Cheapest Electric Cars in Australia (2026): Top 10 EVs Ranked

BYD Atto 1 (cheapest EV in Australia 2026). Image credit: BYD Australia

Electric cars in Australia have never been cheaper. A wave of new Chinese brands arrived through 2025 and into 2026 forcing the established players to respond, and the result is a genuinely competitive sub-$40K EV market for the first time. The cheapest electric car in Australia now starts from just over $27,000 driveaway.

Below are the 10 cheapest EVs you can buy in Australia right now, ranked by entry-level driveaway price. Drive-away figures are NSW unless otherwise noted, since stamp duty rules vary by state.

The 10 cheapest EVs at a glance

1. BYD Atto 1: from $27,097 driveaway

Image credit: BYD Australia

The BYD Atto 1 is now Australia's cheapest electric car, and that alone makes it worth paying attention to. Starting from $27,097 driveaway in NSW, it undercuts almost everything else on sale, including BYD's own Dolphin. While it is clearly built as a budget-first EV, it does not feel like a bare-bones penalty box.

The entry Essential gives you around 220km of real-world usable range, which is just enough for commuting, school runs and daily driving. Step up to the Premium and you get a bigger battery, more power and a much more comfortable 310km range, which makes it far easier to live with as your only car.

It is more practical than you might expect with a decent boot, fold-flat rear seats and handy features like vehicle-to-load if you want to power devices on the go. Add wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and it ticks the key boxes most buyers actually care about.

Atto 1 verdict

It is not built for long-distance road trips, but as a cheap, easy-to-live-with city EV nothing else comes close at this price.

2. MG4 EV Urban: from $31,990 driveaway

Image credit: MG Australia

The MG4 EV Urban arrives at $31,990 driveaway for the 43 kWh entry, undercutting the BYD Dolphin. This is a bigger car than the name suggests. The Urban measures 4,395mm long with a 2,750mm wheelbase: 108mm longer and 45mm taller than the regular MG4. It is built on MG's new E3 platform with a torsion-beam rear suspension setup.

Boot capacity sits at 382 litres rising to 1,266 litres with the rear seats folded, which is a serious number for this price bracket. The long-range 54 kWh variant claims up to 405km WLTP. MG's 10-year conditional warranty applies to both, the strongest cover in the affordable EV segment.

MG4 Urban verdict

The one most buyers should seriously consider. Better range, more space and a more usable all-round package than the cheapest EVs.

3. GAC Aion UT: from $32,990 driveaway

Image credit: GAC Aion Australia

The GAC Aion UT is one of the most interesting new arrivals in the affordable EV space, and it is already getting a lot of attention. Now priced from $32,990 driveaway, it brings seriously strong numbers for the money. A claimed 430km WLTP range and a 150 kW motor put it right at the top of this segment on paper.

It does not feel like a stripped-out budget option either. The cabin is roomy for its size, there is a usable 321-litre boot, and it comes well equipped across the range. GAC is also one of China's largest automotive groups, giving it a more established corporate foundation than many of the newer entrants flooding into Australia.

Aion UT verdict

Huge range and performance for the money make this hard to ignore, and a serious disruptor in the budget EV segment.

4. BYD Dolphin: from $33,277 driveaway

Image credit: BYD Australia

The BYD Dolphin was Australia's cheapest EV until the Atto 1 arrived, and it still represents exceptional value. The entry Essential offers enough range for everyday use, while stepping up to the Premium brings a noticeable jump in both performance and range, making it more flexible beyond just city driving.

It feels like a complete package. The interior is well finished, the tech is easy to live with, and features like the large rotating touchscreen and BYD's Blade Battery tech help it stand out at this price. For most buyers wanting a practical electric hatchback without spending big, the Dolphin remains one of the safest choices in the market.

Dolphin verdict

A safe, well-rounded choice in the affordable EV space with proven tech, solid range and strong everyday usability, even as newer rivals push the value further.

5. GWM Ora 5: from $33,990 driveaway

Image credit: GWM Australia

The GWM Ora 5 stands out as one of the more distinctive options in the affordable EV space. The retro-inspired exterior gives it real personality, something a lot of cars in this segment lack, and it helps the Ora feel a bit different from the usual budget EV formula.

Underneath, it delivers usable range of up to 430km on the Lux trim, with enough performance for everyday driving. It is easy to live with too. The cabin is surprisingly spacious for its size, it is well equipped, and features like a heat pump and vehicle-to-load add to its everyday appeal.

Ora 5 verdict

A well-equipped option with strong range and character, though the entry-level rivals from BYD and MG now offer sharper value or more space for similar money.

