Small EVs and kei cars in Australia
Kei cars and micro EVs aren't sold new in Australia. There's no special category for tiny cars here, so every car has to meet the full Australian Design Rules, and car makers say that's too costly for kei cars. You can still buy one as a used import from Japan, including the electric Nissan Sakura, or choose one of the smallest EVs sold new here, like the Honda Super-ONE.
The smallest new EVs you can buy
The shortest electric hatches and SUVs on sale in Australia, with a full factory warranty and local servicing:
| Car | Length | Range (claimed) | From |
|---|---|---|---|
| HondaSuper-ONE | 3.58 m | 202 km | $36,900 |
| Fiat500e | 3.63 m | 311 km | $52,500 |
| Abarth500e | 3.67 m | 253 km | $58,900 |
| HyundaiInster | 3.83 m | 327 km | $37,500 |
| MiniCooper Electric | 3.86 m | 403 km | $53,990 |
| BYDAtto 1 | 3.99 m | 310 km | $19,990 |
| MiniAceman | 4.08 m | 406 km | $55,990 |
| JeepAvenger | 4.08 m | 396 km | $49,990 |
Prices are the lowest version's price, drive-away or plus on-road costs as the maker publishes it. Check with the dealer.
Honda Super-ONE is the closest to a kei car: Honda's city EV is a little bigger than the kei limits, from $36,900 drive-away with a claimed 202 km range (WLTP).
Kei EVs you can import
- Nissan Sakura: Japan's best-selling small EV, 20 kWh, about 180 km on Japan's test. Import specialists list it as eligible under the specialist vehicle scheme.
- Mitsubishi eK X EV: the Sakura's twin. Mitsubishi decided in 2024 not to sell it new here because of the cost of meeting Australian rules. Check import eligibility with a specialist before you buy.
- Other kei EVs, such as Honda's electric N-series: we couldn't confirm they can be imported yet.
Imports have no Australian factory warranty and use Japanese charging plugs. See our Japanese import checklist before you buy.
Why kei cars aren't sold new here
- Size: a kei car is at most 3.4 m long and 1.48 m wide, with a small engine or motor. Japan gives them tax and parking breaks; Australia has no equivalent class.
- Australian Design Rules: every new car must meet our own rules. Mitsubishi said in 2024 that making its eK X EV comply would be "uneconomic", and that Australian type approval can take 18 to 24 months.
- Imports: rules from 2023 let most kei cars in as used imports if they weren't sold new here, but approval for some models was suspended in May 2024. Cars 25 years or older can be imported without the scheme.
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More: questions and more guides
Common questions
Are kei cars legal in Australia?
Yes, as used imports. Most kei cars can be imported under the specialist vehicle scheme if they weren't sold new here, though some models had approval suspended in 2024. None are sold new.
Can I buy a Nissan Sakura in Australia?
Not new, but import specialists bring them in. Expect to charge at home: it uses Japanese charging plugs, and most Australian fast chargers don't fit.
What is the smallest new EV in Australia?
The shortest on sale now is the Honda Super-ONE at 3.58 m long.
Is there a micro EV category in Australia?
No. Unlike Japan or Europe, Australia has no separate category for tiny cars, so every road car must meet the full design rules.
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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 October 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: ACCC capital-city averages, 21 October 2026.
- 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 · 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.