Source: Tesla
Last week we published the best electric vehicle buys under $30,000, and now we examine what you can get if your budget stretches to include anything below $40,000. Instead of being limited to second-hand cars, a bigger budget opens the door to no less than 7 brand new EV models.
The order will change as discounts come and go, but Australia’s cheapest new electric vehicles are currently:
BYD Dolphin starting from $29,990 plus on-road costs;
GWM Ora ($33,990 driveaway);
MG MG4 ($34,990 driveaway);
Nissan Leaf ($34,990 driveaway);
MG ZS EV ($36,990 driveaway);
Chery Omoda E5 ($36,990);
and the BYD Atto 3 ($39,990).
This list should grow longer as a few new affordable models are expected to arrive later this year, including the GAC Aion UT and Leapmotor T03 hatchbacks, Hyundai’s Inster compact SUV and possibly the Leapmotor B10 if price rumours are correct.
An extra $10,000 also expands the second-hand options greatly, with Carsales showing more than twice as many used EV listings in the $30,000 – $40,000 price range (350 cars) compared to only 150 cars less than $30,000. Model choice also doubles with 23 different models available vs only 11 under $30,000.
Model years:
Price range: $32,000 – $40,000
Used EV listings in this price bracket are dominated by the Tesla Model 3, which makes sense given it was Australia’s best selling electric vehicle when it arrived in 2019 until the Model Y surpassed it in 2023.
The underlying drivetrain technology, ownership experience and Supercharger access for Tesla vehicles makes the Model 3 a compelling choice among electric vehicles that are out today, particularly with second-hand examples readily available from around $32,000.
Most used Model 3s are of the Standard Range or Rear-Wheel Drive variety, but there are several Long Range and even a few Performance variants. Model 3 Performance is still one of the quickest EVs out there, and sold for around $100,000 at its peak in mid-2020, so one of these is great bang for your buck at under $40,000.
Some of the other highlights I came across were a 2020 Standard Range Plus in great condition with just over 12,000 km on the odometer. If you are looking for something a bit newer with some of Tesla’s 4 year vehicle warranty remaining, there are 2022 models with less than 30,000 km on them too.
Tesla continues to release fairly regular OTA software updates, bringing new features and bug fixes to even the oldest Model 3s. A few of the used examples I came across were advertised with Enhanced Autopilot, which includes auto lane change, auto park and vehicle summon.
One Model 3 also included the Full Self-Driving (FSD) package, but Tesla recently admitted that older vehicles with hardware 3 (HW3) will be unable to reach the unsupervised self-driving stage. This fact along with several years of empty promises around FSD timelines means you should probably not place too much additional value on the FSD software.
Model years: 2015 – 2017
Price range: $35,000 – $40,000
If you are looking for a used Tesla and want something bigger than the Model 3, several Model S are listed between $35,000 and $40,000. Generally, longer range vehicles with 85 or 90 kWh batteries are the pre-facelifted version with the fake grille in the front bumper.
Model S received a facelift in 2017 which replaced the fake grille with a smooth front bumper. Another factor to keep in mind with these older Model S is the infotainment computer version, as anything built before 2018 came with the original MCU1. However, Tesla does offer MCU2 upgrades to boost performance and add entertainment features.
Model years: 2022 – 2023
Price range: $31,000 – $40,000
BYD recently introduced the Atto 3 Essential variant which starts from $39,990 before on-road costs. The Essential retains the same 50 kWh battery pack as the previous entry level Standard Range version, but removes some features like wireless phone charging and the panoramic sunroof, although some might say the standard roof is a positive.
Looking at second-hand Atto 3s, they are listed from $31,000 and there are even some 60 kWh Extended Range variants with less than 10,000 kms on the odometer, representing decent savings over a brand new Premium equivalent starting from $44,990.
Model years: 2023 – 2024
Price range: $34,000 – $37,000
Similar to the Atto 3, BYD recently introduced a new Dolphin Essential variant which currently takes the crown for Australia’s cheapest new EV at $29,990 plus on-road costs. The Dolphin Premium with a larger battery and upgraded interior starts from $36,990, boosting driving range from 340 km to 427 km WLTP.
There are not many used Dolphin listed at the moment, with prices that are similar or even higher than a brand new model in some cases. Unless you can strike a good deal, it makes more sense to go for a brand new Dolphin at the moment until more used examples start to filter through to the second-hand market.
Model years: 2019 – 2023
Price range: $31,000 – $40,000
As mentioned in the previous article, used Hyundai Konas are listed from around $25,000, but newer 2022 – 2023 models with lower kilometers are available in a higher price bracket. For example, there are a few 2023 model years including an Elite Extended Range with only 10,000 km listed for $37,900 in WA, a big saving from its original ~$60,000 price tag.
The Kona received a mild facelift from 2021 pictured above, featuring exterior design changes such as a smooth rounded nose and the introduction of the Standard Range variant, so double check the battery size if you are looking for the longest driving range possible.
Model years: 2021 – 2023
Price range: $34,000 – $40,000
Closely related to the Hyundai Kona EV above, the Kia Niro EV is not as common on the second-hand market with only 2 of them listed at the time of writing. All Niro EV models come with an extended range 65 kWh battery, offering roughly 450 km of WLTP driving range.
Model years: 2018 – 2023
Price range: $33,000 – $39,000
Nissan is currently selling all remaining stock of new Leafs for $34,990 driveaway or $44,990 for the 62 kWh e+ variant, as they are ceasing production of the vehicle to make way for a new generation Leaf and other electric models.
Second-hand Leafs are readily available second-hand under $30,000, while some dealer demos of the larger battery e+ variant are available around $39,000. Keep the driveaway offer above in mind if shopping for a used Leaf, as some 2018 – 2019 models are listed for around $33,000, barely below the price of a brand new one.
