Best New Electric Cars in Australia: 2026 Guide

Buying a car is more exciting than it has been in years. And if you’re looking at new electric cars, Australia has plenty to offer. EVs used to mean Tesla and not much else. Now the showroom is full. Old brands and new Chinese brands are all fighting on price, range, and tech. Petrol is expensive, charging stations are easy to find, and the cheapest EV now costs less than a basic petrol hatch.

The big story with new electric cars in Australia in 2026 is choice. You can spend $23,990 on a small city car or six figures on a long-range family SUV. Everything in between is covered too. This guide keeps it simple. We’ll look at what’s selling, what’s coming, what it costs to own, and how to pick the right one for your life.

The EV market in 2026

The change is real. In May 2026, almost 30% of new cars sold in Australia were electric. For the first time, an EV, the Tesla Model Y, was the country’s best-selling car. Add hybrids and plug-in hybrids, and electrified cars are now nearly half of all sales.

Tesla still leads on single models. But BYD, Geely, Zeekr, Chery, and GAC have all become big names fast. More brands mean lower prices, longer warranties, and better features for you.

Best-selling electric cars right now

Want a safe, proven pick? Start here:

SUVs rule the list. They make up nine of the top ten best-selling EVs.

The cheapest electric cars

This is where 2026 really shines. The BYD Atto 1 is the cheapest new EV in the country at $23,990 plus on-road costs. That’s the lowest price ever for a new EV here. It even undercuts petrol-city cars like the Toyota Yaris. Its SUV sibling, the BYD Atto 2, is the cheapest electric SUV from $31,990.

There’s more. The MG4 Urban starts near $31,990 drive-away. The GAC Aion UT lands around $30,990 drive-away. Two EVs now sit under $30,000, and about 20 models cost under $40,000. So there’s a real option for almost any budget.

New electric cars coming in 2026

The list of new arrivals is exciting. Watch for the cheap MG4 Urban hatch, the Mazda CX-6e SUV (up to 483km range), the small Geely EX2, and the fun Honda Super-One. Australia is also getting its first proper electric ute. The Toyota HiLux BEV is $74,990 plus on-road costs.

What an EV costs to own

The price tag isn’t the whole story. The biggest saving comes from the federal FBT exemption. It lets you skip fringe benefits. Tax on an eligible EV through a novated lease. That can save thousands a year, sometimes up to about $11,000. The car must cost under $91,387 to qualify. Note: plug-in hybrids lost this perk in April 2025, and the rules face a review in mid-2027. Locking in a lease now keeps today’s rules.

You may also get cheaper stamp duty and rego in some states. Day to day, home charging is far cheaper than petrol, and EVs need less servicing.

How to Choose the Right New Electric Car in Australia

Start with range: a 300–345 km city EV suits town driving, while road trips or a busy family needs 450 km or more. Then pick a body type. SUVs for space, a hatchback for easy parking, and a lower price.

Set a real budget including on-road costs, and check if a novated lease and the FBT exemption help. Finally, if you can charge at home, an EV makes far more sense. Shortlist two or three and test drive them.

Conclusion

There’s never been a better time to buy a new electric car in Australia. Entry prices are lower than those of petrol cars. The choice runs from city hatch to family SUV to ute. And the FBT exemption can make a good EV very affordable on a novated lease. Pick what fits your life, use AI tools and reviews to narrow it down, then test drive your top picks. 2026 could be your year to switch.