The cheapest electric cars in Australia have never been cheaper, and the sub-$30,000 end of the market has finally arrived properly in 2026. We have lined up the five cheapest EVs you can actually buy today, ranked by starting price, plus a longer list of budget EVs worth a look. One note before we start: we have anchored on each car's advertised starting price and told you whether it is a drive-away figure or a sticker price with on-road costs still to add, because that is the number that decides what you really pay.
1. BYD Atto 1: the cheapest EV in Australia
The BYD Atto 1 is the new price leader, from $23,990 plus on-road costs, and at the time of writing BYD is running a $19,990 drive-away special on the base Essential that makes it the first EV to crack $20,000 on the road. It is a small city hatch, so it is about town driving and easy parking rather than long trips, but as a first EV or a second car it resets what cheap means.
2. Geely EX2: the newcomer that undercuts almost everything
The Geely EX2 lists from $26,490 plus on-road costs, which lands it around $29,800 drive-away, so on the road it runs the Atto 1 close. Geely is new to Australia but arrives with a long warranty and a well-equipped small hatch, and the EX2 is the car that proves the Atto 1 will not have the bargain basement to itself.
3. BYD Dolphin: the value benchmark
The BYD Dolphin starts at $29,990 plus on-road costs and is the car that made cheap EVs credible here. It is a size up from the Atto 1, with a roomier cabin and more range, so it is the pick if you want a genuine small hatch rather than a city runabout, without leaving the bargain end.
4. MG4: the driver's choice at the price
The MG4 now opens at $31,990 drive-away in Urban trim, and that drive-away tag matters, because it is a genuine on-the-road price, not a sticker. The MG4 is the best to drive of the cheap crowd, rear-wheel drive and properly sorted, and the range climbs quickly as you step up the variants.
5. BYD Atto 2: the small SUV shape for small money
The BYD Atto 2 rounds out the five at $31,990 plus on-road costs, and it is the one to look at if you want the higher-riding SUV shape rather than a hatch at this price. It shares the cheap-to-run BYD formula with the Dolphin and Atto 1, in a body more Australians actually want.
The five cheapest, side by side
| EV | From | Basis | Body | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | BYD Atto 1 | $23,990 | plus on-roads ($19,990 drive-away special) | City hatch | | Geely EX2 | $26,490 | plus on-roads (about $29,800 drive-away) | Small hatch | | BYD Dolphin | $29,990 | plus on-roads | Small hatch | | MG4 Urban | $31,990 | drive-away | Small hatch | | BYD Atto 2 | $31,990 | plus on-roads | Small SUV |
Full battery, range and charging specs for each are on the linked model pages, and prices at this end move monthly, so check the current drive-away figure before you buy.
If you want a cheap EV, here are more worth a look
Beyond the five cheapest, this is the wider budget field, roughly in price order:
The GWM Ora from $33,990 drive-away is a retro-styled hatch with plenty of standard kit.
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The Hyundai Inster from $39,000 plus on-road costs brings established-brand backing and a genuinely clever little cabin.
The BYD Atto 3 from $41,990 plus on-road costs is the roomier family small SUV in the BYD range, now in updated Evo form.
The Geely EX5 from $41,990 plus on-road costs is a value small SUV with a long warranty.
The MG S5 EV from $42,990 drive-away is MG's small electric SUV, the roomier companion to the MG4.
The Kia EV3 from $46,990 drive-away is the pick if you will stretch the budget for polish, range and a seven year warranty.
How to choose
If outright price is everything, the BYD Atto 1 wins, especially on that drive-away special. If you want the cheapest on the road from a fresh challenger, the Geely EX2 is right there. For a proper small hatch the Dolphin is the safe value pick, the MG4 is the one to drive, and the Atto 2 gives you the SUV shape. Spend a bit more and the Ora, Inster and Kia EV3 add space, brand backing or polish. For the full budget list see our cheapest EVs in Australia guide, and for the small electric SUV angle our best small SUVs guide.
