Australia’s best-value electric cars by driving range

Looking for an EV that maximises your dollars for driving range?

Less driving range compared to traditional petrol and diesel cars is a key perceived barrier to make the electric vehicle switch. Yet, bigger batteries and more range often means a higher price tag.

EVs provide more than enough range for most Australians’ needs – with the typical driver travelling only 30 to 40 kilometres on average per day, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics [↗].

But, Australians also like to venture on interstate holiday road trips and some need to travel long distances for work at times – which is when you’ll most benefit from a longer range EV.

But, if you can (ideally) charge at home and have determined that switching to an EV suits your needs, which models available today will give you 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?

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🛣️ How far can EVs drive?

Most new electric car models on sale 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 petrol or diesel cars, the real-world range will likely be less (typically 10 to 20 per cent) – depending on factors such as driving behaviour, air-conditioning use, weather conditions (headwinds, rain), aerodynamic drag (open windows, roof racks fitted), and payload (weight of passengers, cargo, tow trailer).

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.

But, which electric car models offer the best value for range from a single full charge?

🔋 Top 20 best-value EVs, ranked by cost-for-range

If driving range is a priority for you, here’s every EV model that provide the best dollar-for-range in Australia.

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

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🥈 BYD Dolphin Premium*

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🥉 MG 4 Long Range 77

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4️⃣ Polestar 2 Long Range Single Motor

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5️⃣ GWM Ora Extended Range

6️⃣ MG 4 Essence 64

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7️⃣ MG 4 Excite 51

8️⃣ Tesla Model 3 Long Range*

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9️⃣ BYD Dolphin Dynamic*

🔟 GWM Ora Ultra

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🛞 What are the longest-range EVs?

If your obsession is the furthest-driving EVs available in Australia regardless of price, check out our comprehensive guide below.

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🤔 Is it time to make the electric switch?

For more on everything you need to know about electric cars, click on the links below.

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