Strong demand for EVs has brought sharper prices for electric cars and SUVs, with many now below $40,000. Chinese brands are leading the charge: BYD, Geely, Jaecoo, GWM, MG, Chery, Leapmotor and others. Here are the cheapest EVs you can buy in Australia right now.
Electric
Research & compare Hyundai Kona Electric models on sale: prices, specs, running costs, safety
Research & compare Kia Niro EV models on sale: prices, specs, features, running costs, safety
Research & compare Hyundai Ioniq 5 EVs on sale: prices, specs, features, running costs, safety
Research & compare BYD Atto 3 EVs on sale: prices, specs, features, running costs, safety
Research & compare Kia EV6 models on sale: prices, specs, features, running costs, safety
Research & compare Jaguar I-Pace EVs on sale: prices, specs, features, running costs, safety
Research & compare MG4 EVs on sale: prices, specs, features, running costs, safety
Research & compare Nissan Leaf EVs on sale: prices, specs, features, running costs, safety
Research & compare Tesla Model 3 EVs on sale: prices, specs, features, running costs, safety
Research & compare Polestar 2 EVs on sale: prices, specs, features, running costs, safety
Research & compare Tesla Model S EVs on sale: prices, specs, features, running costs, safety
Research & compare Mercedes-Benz eVito EVs on sale: prices, specs, running costs, safety
The best affordable used electric cars in Australia for 2026
Second-hand electric cars and SUVs can be a smart choice for buyers, bringing quality EVs into reach. Here’s our best affordable picks for used small EVs under $30,000, mid-size EVs under $45,000 and large EVs under $60,000.
It has taken a little while for the message to sink in, but more and more Australians are planning to make their next car an EV.
Many buyers have been discouraged in the past by the high purchase price of electric vehicles, but increasing competition has brought a wide range of more affordable models onto the market and put downward pressure on EV prices – both new and used.
The used car market for EVs has been steadily growing, and there are now thousands of second-hand battery-electric passenger cars and SUVs listed for sale across Australia. Each one offers efficiency, refinement and ease of use that’s often comparable to a new EV, but with the added attraction of a more affordable purchase price for buyers on a tight budget.
That other hurdle – battery life – is not the problem some might have once anticipated, with the vast majority of used electric cars providing buyers peace of mind that comes with the balance of an eight-year factory warranty for the high-voltage battery. For most EVs, the battery will retain at least 70 per cent of its original capacity over the warranty period.
“Buying a used electric car is not the leap in the dark a lot of consumers used to think it was,” says RACV Motoring Editor Terry Martin. “And the situation can only improve over time as more EVs cross over into the used car market.”
He adds: “Depreciation has also brought some excellent premium EVs into reach, which might otherwise have been off the table.”
We’ve handpicked a selection of the best affordable used EVs in Australia. With such a broad selection of electric SUVs and passenger cars now available, we’ve created three price brackets to cover small, medium and large EVs – under $30,000, $45,000 and $60,000 respectively. Most of these are up to eight years old, based on the widely used battery warranty period.
As with buying any used car, an EV’s safety performance is also an important consideration – ANCAP ratings for older models and Australia’s Used Car Safety Ratings are great resources – and it always pays to check the car’s service history and have it inspected before committing to the purchase.
More: Research and compare new and used EVs on sale today in Australia
Jump to:
- Best used electric small SUV under $30,000
- Best used electric medium SUV under $45,000
- Best used electric large family SUV under $60,000
- Best used EV hatchback under $30,000
- Best used EV medium sedan under $45,000
- Best used EV large sedan & wagon under $60,000
- Buying an affordable used electric car or SUV – FAQs
The 2021 Hyundai Kona Electric Standard Range is a tempting used car proposition in 2026.
What is the best used electric small SUV under $30,000?
