Electric cars under $40,000 in Australia
15 electric cars have a version priced under $40,000 in Australia (November 2026). Over 5 years the cheapest to own is the BYD Atto 1 Essential at about $29,146 all in, or $27.52 a week to run. The cheapest to buy is the BYD Atto 1 Essential ($19,990 drive-away, offer), and the longest range is the GWM Ora 5 Lux at 430 km.
Every EV under $40,000, cheapest to own first
Each car's best-value version priced under $40,000 (the list price; drive-away where the maker quotes it that way). Tap a car for its full costs in your state.
Right: 5-year cost to own (price with on-road costs, home charger for EVs, charging or fuel, servicing and tyres), then the weekly running cost. 250 km a week in NSW.
- 1BYD Atto 1Electric$19,990 drive-away, offer · 220 km · Essential$29,146$27.52/wk to run
- 2BYD DolphinElectric$28,888 drive-away, offer · 340 km · Essential$38,141$27.90/wk to run
- 3Geely EX2Electric$26,490 + on-roads · 252 km · Complete$39,523$27.05/wk to run
- 4MG MG4Electric$31,990 drive-away · 316 km · Urban 43$42,474$32.63/wk to run
- 5GWM Ora 5Electric$33,990 drive-away · 430 km · Lux$43,376$28.41/wk to run
- 6Hyundai InsterElectric$35,990 drive-away, offer · 327 km · Standard Range$44,497$25.03/wk to run
- 7GAC Aion UTElectric$31,990 + on-roads · 430 km · Premium$45,160$27.58/wk to run
- 8Jaecoo J5 EVElectric$36,990 drive-away · 402 km · Track$45,284$24.21/wk to run
- 9GWM OraElectric$35,990 drive-away · 400 km · Lux$45,361$28.35/wk to run
- 10Honda Super-ONEElectric$36,900 drive-away · 202 km · Super-ONE$45,492$25.35/wk to run
Show 5 more EVs
- 11BYD Atto 2Electric$31,990 + on-roads · 345 km · Dynamic$45,721$29.74/wk to run
- 12Chery E5Electric$37,990 drive-away · 430 km · Ultimate$46,576$25.33/wk to run
- 13Forthing Taikon 5Electric$38,990 drive-away · 427 km · Luxury$48,434$28.63/wk to run
- 14Leapmotor B05Electric$35,888 + on-roads · 401 km · Style$49,082$27.67/wk to run
- 15Leapmotor B10Electric$37,888 + on-roads · 361 km · Style$50,936$27.11/wk to run
"Offer" prices are time-limited deals; the car's own page has the end date and usual price.
Best picks by body type
- Cheapest SUV to own: GWM Ora 5 Lux, $43,376 over 5 years
- Cheapest hatch to own: BYD Atto 1 Essential, $29,146 over 5 years
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Calculators for this
Common questions
What is the cheapest electric car under $40,000?
The cheapest to buy is the BYD Atto 1 Essential at $19,990 drive-away, offer. The cheapest to own over 5 years is the BYD Atto 1 Essential, at about $29,146 including on-road costs, a home charger, charging, servicing and tyres.
Which EV under $40,000 has the longest range?
The GWM Ora 5 Lux, with a claimed 430 km (WLTP). Expect less at highway speeds and in cold weather.
How many electric cars are under $40,000 in Australia?
15 models have at least one version priced under $40,000 (November 2026), plus 24 hybrids and plug-in hybrids if you don't need a full EV.
Do these prices include on-road costs?
Prices are as the maker quotes them: some are drive-away, most are before on-road costs. Our 5-year cost adds an estimated $4,000 of on-road costs where needed, so the cars can be compared fairly.
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How we work it out, and our sources
Weekly cost = the car's energy use × 250 km × your electricity or fuel price, with 90% of charging at home. Prices are list prices at November 2026; check with the dealer.
- Electricity: 2026–27 default rates (AER, Victorian Default Offer, state retailers). Public charging: Sydney network prices, July 2026.
- Petrol and diesel: capital-city daily averages from state government price feeds, via FuelRadar, 12 November 2026. Diesel for Hobart, Canberra and Darwin is estimated from the national fall.
- Cars: maker figures via CarExpert, Drive, CarsGuide and EV Central. Plug-in electric range is taken as 80% of the claim.
- Servicing: published capped prices; marked as an estimate where not yet published (CarExpert comparison).
- Tyres: an EV set lasts about 35,000 km, a petrol or hybrid set 50,000 km (RACV); prices from Gridly.
- Home charger: about $2,000 installed ($1,000–$3,000). Novated leases: PwC summary.
Printed from EV Pick Australia · evpick.com.au. Prices and costs are estimates; check with the dealer. © 2026 EV Pick (T. Crouch). For personal use only; not to be copied, republished or sold without permission.
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