Australia’s Cheapest New Car Is Now an EV — the $19,990 BYD Atto 1

In 2026, EVs in Australia cover the entire price spectrum, from less than $30,000 all the way into the stratosphere — and the cheapest new car in the country is now an electric one. The BYD Atto 1 sells from $19,990 drive-away, and as of mid-September it is the cheapest new car in Australia, EV or otherwise.

The value ladder above it is crowded. The Geely EX2 runs $26,490–$30,990 with 252–345 km of range, the BYD Atto 2 is $31,990–$35,990 with 345 km, and the GAC Aion UT is $31,990 drive-away with a claimed 430 km. The Jaecoo J5 EV packs a 58.9 kWh battery and 402 km of range from $35,990, while the Leapmotor B10 starts at $38,990 drive-away.

At the family end, the Tesla Model Y remains the best family electric SUV pick and the Model 3 the best electric sedan, with the Long Range rear-wheel-drive Model 3 at $61,900 offering a remarkable 750 km of WLTP range. The Zeekr 7X takes the best-value premium EV slot, and the BYD Sealion 7 — from about $54,990 drive-away — has more than doubled its sales in 2026.

The Australian market is a preview of what happens when Chinese brands compete hard on price: the entry point for a new car drops below $20,000, and every segment above it gets cheaper too. For buyers, the guide’s message is simple — there is now a credible EV at almost every price, and the cheapest one on the lot is electric.