Hyundai Kona Electric
Reaching Australia early in 2019, the Hyundai Kona Electric was an expensive proposition with an opening price of $59,990 plus on-road costs. But before long, the compact Kona EV was scoring rave reviews, not least of all for its decent range on a single battery charge (up to 557km WLTP) and its strong performance overall.
Today, a Hyundai Kona Electric Elite from 2022 offers flexible packaging and reasonable comfort at a price below $30,000. For that money, the buyer also gets the balance of the five-year new car warranty and around four years of battery warranty (depending on mileage).
The price applies to the Kona Electric Standard Range, which was introduced in late 2021 as more accessible model than the original EV (subsequently renamed the Extended Range). As new, the SR was priced from $54,500 plus on-road costs and carried a lot of equipment, with the major cuts found in its lower-output 100kW powertrain (-50kW) and smaller 39kWh battery that reduced the driving range to 305km WLTP compared to the 64kWh power pack.
That still made it a very handy, practical and accomplished EV for the city – and that’s still the case today, with a bonus brought with its used car pricing. Also watch out for well-priced Extended Range models, as price cuts introduced when the Kona was new have put pressure on residual values.
In crash safety testing, the Hyundai Kona Electric earned itself a maximum five stars from ANCAP in 2017 and has also achieved five stars under Australia’s Used Car Safety Ratings.
Research & compare Hyundai Kona Electric models on sale: prices, specs, running costs, safety
Also consider: Kia Niro EV
Although it ran on a longer wheelbase than the Hyundai Kona Electric and delivered better luggage capacity, the Kia Niro EV shared the same powertrain components and battery pack with the extended-range Kona. That tends to bring higher prices on the used car market, but it’s worth hunting for a bargain. Launched mid-2021, this first-generation Kia Niro EV was never assessed by ANCAP, although its hybrid and plug-in hybrid counterparts scored a maximum five stars.
Later second-generation Kia Niro EV models (from mid-2022) are generally positioned outside our $30,000 price ceiling for used small electric SUVs, but they can be found!
Research & compare Kia Niro EV models on sale: prices, specs, features, running costs, safety
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 picked up Car of the Year awards in 2021, impressing with its all-round excellence.
What is the best used electric medium SUV under $45,000?
Hyundai Ioniq 5
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 was widely acclaimed when it arrived in Australia during 2021, representing a new wave of practical EVs with a long driving range, outstanding use of interior space, excellent comfort and solid driving dynamics.
Today, a buyer in the market for a used electric SUV can pick up a single-motor/rear-wheel-drive Hyundai Ioniq 5 from 2022 for less than $45,000, and with a bit of haggling they might even land one of the dual-motor/AWD models with extended range for that sort of money.
A Hyundai Ioniq 5 from that year also retains the balance of its factory warranty and was rated five stars for safety by ANCAP in 2021.
Research & compare Hyundai Ioniq 5 EVs on sale: prices, specs, features, running costs, safety
Also consider: BYD Atto 3
One of the pioneers of the Chinese EV assault on the Australian market, the BYD Atto 3 shocked local buyers with its affordable pricing, attractive styling and high level of standard equipment when it launched here in 2022. It was the spearhead for BYD, a brand previously unknown in Australia but now achieving sales success that could not have been forecast at the time.
Rated five stars for crash safety by ANCAP in 2022, the Atto 3 remains covered by its factory warranty, and some examples are selling for less than $30,000 in the used electric SUV market.
The Atto 3 is on the smaller side of the medium SUV category, which is reflected in its value pricing. It has also just undergone a significant overhaul for 2026, so watch out for bargains on the used car market with pre-update models.
Research & compare BYD Atto 3 EVs on sale: prices, specs, features, running costs, safety
The Kia EV6 was a revelation when it launched in Australia, shown here in dual-motor/AWD GT-Line guise.
What is the best used electric large family SUV under $60,000?
Kia EV6
The Kia EV6 is officially classified as a large SUV but its crossover styling and clever packaging see it rivalling a broad range of EVs across different segments – including medium SUVs and even medium-to-large sedans and wagons.