6. BYD Atto 2: from $35,337 driveaway

Image credit: BYD Australia

The BYD Atto 2 sits just above the cheapest EVs, offering a more polished and better-equipped package without moving too far up in price. It does not try to reinvent anything. It just builds on what BYD already does well: more performance, more range and a nicer interior than the entry-level options, making it easier to live with day to day.

It is not dramatically bigger than the smaller hatchbacks but does feel like a step up in overall refinement and usability. For buyers who want something a bit more complete without jumping straight into $40K-plus territory, the Atto 2 makes sense.

Atto 2 verdict

A more refined and better-equipped alternative to the cheapest EVs with stronger performance and range, though it starts to push beyond true budget pricing.

7. Jaecoo J5 EV: from $36,990 driveaway

Image credit: Jaecoo Australia

The Jaecoo J5 EV is the wildcard on this list, and one of the most interesting options if you want more than just a small hatch. For the money this feels like a proper SUV. You get a 58.9 kWh battery, up to 402km of WLTP range and a 155 kW motor. More importantly, you get space, presence and a much more substantial car overall.

Inside it is well equipped: a large touchscreen, panoramic roof and a clean modern layout. It does not feel like a budget EV, which is the point. At $36,990 driveaway this is where the conversation shifts from "cheap EV" to "genuinely good car for the money."

J5 EV verdict

A lot more car for the money, with strong range, solid performance and real SUV practicality. One of the most compelling step-up options from the cheapest EVs.

8. Hyundai Inster: from $38,990 driveaway

Image credit: Hyundai Australia

The Hyundai Inster is one of the more interesting new arrivals in the affordable EV space, and one of the few from a mainstream non-Chinese brand at this price. The Standard Range uses a 42 kWh battery for around 327km of WLTP range. The Long Range stretches that to 360km. It is also one of the few EVs here that actually feels fun to drive around town.

There are trade-offs. It is a four-seater rather than five, and it is clearly designed with urban use in mind. The interior is well thought out, it is packed with Hyundai's SmartSense safety tech and the brand's 5-year warranty applies, and it is easy to live with day to day.

Inster verdict

A clever, characterful city EV with strong safety tech and Hyundai backing. At $38,990 driveaway it is no longer the budget pick it was at launch, and rivals at this price now offer significantly more space.

9. Chery E5: from $38,990 driveaway

Image credit: Chery Australia

The Chery E5 brings proper SUV practicality to the affordable end of the EV market, with more space and presence than the hatchbacks that dominate this list. Under the skin it runs a 61 kWh battery paired with a 150 kW motor for a claimed 430km of WLTP range, right up there with the strongest performers at this price.

Inside it is clean and well equipped with dual screens and a modern layout that feels more premium than you might expect. It feels like a genuine step up in size and usability over the cheaper options here. It is not the most polished or engaging EV on the list, but if you are prioritising space, range and value, it makes a strong case.

E5 verdict

Strong on space and range for the money, a solid SUV option for buyers stepping up from smaller EVs.

10. MG4 EV (MY26): from $39,990 driveaway

Image credit: MG Australia

The MY26 MG4 EV has just landed and it is a meaningful step up over the model it replaces, though the price has moved with it. The lineup is simpler now too. There is the rear-wheel drive Essence 64 at $39,990 driveaway with up to 452km of WLTP range, and the all-wheel drive XPOWER at $47,990 with a 0-100km/h time of 3.8 seconds.

The biggest change is inside. The MY26 picks up the new design language from the MGS5 EV with a 12.8-inch centre touchscreen, a 10.25-inch driver display, physical buttons for climate and volume, heated front seats and a heated steering wheel. It still rides on MG's dedicated EV platform with 50:50 weight distribution and a proper multi-link rear suspension setup, so the driving feel that made the original stand out is still very much there.

At $39,990 driveaway it has clearly stepped out of true budget territory and now sits closer to mid-market rivals.

MG4 (MY26) verdict

Still one of the most enjoyable EVs to drive at this price, and the cabin is much improved, but the price jump means it no longer wears the value crown it once did.

Our take

The BYD Atto 1 is now the cheapest electric car in Australia, and if your driving is mostly city-based it is the easiest entry point into EV ownership right now. For most buyers though, the sweet spot sits a little higher.

The MG4 EV Urban stands out as the best all-round affordable EV in 2026, with more range, more space and a more complete package without stretching too far beyond $30K driveaway. If maximum range matters, the GAC Aion UT delivers some of the strongest numbers in this segment at a competitive price. If you want SUV practicality, stepping up to the Jaecoo J5 EV or Chery E5 gives you significantly more space and usability without blowing the budget.

At this end of the market the differences come down to how you actually use the car, whether that is city commuting, longer trips or family duties. It is worth comparing real driveaway pricing, range and availability before making a call.

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