Surprisingly affordable EVs under $70k

Perks of going electric

We all know where the car industry is headed. The EV transition is in full swing, but you don’t need to drop six figures on a luxury vehicle to be part of it. With plenty of EVs under $70k (we’ll share our top picks below), you’ll benefit from the many perks of ditching petrol or diesel.

• Save almost $5k every year in fuel – According to the latest AAA Transport Affordability Index report, the average two-car household pays $4,940 in fuel every year.
• Don’t stress about stamp duty – To encourage more people to invest in EVs, almost all state governments are waiving or discounting stamp duty.
• Fancy a rebate? – As of September 2023, New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia are offering cash rebates of up to $3,500 for certain types of EVs. 

Australia’s top EVs under $70k

BYD Dolphin

Sparky, sporty and perfect for EV enthusiasts on a budget, the BYD Dolphin is already making waves as the cheapest EV in Australia. But don’t let the price point fool you – this fully-electric hatchback is still kitted out with all the bells and whistles. 

• Price: From $38,890
• Range: 410 km (Dynamic), 490 km (premium)
  
• Things we love: Wireless phone charging, 360-degree camera suite and four flashy colours to help you make a statement.
  

GWM Ora

Dubbed the perfect vehicle for inner city driving, the Ora is a sleek compact EV that could even be described as, dare we say, retro. The design favours classic, sophisticated lines and modern fixtures but the headlines are just one element that give it an endearing old-timey charm. 

• Price: From $39,990
• Range: 310km (Dynamic), 490 km (premium)
  
• Things we love: Wireless phone charging, safety features like blind spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control and, honestly, it’s just damn cute.
  

MG4

A solid choice for those looking for a cheap EV, the MG4 range has four models, all coming in under $60,000. The lead-in model Excite 51 has all the style of a sports car without the price tag – and it’s available in some seriously fun colours (Volcano Orange is our pick!).

• Price: From $40,287
• Range: 350 km (Dynamic), 490 km (premium)
  
• Things we love: Reverse camera, keyless entry and electric outside mirrors with a heating function to manage the morning frost without freezing your fingers off. 
  

BYD Atto 3

Sleek, sporty and one of the most affordable EVs in Australia, BYD’s Atto 3 SUV is a great option if you’re on a budget. It won Drive Car of the Year 2023 as the Best EV under $70k and the Extended Range option covers almost 500 km on a full charge. 

• Price: From $44,400
• Range: 410 km (Standard Range), 480 km (Extended Range)
  
• Things we love: Built-in safety features like lane departure warning and intelligent cruise control, 8-year battery warranty, and collapsible back seats for oodles of boot space. 
  

MG ZS

MG’s ZS range is a step up from the MG4 range with a bit more room in the cabin. It’s a small SUV, which could suit families better than the hatch. The MG ZS reaches a full charge in under 7 hours and has three driving modes: eco, normal and sport.

• Price: From $45,287
• Range: 320km 
  
• Things we love: Push-to-start, built-in navigation on a colour touch screen and a 360 View Camera for easy parking. 
  

Fiat 500e

This European classic has been electrified, hitting Australian roads as one of the most affordable EVs in 2023. The standout feature is the one pedal operation – when you take your foot off the accelerator, the car automatically slows down, then converts and recovers kinetic energy to generate electric power and recharge the battery. Smart, huh?

• Price: From $52,500
• Range: 311 km 
  
• Things we love: Panoramic fixed glass roof, heated front seats and safety features like traffic sign recognition and 360-degree parking sensors.
  

Nissan Leaf

Another new EV embracing the one pedal technology, the Nissan leaf has been on the scene since 2019. This zippy front-wheel drive hatchback reaches 20-80% charge in just 60 minutes with a standard rapid charger and has a range of up to 385 km in the premium Leaf+ model (which slides in under the $70k mark, starting from $64,050).