When it arrived in Australia in late 2021 (for the 2022 model year), the EV6 impressed many buyers and motoring journalists alike. It raised the bar for Kia design and engineering, offering high levels of tech and sophistication, clever interior packaging, an accomplished ride and handling balance (tuned for local roads) and strong performance.
In the used electric SUV market, the Kia EV6 has depreciated below $60,000 but continues to offer the balance of its seven-year new-car warranty for 2022 models, the same year that ANCAP awarded the EV6 five stars for safety.
Research & compare Kia EV6 models on sale: prices, specs, features, running costs, safety
Also consider: Jaguar I-Pace
Few electric cars can deliver the cachet and the performance for the money that a used Jaguar I-Pace can. Even now, after being discontinued in 2024, the I-Pace remains a formidable car, although more affordable examples available below $60,000 tend to be no longer covered by the British luxury brand’s factory warranty.
It was rated five stars for safety by ANCAP in 2018 and, overall, presents a solid case as a second-hand prestige EV purchase.
Research & compare Jaguar I-Pace EVs on sale: prices, specs, features, running costs, safety
The MG4 was one of the first EVs to bring cheap, fun-to-drive electric motoring to Australia.
What is the best used EV hatchback under $30,000?
MG4
The compact rear-wheel-drive MG4 is another EV that won critical acclaim at launch for its value, packaging and driving manners, arriving in Australia in 2023 and now the subject of a significant update for 2026 that should bring some bargains on the second-hand market for the original models.
MG Australia no longer sells the entry-level MG4 Excite 51 – making way for the new front-wheel-drive MG4 EV Urban, which is built on a different platform – but the 51 (denoting its 51kWh battery) has plenty of life left in it on the used car market. With low kilometres and several years of factory warranty remaining, a used MG4 Excite for well below $30,000 is worth considering.
Higher-tier models with stronger performance, a longer range and better equipment are also prospects with a $30,000 budget, as seen with the MG4 Essence.
Importantly, the MG4 also carries a maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating, awarded in 2022.
Research & compare MG4 EVs on sale: prices, specs, features, running costs, safety
Also consider: Nissan Leaf
The second-generation Nissan Leaf arrived in Australia in 2018, offering a single 40kWh variant with a claimed 315km driving range on the WLTP cycle. Two years later, the Nissan Leaf e+ came to market with a 60kWh battery for a 450km range (WLTP) – and it’s this more powerful, longer-range model that holds most appeal for used car buyers on a tight budget.
While ANCAP didn’t test the 60kWh Leaf e+ for safety, the closely related 40kWh variant did score a five-star rating in 2018.
Research & compare Nissan Leaf EVs on sale: prices, specs, features, running costs, safety
What is the best used EV medium sedan under $45,000?
Tesla Model 3
The Tesla Model 3 was a certified hit when it reached Australian shores in 2019, incorporating many of the virtues of the larger Model S in an equally attractive and more affordable package. The cars were initially built in the USA, but the Model 3 for Australia has been built in China since 2021, helping keep the electric family sedan price-competitive in the rapidly changing EV market.
Buyers looking for a used electric medium-size car can expect to locate earlier Model 3 examples for a budget below $30,000. These are typically American-built rear-wheel-drive models with a single electric motor. But if the budget permits, up to $45,000 will buy a second-hand dual-motor/all-wheel-drive Model 3 that has likely travelled less than 100,000km over the course of its working life.
As a long-term ownership proposition, the Model 3 promises strong performance, a relatively long battery life, comfort, practicality and impeccable safety for the family.
ANCAP judged the Model 3 to be extremely safe from its release in 2019, right through to the present day, earning five stars and praise along the way as one of the safest cars on the market. The Model 3 has also earned five stars from Australia’s Used Car Safety Ratings.
