Advice
Gallery5
Looking for the best value-for-range EV?
Snapshot
- Ultra-aerodynamic EVs don’t provide the best value-for-range, but Chinese made ones do
- Bigger battery, longer range often means more expensive price
- Long range EVs aren’t necessary for most Australians
Typically, a shorter driving range compared to traditional cars is a key perceived barrier to making the electric vehicle switch.
Yet, choosing a bigger battery for greater range often means a higher price tag – another key hurdle to EV adoption.
While EVs provide more than enough range for most Australians’ daily commuting needs, some also like to venture on interstate holiday road trips where longer driving range is only needed occasionally.
But, if you can (ideally) charge at home, have determined that switching to an EV suits your needs and don’t want to spend on a long-range EV that’s rarely needed, which models today can give buyers the best ‘bang for buck’ in terms of driving range?
JUMP AHEAD
- 🛣️ How far can EVs drive?
🔋 Top 10 best-value for range EVs
- 🛞 What are the longest-range EVs?
- 🤔 Time to make the electric switch?
🛣️ How far can EVs drive?
Most new electric car models today provide between 300 to 600 kilometres of claimed driving range, depending on the model.
Keep in mind, these are ‘claimed’ figures from the car manufacturer’s controlled laboratory tests, often under the European standard called the Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP).
As with regular internal combustion engine (ICE) cars, the real-world range will likely be 10 to 20 per cent less, depending on a variety of factors detailed here.
Carmakers also generally recommend an everyday charging limit of 80 per cent for lithium-ion type batteries to maintain good health and avoid extended charging times, whereas lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) cathodes are less susceptible to degradation if fully charged.
🔋 Top 10 best-value EVs, ranked by cost-for-range
If value-for-range is a priority, here’s the top new EV models in Australia that provide the best dollar per kilometre from a full charge.
Notably, all models are made in China (read why that’s the case here) – and demonstrate that you don’t need to spend on high-end, large battery or ultra-aerodynamic EV to achieve the best value for range.
- MG 4 Excite 64
- BYD Seal Premium
- BYD Dolphin Premium
- MG 4 Long Range 77
- BYD Seal Dynamic
- Polestar 2 Long Range Single Motor
- GWM Ora Extended Range
- MG 4 Essence 64
- MG 4 Excite 51
- Tesla Model 3 Long Range
How did we build this list?
The figures below are accurate at the time of publication, ranked by cost per kilometre.
The list is calculated on the manufacturer’s suggested retail price – excluding mandatory on-road costs – and uses claimed combined WLTP range on a full 100 per cent charge (which isn’t recommended regularly for lithium-ion batteries).
You can find news and reviews for each of these models by visiting our Electric Cars page or clicking the link beneath each model.
🥇 MG 4 Excite 64
| Cost per km | $99.98 |
|---|---|
| Price (before on-road costs) | $44,990 |
| Claimed range (WLTP) | 450km |
🥈 BYD Seal Premium*
| Cost per km | $103.15 |
|---|---|
| Price (before on-road costs) | $58,798 |
| Claimed range (WLTP) | 570km |
| *Model launching soon in Australia, but on sale now. | |
🥉 BYD Dolphin Premium
| Cost per km | $105.36 |
|---|---|
| Price (before on-road costs) | $44,990 |
| Claimed range (WLTP) | 427km |
5
4️⃣ MG 4 Long Range 77
| Cost per km | $105.64 |
|---|---|
| Price (before on-road costs) | $55,990 |
| Claimed range (WLTP) | 530km |
5️⃣ BYD Seal Dynamic*
| Cost per km | $108.45 |
|---|---|
| Price (before on-road costs) | $49,888 |
| Claimed range (WLTP) | 460km |
| *Model launching soon in Australia, but on sale now. | |
5
6️⃣ Polestar 2 Long Range Single Motor
| Cost per km | $109.17 |
|---|---|
| Price (before on-road costs) | $71,400 |
| Claimed range (WLTP) | 654km |
5
7️⃣ GWM Ora Extended Range
| Cost per km | $109.50 |
|---|---|
| Price (before on-road costs) | $45,990 |
| Claimed range (WLTP) | 420km |
8️⃣ MG 4 Essence 64
| Cost per km | $110.32 |
|---|---|
| Price (before on-road costs) | $47,990 |
| Claimed range (WLTP) | 435km |
5
9️⃣ MG 4 Excite 51
| Cost per km | $111.40 |
|---|---|
| Price (before on-road costs) | $38,990 |
| Claimed range (WLTP) | 350km |
🔟 Tesla Model 3 Long Range*
| Cost per km | $114.31 |
|---|---|
| Price (before on-road costs) | $71,900 |
| Claimed range (WLTP) | 629km |
| *Model launching soon in Australia, but on sale now. | |
🚗 Back to list | 🔼 Back to top
🛞 What are the longest-range EVs?
If your obsession is the furthest-driving EVs available in Australia regardless of price, check out our guide linked below.
🤔 Is it time to make the electric switch?
EVs are not for everyone (for now), but they are right for most.
Public charging availability, charging times, and price remain key perceived issues. For more, check out our /Electric hub guides below.
Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus.
COMMENTS