Model years: 2023 – 2024
Price range: $32,000 – $40,000
MG4 prices have fluctuated wildly over the past 6 months, with base model MG4 Excite 51 dropping to just $30,990 driveaway, and large discounts across the MG4 lineup during September and October 2024. These discounts have mostly disappeared, only a $34,990 driveaway offer on the MG4 Excite 51 remains until February 28, 2025.
However, some very good deals can still be found on MG4s, as MG dealers seem keen to offload their demonstrators for large discounts of up to several thousand dollars over the equivalent new vehicle prices, or in some cases even undercutting them.
For example, a dealer demo MG4 Excite 64 is listed for just $32,990 driveaway in WA, while a brand new one is $41,990 plus on-road costs. MG4 Essence 64 demos are also listed for around $38,000 driveaway, several thousand below the brand new price of $44,990 plus on-road costs.
Model years: 2022 – 2023
Price range: $31,000 – $40,000
Similar to the MG4, MG dealers have some good deals on slightly used demonstrator ZS EVs at the moment. These include a 2022 MG ZS EV Essence in NSW listed for $30,990 driveaway vs the equivalent MG sale price of $36,990 driveaway until February 28, 2025.
MG ZS EV Long Range is currently on sale brand new for $42,990 driveaway, while dealers have equivalent models listed for $38,990. The ZS EV savings don’t appear to be as big as the MG4, but it is still worth shopping around and comparing prices between dealers to potentially save yourself thousands.
Model years: 2024
Price range: $37,000 – $40,000
The Chery Omoda E5 is currently on sale brand new until March 31, 2025 with BX variants starting from $36,990 plus on-road costs or the EX from $39,990. Several dealers are selling slightly used demonstrator vehicles for similar prices, or even higher prices in some cases, so steer clear of these bad deals.
Model years: 2023 – 2025
Price range: $31,000 – $40,000
GWM Ora is one of numerous EV models on sale until March 31, 2025, with nationwide driveaway prices available across the Ora lineup. Standard Range variants currently start from $33,990, Extended Range $36,990 and Ora GT Extended Range $41,990.
Small discounts of $1,000 are available on dealer demo Standard Range Oras, while some Extended Range variants are listed for an equal price of $32,990 driveaway. However, the biggest discounts can be found on the Ora GT, matching the official GWM Standard Range price of just $33,990 driveaway in some cases.
Ora GT utilises the same 63 kWh battery and drivetrain as the Extended Range variant, so while it does not go any faster, it stands out with red highlights throughout the interior and exterior as well as a different wheel design. WLTP range drops from 420 km in the Extended Range to 400 km for the GT due to less aerodynamic wheels and other tweaks.
Model years: 2023
Price range: $38,000 – $40,000
If you are looking for a small and cute EV, then the Fiat 500e fits the bill perfectly. Currently on sale brand new for $49,990 driveaway until March 31, 2025, dealer demos can be found for as low as $37,990 driveaway which is arguably where this car should be priced given its size and WLTP driving range of around 300 km.
Model year: 2018
Price: $36,000
A single 2018 Jaguar I-Pace is currently listed in QLD for $36,000, which is a huge drop in value considering it was around $150,000 when new. Efficiency and infotainment is not a strong point in the I-Pace, but their dual-motor drivetrain is quick and includes features such as off-road driving modes and a wading depth of up to 500 mm.
Model year: 2022
Price: $39,888
The Vauxhall Corsa-e is not available in Australia, although a WA dealer has an imported right-hand drive model listed for sale with only 419 km on the odometer. With a 50 kWh battery and WLTP driving range of 330 km, this small hatchback would be very rare on Australian roads.
Model year: 2021
Price: $40,000
Another rare EV sighting on Australian roads is the Lexus UX300e, with just over 50 sold in total during 2024. A brand new UX300e costs over $80,000 and most second-hand examples are still above $50,000. While it is no longer listed, during my research there was a single 2021 Lexus UX300e for $40,000.
If you want to electrify your small business delivery van or just need plenty of space for your hobbies, there are some second-hand light commercial electric options now available between $32,000 and $40,000. New models of these vans start from roughly $60,000 new, so a second-hand option can be tens of thousands cheaper.
Model years: 2023
Price range: $36,000 – $40,000
The Peugeot e-Partner van is currently on sale brand new from $49,990 driveaway until March 31, 2025. However, dealers across several states and territories have demonstrators listed for as low as $35,990 driveaway, saving a further $14,000 off the regular $59,990 MSRP.
Model years: 2021 – 2022
Price range: $32,000 – $38,000
Renault has since released a refreshed Kangoo E-Tech van which starts from $61,990 for the short wheelbase version, featuring a more powerful 90 kW / 245 Nm motor and up to 286 km driving range. Second-hand Kangoo ZE models have a shorter 200 km driving range and 44 kW / 225 Nm motor, so they won’t be as spritely to drive as the newer E-Tech vans.
Model years: 2021
Price range: $32,500
A limited numer of BYD T3 electric vans were imported into Australia during 2021 and sold for $35,000 by EV Direct. A single used example is currently listed in NSW for $32,500 with 40,000 km on the odometer. The T3 offers a similar amount of cargo space to the e-Partner and Kangoo ZE, but it bests the other 2 vans with up to 300 km range.
For a real world review of the T3, see this 2022 article Sydney to Perth in five days in a short-range BYD T3 electric van.
Tim has 20 years experience in the IT industry including 14 years as a network engineer and site reliability engineer at Google Australia. He is an EV and renewable energy enthusiast who is most passionate about helping people understand and adopt these technologies.
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