Affordable EVs you can buy in Australia in 2026

With petrol prices on the rise, and no sign of that abating anytime soon, more and more Australians are turning to electric vehicles (EVs) as option to keep costs down.

And where EVs once attracted a substantial premium over petrol-powered counterparts, the affordable choices of the former continue to grow in 2026.

Here’s a list of the cars you can buy right now, and new models set to launch during 2026 for those wanting an electric car on a tight budget.

BYD became the brand to beat with the Atto 1. Not just an EV, but Australia’s cheapest EV with a starting price of $23,990 plus on-road costs.

The compact Atto 1 competes with petrol cars like the Suzuki Swift and Mazda 2, not just in terms of size, but also price.

With a 220km range rating from the entry-level Essential, or 310km in the $27,990 Premium, the Atto 1 manages to present like a more expensive car, with an eye-catching design and a range of upmarket features.

Not content to rattle cages in the light car class, BYD has also caused a stir in the small SUV class with the Atto 2.

Starting from under $32,000 before on-road costs, the Atto 2 offers a 345km WLTP driving range rating and a 130kW/290Nm motor.

Sized like a Hyundai Kona, but priced cheaper than even a base-model petrol Hyundai, let alone the electric versions, the Atto 2 offers price parity with established internal combustion competitors.

The BYD Dolphin hatchback arrived as an EV price leader in Australia, but soon sparked a war between direct competitors in its segment.

The two-model Dolphin range offers a choice of entry-level 70kW/180Nm Essential with a 340km driving range rating, or 150kW/310Nm Premium with a 427km range figure.

Pricing starts from $29.990 for the Essential, and 36,990 for the Premium, before on-road costs.

An updated version of the Dolphin has been released in China, but is yet to be seen in Australia. A new-generation model has also been spied testing overseas, and could become a replacement for the current model, but has not yet been confirmed.

The Chery E5 brings a splash of coupe-style drama to the small SUV class, with an entry-level model available from under $40K drive-away.

First launched in Australia as the Chery Omoda E5, a reshuffle of Chery’s naming conventions dropped the ‘Omoda’ moniker, but kept the same size, space, and electric drivetrain.

Starting from $38,990 drive-away, the Chery E5 Urban has a 430km range claim, a 155kW/288Nm motor, and a seven-year, unlimited kilometre vehicle warranty.

GAC may only be a newcomer to the Australian market, but its expertise extends to technical partnerships and vehicle manufacturing for Toyota overseas.

The GAC Aion UT is set to hit the Australian market soon priced from $31,990 before on-road costs, and while it may not be the cheapest in its class, it puts up a solid set of specs.

The Australian line-up will kick off with the 150kW/210Nm front-drive model, with an estimated 410km WLTP driving range, while buyers can also spend $35,990 for the top-spec Luxury grade that adds more modern conveniences.

The Aion UT will be one of a slew of new models from GAC, with 10 models set to arrive over the next five years.

Geely has re-entered the Australian market with a two-car presence in the medium SUV market, but the compact EX2 could open the door to a whole new audience.

For now, the Geely EX2 has only been revealed in its Chinese-market form, where it undercuts the BYD Atto 1 on price.

The rear-wheel drive EX2 offers a traditional five-door hatchback body and sophisticated interior.

Range estimates on lenient Chinese test cycles indicate up to 410km from a single charge for the larger of two batteries available. Bank on something closer to the Atto 1’s 220km and 310km estimates of the Atto 1 if the EX2 lands here.

Exact local timing has yet to be confirmed, but Geely has announced that the EX is a global model, and will make its way to right-hand drive marets like Thailand, meaning an Australian launch may not be far behind.

The GWM Ora small hatch has clocked three years on sale in Australia.

Defined by styling that’s so cute you could just about give it a hug, the Ora also manages to feel spacious and surprisingly premium inside, with a retro-futuristic theme that’s both familiar and a little bit out there.

The Ora Lux and GT both come in under $40K, powered by a 126kW/250Nm with 400km of range in the Lux, or a slightly shorter 380km claim from the sport-styled GT.

Priced from $38,990 drive-away for the Lux or $3000 more for the GT, the Ora is an often-overlooked contender in the small EV race.

The Honda Super-One brings the cute, compact, and upright styling of Japan’s kei car class to Australia as an official import.

Changes to the width and length of the Super-One mean it no longer technically fits the kei rules, and the more powerful 70kW motor exceeds the regulations of its Japanese domestic limits.

Honda hasn't opted to cut corners or costs though. The Super-One will get sporty alloy wheels, an eye-catching widebody styling kit, and a focus on driving dynamics and handling that rivals simply don’t put the same effort into.

Pricing is yet to be confirmed, but the Super-One is expected to squeeze in under $35,000.

Despite its compact size, and city-car leanings, only one variant of the Hyundai Inster sneaks in under the $40K mark.

The entry-level Inster has a 327km WLTP driving range, and a 71kW/147Nm motor.

Its design is bold, and its rugged aesthetic continues inside and out, for anyone that wants to stand out from the pack.

At just 3.8 metres long, the Inster is even smaller than the Hyundai i20 hot hatch it shares showroom space with, but with a more utilitarian approach to cargo carrying and driving dynamics.

From the makers of the Chery E5, the Jaecoo J5 is a little shorter overall, but looks substantial thanks to its more upright stance and almost Range Rover-like styling cues.

A single well-equipped model is priced from $35,990 plus on-road costs, with a $36,990 drive-away launch offer for early adopters.

Driving range is rated at 402km with a 155kW/288Nm motor powering the front wheels.

Inside, you’ll find heated and ventilated seats with electric adjustment, a 13.2-inch infotainment screen, and a full-length panoramic roof with powered sunshade.

Looking like a scaled-down version of Leapmotor’s medium SUV, the C10, the smaller B10 offers the same handsome, minimalist design in a more urban-friendly package.

With a starting price of $37,888 plus on-road costs, the Leapmotor B10 Style offers a 361km WLTP driving range, and a 160kW/240Nm motor. Equipment includes a panoramic roof, wireless phone charger, 14.6-inch touchscreen, and 18-inch alloy wheels.

Drive-away pricing is available for a limited time, from $38,990 drive-away. Leapmotor offers a six-year/150,000km vehicle warranty and an eight-year/160,000km battery warranty.

The current MG 4 range is set to make a small move upmarket, as cheaper models are replaced with the all-new MG 4 Urban.

The new front-wheel drive MG 4 Urban has launched in the UK, giving a glimpse of what to expect from the Corolla-sized hatch when it lands in Australia.

A choice of 43kWh or 54kWh hour batteries will be available with 323km of range for the smaller battery and 415km from the long range model.

The outlook for newcomer Nio is a little less clear. The Firefly small hatch has been confirmed for an Australian debut, but Nio has yet to establish a dealer base or appoint a distributor here.

The striking hatchback is expected to start from around $35,000 when it lands, taking a slightly more premium approach compared to the cheapest EVs on the market.

Overseas specifications pair a 105kW/200Nm rear electric motor with a 41.2kWh battery for a WLTP driving range rating of 320-330km.

Equipment will look more like a luxury car with heated, ventilated and massaging front seats with electric adjustment, faux leather and microfibre trim, 14-speaker audio, and a 13.2-inch touchscreen.

Nio Firefly

Electric Cars Guide

Kez Casey migrated from behind spare parts counters to writing about cars over ten years ago. Raised by a family of automotive workers, Kez grew up in workshops and panel shops before making the switch to reviews and road tests for The Motor Report, Drive and CarAdvice.

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