The 2022 MG ZS EV. LHD model shown. Source: MG
Chinese carmaker MG says it has sold 200 of its refreshed 2022 MG ZS EVs in the first week on sale, signalling the growing appetite for more affordable electric vehicles in Australia even amid increasing costs.
MG announced alongside new specifications a pricing increase of $2,000 in early March for its MG ZS EV, bringing its starting price to $46,990 drive-away for the entry-level Excite model.
It is also available in the Essence grade for $49,990 drive-away, and although it no longer holds the official title of Australia’s most affordable EV (that having gone to the BYD Atto 3 just weeks prior), it is one of a handful of EVs available locally for under $50,000.
In fact, it is also one of a few now eligible for the new Queensland EV rebate introduced on Wednesday.
Unlike NSW, Victoria and South Australia which have set thresholds at $68,750 or under, Queensland has set a low threshold of $58,000, which excludes all Tesla models but includes the likes of the Nissan Leaf, Hyundai Kona EV and Ioniq fastback, the BYD Atto 3, the Renault Kangoo ZE and of course the MG ZS EV.
Both MG ZS EV grades come with a 51kWh lithium-iron phosphate battery that is nickel and cobalt free, and which offers 320km driving range (WLTP). Although MG has ruled out a long-range version for the time being in Australia, it appears happy with the take-up of the shorter-range options.
MG Motor Australia and New Zealand CEO, Peter Ciao said that with 200 of the $500 rebates for 7kW single-phase Chargehub units now taken up, there are still 300 left up for grabs.
And, with the Victorian ZEV subsidy now extended to a further 2,400 applicants, “The combination of the incentive and the rebate on our brand new MG ChargeHub wallbox means that people considering the switch to EV are able to do so more affordably,” Ciao said.
The MG ZS EV comes with a seven-year unlimited kilometre warranty for both vehicle and battery, and you can read more about the specifications for both the Excite and Essence grades here.
This article has been edited for clarity on the $500 rebate for Chargehub wall units.
Bridie Schmidt is associate editor for The Driven, sister site of Renew Economy. She has been writing about electric vehicles since 2018, and has a keen interest in the role that zero-emissions transport has to play in sustainability. She has participated in podcasts such as Download This Show with Marc Fennell and Shirtloads of Science with Karl Kruszelnicki and is co-organiser of the Northern Rivers Electric Vehicle Forum. Bridie also owns a Tesla Model Y and has it available for hire on evee.com.au.
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