Which cheap EVs in Australia offer the best range for the money?

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There are now many electric vehicles on the Australian new car market, but which ones offer the greatest driving ranges for the smallest amount of money?

We’ve compiled a list of all the more affordable electric cars money can buy locally – all of which fall under $65K before on-road costs – and compiled them in one list. 

Can any of the cars crack the magic 500km range club but do so in an affordable way? Let’s find out. 

While the broader numbers outlined below are manufacturers’ claim, we’ll also cover off actual real-world ranges for the below vehicles that have been subjected to Chasing Cars’ in-house assessment.   

Pricing is before on-road costs. Battery size is usable. 

Which EV is the best value, and which is not so good?

The standout cars that offer the most range for the smallest amount of money come from MG. The soon-to-land MG4 with its long-range 77kWh battery and $55,990 price tag offers an impressive 530km of claimed range. 

The MG4 long range is the only vehicle on this list to make it into the 500km-plus club. The Cupra Born comes very close, however, with its 77kWh battery and 492km (WLTP) range. 

The Tesla Model 3 standard range in rear-drive form also has an impressive range of 491km (WLTP), but is more expensive at $61,300 before on-road costs. 

Mini and Hyundai on the more expensive side of things 

On the more expensive side of things, cars such as the Mini Cooper SE electric hatch offer little range for a significant amount of coin. 

The Mini has a range of only 203km (WLTP), yet asks over $60,000 for the privilege. The Hyundai Kona electric also nudges close to the $60,000 bracket and offers just over 300km of range. 

See the full list below:

MG ZS EV

Battery size: 49kWh 

Cost: $43,990

Claimed range: 420km (WLTP)

MG MG4 standard range

Battery size: 61.7kWh

Cost: $44,990

Claimed range: 435km (WLTP)

BYD Atto 3 standard range 

Battery size: 49.9kWh

Cost: $48,011

Claimed range: 345km (WLTP)

Nissan Leaf Standard 

Battery size: 39kWh

Cost: $50,990

Claimed range: 270km (WLTP)

BYD Atto 3 extended range 

Battery size: 60kWh usable

Cost: $51,011

Claimed range: 420km (WLTP)

MG MG4 long range

Battery size: 77kWh

Cost: $55,990

Claimed range: 530km (WLTP)

MG ZS EV long range 

Battery size: 68.3kWh

Cost: $55,990

Claimed range: 440km (WLTP)

Hyundai Kona electric standard range  

Battery size: 39.2kWh

Cost: $58,000

Claimed range: 305km (WLTP)

Cupra Born 

Battery size: 77kWh 

Cost: $59,990

Claimed range: 492km (WLTP)

Tesla Model 3 rear drive  

Battery size: 57.5kWh

Cost: $61,300

Claimed range: 491km (WLTP)

Mini Cooper electric hatch

Battery size: 28.9kWh

Cost: $62,825

Claimed range: 203km (WLTP)

Chasing Cars real-world electric range data

During real-world electric range testing conducted at Chasing Cars, we have accurate range results for the following models:

• BYD Atto 3 Extended Range – 366km 
• Cupra Born – 469.51km

Be sure to stay tuned to Chasing Cars for more electric car data as we get more EVs through the garage.