Small electric cars available in Australia in 2024

1 August, 2024 By: Byron Mathioudakis

As anybody who has jumped from a hatchback to an SUV knows, possessing a car with a smaller, lighter, lower and aerodynamically superior vehicle inherently means superior efficiency.

But the biggest appeal of small EVs is their bottom line. While parity with internal combustion engine (ICE) equivalent is still some years off, they’re more affordable than ever. Prices are falling and the competition is rising.

Here, then, are the small EVs available in Australia right now.

For other electric vehicle categories, see SUV EVs, EV utes, Large EV sedans, Mid-size EV sedans and EV vans.

GWM Ora from $35,990

One of Australia’s cheapest EVs, the Great Wall Motors (GWM) Ora is a spacious five-door hatchback with a Volkswagen Beetle look outside, yet adopts a contemporary, big-screen dashboard style reminiscent of the Mercedes-Benz EQA inside.

Aimed at the BYD Atto 3 and built in China, it features a front-mounted 126kW/250Nm electric motor, driving the front wheels. The Standard Range (SR) offers a 48kWh battery for a 310km range while the Extended Range (ER) ups that to 63kWh for 420km.

For the SR, a 50kW DC public fast charger should result in a 30 to 80 per cent top up in about 60 minutes (ER: 75min), nearly eight hours with an optional 7kW Wallbox (ER: 10hr) or about 24 hours plugged into a regular socket (ER: 30hr).

GWM also offers an Ora GT, with a bit more power and luxury equipment like a panoramic sunroof and electric tailgate.

BYD Dolphin from $36,890 (estimated)

Buoyed by strong sales of the BYD Atto 3 small SUV, the Dolphin five-door hatchback is amongst the most competitive EVs on sale in Australia, as well as one of the most compact.

But a low price isn’t the five-door hatchback’s only trick, thanks to crisp styling, a contemporary, pleasant interior and efficient space utilisation.

The Dolphin’s electric motor comes in two versions for now: 70kW/180Nm (Dynamic) and 150kW/310Nm (Premium). The latter also ushers in a more-sophisticated rear suspension set-up for improved dynamics.

There are also various battery options abroad, but for Australia we’re only seeing the 45kWh and 60kWh sizes, delivering 340km and 427km of range respectively.

BYD is famous for its light and robust ‘Blade Battery’ tech, which is claimed to require about 60 minutes for a 30 to 80 per cent top-up using a 50kW DC public charger. The car can also be used to charge other electrical equipment.

MG4 from $39,990

The MG4 is bound to change the face of Australian EV motoring.

As well as being startlingly affordable, the MG4 is a much-more advanced EV than the ageing ZS EV SUV, combining a sleek five-door liftback body with an equally stylish, spacious and sophisticated interior, offering plenty of practicality and features to boot.

Sitting on MG’s new scalable EV architecture, three battery sizes are available: the 51kWh unit in the base car, a 64kWh version and a 77kWh Long Range grade. In all three, electricity is sent to a rear-mounted motor driving the rear wheels.

Find a 50kW DC fast charger and you can replenish the two smaller-battery MG4s from 10-80 per cent in about 70 minutes, or 10 hours and 32 hours with an optional 7kW Wallbox and normal home socket respectively. Add about 20 per cent more time for the Long Range.

Sleek, safe, sprightly and fun to drive, the MG4 is poised to truly democratise EVs in Australia.

Nissan Leaf from $50,990

Nissan’s game-changing Leaf launched in 2010 as the first modern EV, became history’s bestselling EV until Tesla’s Model 3 arrived and then underwent a complete restyle in 2017.

Still Corolla-sized, Leaf II launched two years later in Australia with a bigger, 40kWh battery to address limited range issues. A gutsy 110kW electric motor drives the front wheels.

Other advances included improved steering for more precise handling, a boost in driver-assist safety tech and single-pedal driving to help recharge the battery.

Speaking of which, a modest 50kW DC charger needs about 45 minutes for an 80 per cent charge, or 100 per cent in 13 hours using an optional 7kW Wallbox. Otherwise, using the household mains needs 20 hours.

You can add about 50 per cent more to these times if you’re charging the 62kWh battery Leaf e+.

Dated yet charmingly unassuming, the historic Leaf remains an easy and comfortable EV to live with.

Fiat 500e from $52,500

While it may seem similar to the petrol version, the 500e is actually all-new, more premium, larger to boot, and a whole lot better to drive (and ride) in.

Designed for chic urban travel, the comparatively lightweight Italian three-door hatch might only be fitted with a modest 87kW motor and city-sized 42kWh battery, but it makes the most of what it has.

For instance, a 50kW DC charger only needs 30 minutes for an 80 per cent top-up, while using a household plug can go from empty to full in under 20 hours, or just six hours with an optional 7kW Wallbox.

Fiat has really piled on the luxury inside as well, with a classy and contemporary layout reflecting both the premium pricing and EV tech underneath, while the list of safety equipment is extensive.

A poor warranty and high pricing aside, the 500e is a charming and accomplished premium EV.

Mini Cooper E Electric from $53,990

The all-new Cooper EV possesses some of the 1960s original’s plucky, minimalist charm.

Unrelated to the previous Mini SE from 2020, the second-gen version – available in 41kWh E and 54kWh SE battery sizes – is now a standalone three-door model, with sleeker, smoother and simpler design themes than before.

Sold alongside a different but similar-looking petrol-powered three/five-door range also badged Cooper, all feature a sparse dash dominated by a brilliant circular touchscreen, excellent ergonomics and a focus on recycled materials.

Though built on a fresh EV architecture in China, overlord BMW has still managed to infuse the Mini’s traditional performance and athleticism.

Charging at home requires about 20 hours, or six hours with a 7kW Wallbox, while using a 50kW DC charger needs 40 minutes for an 80 per cent top-up. Add about 25 per cent for the spicier SE.

Racy, agile and comfortable, the electric Coopers are amongst the most fun EVs around.

Cupra Born from $59,990

Cupra is the sports division of the Seat brand from Spain and is essentially a Volkswagen.

Named after a Barcelonan district, the German-built Born is closely related to a host of similarly-sized VW EVs.

Strikingly styled, the Mazda 3-sized five-seater, five-door hatchback possesses a warm-hatch performance vibe, and continues that theme inside while still providing decent space and practicality.

Australians will only get the 170kW motor version powered by an 82kWh battery and driving the rear wheels.

With over 500km of range possible, the Born competes on that score with the Tesla Model Y and Hyundai Ioniq 5.

Find a 50kW DC charger, and the Born can be replenished to 80 per cent in under 75 minutes, or to 100 per cent in under 13 hours using an optional 7kW Wallbox. A household plug needs about 40 hours.

Offering strong performance and keen handling, the Born is aimed at EV buyers who are also keen drivers.

Electric range is quoted using the World harmonised Light vehicle Testing Procedure (WLTP), or otherwise are manufacturers’ claims.