The Cheapest Electric Car or SUV You Can Buy in Australia Right Now.

You want to know the cheapest electric car or SUV you can buy in Australia right now? You’ve come to the right place. 

The market’s moving fast, so don’t be shocked if prices have changed by the time you finish reading. But as of today, (May 25, 2025) here’s the real story on affordable electric vehicles—no sugar-coating, no marketing fluff.

The 2025 Price War: EVs Are Finally Affordable

Remember when buying an electric car meant selling a kidney? Not anymore. Thanks to a price bloodbath in 2025, EVs are finally within reach for regular Aussies. BYD, MG, and GWM have gone to war, slashing prices and forcing the rest of the industry to wake up. Forget the $60k Teslas—now you can get an electric hatch or SUV for the price of a top-spec Corolla. That’s not a typo. That’s progress.

What’s the Cheapest Electric Car in Australia Right Now?

Here’s the headline: The BYD Dolphin Essential is the cheapest electric car in Australia, starting from $29,990 plus on-road costs, or about $32,138 drive-away for Victorian buyers. 

That’s a game-changer. For the first time, you can buy a brand-new EV for less than thirty grand before on-roads. The Dolphin isn’t some stripped-out tin can either—it’s got a 340km to 427km range (depending on variant), decent tech, and a warranty that won’t leave you stranded.

The Top 5 Cheapest Electric Cars in Australia (May 2025)

Model	Drive-away Price (Vic)	Range (WLTP)
BYD Dolphin Essential	$32,138	340–427 km
GWM Ora Standard	$33,990	310 km
MG4 Excite 51	$34,990	350 km
Nissan Leaf	$34,990	270 km
MG ZS EV Excite	$36,990	320 km

Don’t let anyone tell you EVs are still for the rich. These prices are on par with—and in some cases lower than—top-spec petrol hatchbacks and small SUVs.

Cheapest Electric SUV in Australia: The New King

If you want an electric SUV, the MG S5 EV Excite is the new price leader, launching at $40,490 drive-away. The MG ZS EV Excite is right behind at $36,990, but the S5 is the one to watch as it replaces the ZS and brings more kit for less coin.

Cheapest Electric SUVs (May 2025)

Model	Drive-away Price	Range (WLTP)
MG ZS EV Excite	$36,990	320 km
MG S5 EV Excite	$40,490	410 km
Chery Omoda E5	$40,527	430 km
BYD Atto 3	$42,558	345–420 km

Why Are Prices So Low? And Will They Last?

Competition. Plain and simple. Chinese brands like BYD, MG, and GWM are flooding the market, forcing everyone else to cut prices or get left behind. Add government incentives and novated lease deals, and you’ve got a perfect storm for bargain hunters. But don’t get comfortable—these deals change fast. If you see a price that works for you, grab it. Tomorrow it could be gone.

Which brand would you trust most for your first cheap electric car?

• 0%BYD
• 0%MG
• 0%GWM
• 0%Other

You can vote for more than one answer.

Don’t Be Fooled: Cheap Doesn’t Mean Rubbish

These cars aren’t junk. The BYD Dolphin, MG4, and GWM Ora all come with solid warranties (seven years or more), decent tech, and safety features that would’ve been luxury just a few years back. Build quality? It’s caught up fast. 

Aftersales support? 

Much better than the early days. You’re not getting a second-rate car—you’re getting a real EV for real money.

The Blunt Verdict

• The BYD Dolphin Essential is the cheapest electric car in Australia right now. Full stop.

• Want an SUV? The MG ZS EV Excite and MG S5 EV Excite are your budget winners.

• Prices are the lowest they’ve ever been, but don’t expect them to stay there.

• These aren’t just cheap—they’re good. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

If you’re still waiting for EVs to get affordable, wake up—they already are. Get in, or get left behind.

Drive Change. Drive Electric