The 5 most affordable electric SUVs in Melbourne right now

Verified by Daniel Romero

Electric SUVs under $40,000 have moved from a handful of pre-owned options, to a rapidly increasing set of options in the space of about a year. And to answer "which one is cheapest" depends on which price you're looking at. Some brands quote a drive-away figure - reflective of what customers actually pay when they buy their car, while others quote a before-on-road-costs figure that might grab headlines, but for customers it gets a few thousand dollars more expensive once registration and stamp duty are added.

To keep this easier to compare, we've ranked all five on Victorian drive-away figures, since that's the figure you'll actually pay. 

1 - GWM Ora 5

The GWM Ora 5 Lux is priced from $33,990 drive away, the only car in this list with a drive-away figure under $34,000.

It offers drivers 150kW of power, 260Nm of torque and a 58.33kWh LFP battery, good for up to 435km on the WLTC cycle, the longest claimed range of any car on this list.

It's backed by a 7 year, unlimited-kilometre vehicle warranty plus an 8 year, unlimited-kilometre battery warranty, and 7 years of capped-price servicing at $195 per visit.

And, in a world where most cars are now offering tyre inflation kits to save weight and money, the GWM Ora 5 includes a space-saver spare tyre as standard, adding a little extra piece of mind to those keen to explore a little further.

It's currently awaiting ANCAP assessment, with a result expected later in 2026.

2 - BYD Atto 2

The BYD Atto 2 Dynamic has the lowest RRP in this list at $31,990 plus on-road costs, which is where its reputation as Australia's cheapest electric SUV comes from. Drive away pricing is $35,529.75 if you choose the no-cost Ski White colour option here in Victoria.

It offers 130kW of power and 290Nm of torque with a 51.1kWh battery, rated at 345km WLTP, the shortest range in this group, and its 82kW maximum DC charging speed is the slowest here too - if you are mostly charging at home, this isn't a cause for concern.

Warranty cover is 6 years and 150,000km on the vehicle plus 8 years and 160,000km on the battery, with roadside assistance limited to 12 months.

There's no spare tyre, just a repair kit, and it hasn't been ANCAP tested.

3 - Jaecoo J5 EV

The Jaecoo J5 EV is sold in a single, well-equipped grade, launched at $36,990 drive away as an introductory offer that has been extended each month, the RRP is $36,990 plus on-road costs once this offer ends on September 30th.

It offers 155kW of power and 288Nm of torque paired with a 58.9kWh LFP battery, claiming up to 402km WLTP range, with DC fast charging up to 130kW.

Warranty is a strong point here, at 8 years and unlimited kilometres covering both vehicle and battery plus roadside assistance extending to 8 years if serviced through the Omoda Jaecoo network.

Capped-price servicing runs for 8 years, averaging around $190 a year.

It hasn't been ANCAP tested yet, with Jaecoo aiming a five-star result.

4 - Chery E5

The Chery E5 Ultimate, formerly sold as the Chery Omoda E5, is now a single-grade model priced from $37,990 drive away as a current national offer.

It offers 155kW of power and 288Nm of torque with a 58.9kWh LFP battery for up to 430km WLTP range, second only to the Ora 5 in this list.

It's the only car on this list with a current five-star ANCAP rating, awarded in 2024, and the only one with a full-size spare tyre rather than a space-saver or repair kit.

Warranty runs to 7 years unlimited kilometres on the vehicle and 8 years unlimited kilometres on the battery, with 7 years of roadside assistance and 7 years of capped-price servicing.

5 - Leapmotor B10

The Leapmotor B10 Style is the most expensive car in this group at $38,990 drive away, rising to $41,990 for the longer-range Design variant.

It's the only rear-wheel-drive car on this list, offering 160kW of power and 240Nm of torque with a 56.2kWh battery in Style trim, rated at 361km WLTP or 434km WLTP with the larger 67.1kWh battery in the Design Long Range grade.

It holds a five-star ANCAP rating, awarded in February 2026, matching the Chery E5.

Warranty is 6 years and 150,000km on the vehicle plus 8 years and 160,000km on the battery, with 8 years of roadside assistance.

Capped-price servicing runs for 8 years, averaging around $370 a year, the highest running cost of any car in the top 5.

While the B10 isn't one of our current new car franchises, it certainly deserves a place in the top 5 and our friendly finance team can assist with insurance and finance options, while our pre-owned team can help you source one.

If you want the lowest drive-away price with the longest range, the Ora 5 comfortably leads this group.

If a five-star ANCAP rating today is non-negotiable, the Chery E5 and Leapmotor B10 are the only two that currently have one and the E5 also comes with the longest warranty and servicing package here alongside the inclusion of a full-size spare tyre.

The J5 EV sits in the middle on price with the strongest warranty terms of the five.

We stock the GWM Ora 5, BYD Atto 2, Chery E5 and Jaecoo J5 EV across our Melbourne dealerships. Come in and drive them back to back, and we'll be help you find the one that best fits how you actually use your car, avoiding drowning in tech specs that may not apply to your usage.

Simply fill in the form below, and our team will help you find the best electric SUV to suit your lifestyle or needs. They'll also help you secure a great deal on your new electric vehicle.

• The cheapest electric cars and SUVs under $35,000 in Melbourne
• The 5 longest-range EVs under $35,000
• The 5 fastest charging EVs under $35,000

Daniel Romero has over 20 years of experience in the automotive industry, including a previous role as Sales and Product Training Manager for Toyota WA and is the founder of Road Trip Reviews. This article has been checked against manufacturer and official pricing, specification and safety sources.