• Price: From $53,550
• Range: 270km (Leaf), 385 km (Leaf+)
  
• Things we love: Intelligent Around View Monitor with Moving Object Detection, Bose 7-speaker sound system and, of course, heated seats.
  

Cupra Born

A relative newcomer to Australian roads, the Cupra Born is a sleek EV that looks and performs like a sports car without the exorbitant price tag. Loaded with safety features, including adaptive cruise control and exit warning, this EV is hot on the heels of the Tesla Model 3 in terms of its potential. 

• Price: From $59,990
• Range: 511km 
  
• Things we love: Panoramic infotainment system, clever Park Assist technology and Seaqual Bucket Seats made from plastic waste extracted from the ocean. 
  

Tesla Model 3

The Tesla Model 3 is probably the first car that springs to mind when you think of an EV. It’s currently the most popular and one of the best EVs in Australia with a range that gives its competitors a run for their money. Tesla’s extensive network of chargers make it an attractive choice for drivers in and outside the cities. 

• Price: From $61,900
• Range: 513 km (Rear-Wheel Drive model), 629 km (Long Range AWD model)
  
• Things we love: Different modes, like Dog Mode to keep your pets comfy and Sentry mode to be notified about potential nearby threats, remote access from your phone and insanely fast charging – 15 minutes at a Superchargers gives you an additional 282km of range. Not bad!
  

All-new Hyundai Kona Electric

Hyundai has electrified its popular urban-centric small SUV and created a stylish, spacious and oh-so-affordable EV that punches above its weight in terms of performance. The all-new Kona range will include both a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and fully electric (EV) version. Production is set to begin in late 2023/early 2024.

• Price: To be announced
• Range: 342 km (Standard Range), 490 km (Long Range)
  
• Things we love: New, futuristic design, loads of boot space and autonomous braking. 
  

Mazda MX-30 Electric

Mazda’s first all-electric vehicle shows great promise with all the style and craftsmanship the brand is so famous for. While the range isn’t as competitive as other EVs in its class, you can add an extra 150 km on with just 60 minutes of charging.

• Price: From $65,490
• Range: 224 km 
  
• Things we love: Keyless entry, emergency brake assist, heated seats and a glass sunroof. 
  

Polestar 2

Body: A sleek and somewhat quiet achiever, the Polestar 2 is a recent addition to Australia’s EV market. Those who appreciate sleek, minimalistic design will love this EVs clean lines and metallic-inspired colour range. 

• Price: From $66,999
• Range: 532 km (Standard range), 654 km (Long range)
  
• Things we love: Loads of design options to customise your ride, adaptive high beam and battery-minded route planning that helps you get the most out of every charge.
  

MINI Cooper SE Electric Hatch

Reaching the upper end of our $70k price cap, the all-electric MINI Cooper SE Hatch is nothing short of iconic. Embracing the classic style of its beloved MINI Cooper range, this funky EV gives you that go-kart driving experience without the emissions. 

• Price: From $69,800
• Range: 233 km 
  
• Things we love: Charges to 80% in just 36 minutes, adaptive cruise control and MINI app that tells you everything from charging status to whether or not the doors are locked. 
  

Other affordable EVs worth considering

Tesla Model Y

A stylish step up from the Tesla Model 3 with up to 514 km range per charge. From $72,300.

Kia Niro

A strong contender for best EV SUV in Australia, Niro travels up to 460 km in a single charge. From $72,300.

Kia EV6

Another feather in Kia’s cap, the EV6 has a range of 528 km and took home multiple ‘Car of the Year’ awards in 2022. From $72,590.

Volvo XC40 Recharge

This stylish compact SUV gives you a range of up to 500km, reaching 10-80% charge in just 27 minutes. From $72,990.

Hyundai Ioniq

With three models to choose from, you’ll get at least 454 km range and fast-charging to 10-80% in 18 minutes. From $74,000.

^{All vehicle information is taken from respective manufacturer websites.}