LDV eT60 vs BMW i3
Two electric cars go head to head. Which EV is the better buy for Australian drivers in 2026?
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Track the LDV eT60 & BMW i3
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Price Breakdown
The LDV eT60 starts from $99,990 before on-road costs, while the BMW i3 opens at $109,900. That makes the LDV eT60 the more affordable entry point by $9,910.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $109,989 and $120,890 respectively.
Both models qualify for Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) exemption, which is a significant advantage for salary-sacrificed novated leases. Depending on your tax bracket, this can save $5,000-$15,000+ per year compared to an equivalent ICE vehicle.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Charging Times
How long each takes to charge — from a household power point to ultra-rapid DC — estimated from battery size and max charge rates.
How long to charge
88.6kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 80kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (11kW AC, 80kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
How long to charge
108.7kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 400kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (7.4kW AC, 400kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The LDV eT60 features a 10.3-inch touchscreen, while the BMW i3 gets a 12.3-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The LDV eT60 stands out with Apple CarPlay that you will not find on the BMW i3. The BMW i3 counters with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, head-up display, wireless charging, heated front seats, power tailgate and Harman Kardon audio. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The LDV eT60 uses a Electric Motor producing 130kW and 310Nm of torque, sent through a single-speed fixed gear to a RWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 11 seconds.
The BMW i3 responds with a Electric making 345kW and 645Nm, paired to a auto driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 4.9 seconds.
The BMW i3 has the clear power advantage at 345kW vs 130kW. In the real-world sprint, the BMW i3 is 6.1s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Battery: 88.6kWh (LDV eT60) vs 108.7kWh (BMW i3), giving WLTP ranges of 330km and 460km. DC fast charging peaks at 80kW (LDV eT60) vs 400kW (BMW i3).
Space & Comfort
The LDV eT60 measures 5,365mm long on a 3,155mm wheelbase, 605mm longer than the BMW i3 at 4,760mm (2,897mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the LDV eT60 generally means more rear legroom.
0Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
12.6m diameter
Large
Based on 12.6m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Interactive simulator — U-turns, parking & towing
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns are easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
Large
Needs a 3-point turn (one reverse)
Needs about 10.9 m to swing round without stopping. Road is 9.0 m.
U-turn on a wide street
≥ 10 m — 3-point turn
U-turn on a standard street
7 m — 3-point turn
Standard parking bay
1.9 m wide — fits with room
Tight carpark aisle
6 m — careful, tight swing
Narrow laneway
3.5 m — no room to turn
Turning circle ratings
Standard widths: AU local streets carry ~5.5–7 m of carriageway; main roads ~9–12 m. AS 2890.1 carpark aisles are ~5.8–6.6 m for 90° bays (2.6 m wide × 5.4 m deep).
Road, aisle, swing and off-tracking figures are indicative estimates from the published turning circle. Verify in person before relying on them.
True Cost to Own
Running cost data is not yet available for both models. We will update when figures are confirmed.
Warranty: 5 years / 160,000km (LDV eT60) vs 5 years / 999,999km (BMW i3). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the LDV eT60 if: You want the lower entry price, or prefer LDV's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the BMW i3 if: You prioritise performance, or prefer BMW's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The BMW i3 takes 6 of 7 key spec categories. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, LDV eT60 and BMW i3?
The LDV eT60 is the cheapest at $99,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the BMW i3 by $9,910.
Which has the longest driving range?
The BMW i3 has the most range at 900km (WLTP).
Which charges fastest?
The BMW i3 accepts the highest DC charging at up to 400kW.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
None of LDV eT60 and BMW i3 carry a published ANCAP rating yet — check back as they are tested.
Which can tow the most?
The LDV eT60 has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,000kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The BMW i3 makes the most power at 345kW. The BMW i3 is quickest to 100km/h in 4.9s.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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