Research & compare Tesla Model 3 EVs on sale: prices, specs, features, running costs, safety
Also consider: Polestar 2
The Polestar 2 which went on sale in Australia in 2021 is unusual for being a medium electric car that entered the local market with front- and all-wheel-drive models but then migrated to a mix of rear-wheel-drive/AWD variants in 2023. Praised by the experts, and awarded five stars by ANCAP, the Polestar 2 in RWD form is now within reach for used car buyers limited to a budget of $45,000.
The FWD Polestar 2 remains an affordable, five-star-safe and commendable alternative, if the budget doesn’t extend that far.
Research & compare Polestar 2 EVs on sale: prices, specs, features, running costs, safety
The Tesla Model S was a pioneer for premium EVs in Australia, creating a solid foundation for the US brand.
What is the best used EV large sedan & wagon under $60,000?
Tesla Model S
A game changer from the moment of its Australian release in 2014, the Tesla Model S altered everyone’s perception of how an electric vehicle should look and drive. But it fell victim to the success of its own stablemate, the smaller Model 3, and importation of the Model S ended in 2021.
Savvy car buyers on the lookout for affordable luxury and performance in a large electric car will quickly track down the Model S at prices below $50,000. But buyer beware. In the main, these cars are typically 10 years old or more, and they may have covered a lot of kilometres during their decade of operating life, so it’s important to check the battery health for any sign of degradation before buying a used Tesla Model S.
On the plus side, the Model S was granted five stars for safety by ANCAP during the seven-year period it was on sale in Australia.
Research & compare Tesla Model S EVs on sale: prices, specs, features, running costs, safety
Also consider: Mercedes-Benz eVito
A people-mover is not necessarily the first thought to cross the mind of a buyer looking for a large electric vehicle in the used car market, but the Mercedes-Benz eVito is a very practical solution for large families. Don’t be fooled by its humble commercial vehicle origins; the eVito from 2022 delivers practicality, comfort and energy efficiency at an affordable price, typically undercutting MPVs based on passenger cars.
It was not assessed by ANCAP, but the regular Vito van did achieve five stars for safety back in 2014. On top of that, the current version scored highly for its driver assist safety technology when tested in 2024.
Research & compare Mercedes-Benz eVito EVs on sale: prices, specs, running costs, safety
There are some real bargains out there in the market, but we’d suggest you steer clear of EVs priced below $20,000 – unless you get a full battery health check that can help guide your decision. We’ve based our guide on a budget of $30,000 for small EVs, $45,000 for medium EVs and $60,000 for large EVs.
There are many factors that influence the longevity of an EV’s high-voltage battery, but you can expect it to retain at least 70% of its original capacity over the first eight years. This is in line with the warranty offered by many brands. All batteries lose capacity over time, but you can expect this to be a gradual process unless there is a problem with the vehicle.
If you don’t need to travel long distances and can recharge at home using a dedicated EV charger, many owners will find that driving range does not present as an issue. The public charging network is also constantly expanding in Australia. An EV’s range hinges on a wide range of factors, from battery capacity and state of health to driving conditions and behaviour.
Not all EVs are set up for towing, while those that are rated may have a restricted capacity. The higher loads associated with towing will reduce efficiency and drain the battery more quickly than when the car is unladen. It will cut the driving range and require charging more often.
The usual issues apply. Where possible, favour cars that have travelled a shorter distance than 100,000km. Make sure that the car you want has been serviced in accordance with the factory schedule. Newer cars tend to be safer. Make a five-star ANCAP rating a priority.
The information provided is general advice only. Before making any decisions please consider your own circumstances and the Product Disclosure Statement and Target Market Determinations. For copies, visit racv.com.au. As distributor, RACV Insurance Services Pty Ltd AFS Licence No. 230039 receives commission for each policy sold or renewed. Product(s) issued by Insurance Manufacturers of Australia Pty Ltd ABN 93 004 208 084 AFS Licence No. 227678.
