value (GFV) will take away the risk of buying a new EV, removing the unknown of the resale value. The car itself was fun, roomy and versatile, and it is rare that I see many small cars with more than 2 people in them, let alone with 5 so I think the 4 seat setup of the Inster helps deliver maximum space for occupants. Their extensive and reputable dealer network is another major green flag for Hyundai, however it is disappointing to see it earn less than 5 stars with ANCAP for a market leading brand.
EV Prices vs Traditional Cars
For the first time, electric cars in Australia have reached price points that are competitive with petrol models on offer, though I will stop short of using terms like price-parity or comparable prices, because while the car might be priced similar, the range is well and truly not comparable. The BYD Atto 1’s sub-$25k pricing is competitive to popular petrol hatchbacks such as the Kia Picanto or MG MG3, effectively removing a major affordability barrier for EV adoption, but with a limitation of range vs the petrol equivalents that can achieve 3-4x the range.
Tips Before You Buy
Drive-away pricing matters: Always compare drive-away prices (including on-road costs) – not just the MSRP.
Range vs Use: Choose range based on your daily driving habits. Don’t overspend on range you’ll rarely use, but don’t underbuy if you plan regular trips.
Incentives & Deals: Federal and state incentives, novated lease benefits and dealer promotions can further reduce cost, often making higher range models the better choice.
2026 EV Market Outlook
Despite stronger competition and compelling pricing, buyer interest in EVs in Australia has cooled somewhat due to cost concerns and uncertainty around battery longevity. However, the market continues to expand, with used EVs gaining traction and dozens of new models expected to land in the next 12 months making it a buyer-focused time.
Table: Top 5 Cheapest Electric Cars in Australia (Current Drive-Away Pricing)
| Rank | Model | Drive-Away Price (Rounded) | Battery Size (kWh) | WLTP Range | DC Fast Charging* | Vehicle Warranty | Battery Warranty | Key Strength |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BYD Atto 1 Essential | From $26,532 | 30kWh | 210km | Up to 65 kW | 6 yrs / 150,000km | 8 yrs / 160,000km | Cheapest EV available |
| 2 | BYD Dolphin Essential | From $32,712 | 44.9kWh | 340km | Up to 60kW | 6 yrs / 150,000km | 8 yrs / 160,000km | Best balance of price & range |
| 3 | BYD Atto 2 Dynamic | From $34,772 | 51.13kWh | 345km | Up to 82kW | 6 yrs / 150,000km | 8 yrs / 160,000 km | Cheapest electric SUV |
| 4 | GWM Ora Lux | From $33,990 | 57.7kWh | 400km | Up to 80kW | 7 yrs / unlimited km | 8 yrs / Unlimited km | Stylish, fun & well-priced EV |
| 5 | Hyundai Inster Base | From $35,990 | 42kWh | 327km | Up to 120kW | 5 yrs / unlimited km | 8 yrs / 160,000km | Established safe bet. |
Notes
- DC fast-charging figures are peak rates and vary by battery size, temperature and charger type.
- Pricing shown is indicative drive-away pricing at time of publishing and may vary by state or dealer.
- This list is ranked by current drive-away affordability; models may move in or out as pricing changes.