MG, BYD race to deliver cheapest electric car

Electric car customers are set to benefit from affordable new options as two emerging brands go head-to-head in a battle for value.

The 2023 MG4 is one of Australia’s cheapest electric cars.

Chinese car companies MG and BYD are racing to deliver Australia’s cheapest electric car.

Both brands are preparing to sell affordable machines that run on battery power alone, undercutting the likes of Tesla with new value-driven options.

The MG4 electric car is one of this year’s most-anticipated models.

MG fired the first shot on Tuesday with news that its new MG4 electric car will be available with a choice of batteries, including a cheaper option offered to customers for $38,990 plus on-road costs.

That makes it the first sub-$40,000 electric car in Australia.

The BYD Dolphin launches in Australia this week.

The MG4 will be the cheapest electric car on sale for at least a couple of days, until rival brand BYD launches its new Dolphin electric car.

BYD has promised that the Dolphin will be “Australia’s most affordable, high quality electric vehicle” when it launches on Thursday June 22.

It should undercut the Tesla Model 3, which sells for $61,300 plus on-road costs, by a handy margin.

Tesla’s place as the number one electric car brand could be threatened by emerging models.

Full details for the Dolphin have not been confirmed.

But MG has locked in specs for the MG4.

Priced from $38,990 plus on-roads, the cheapest MG4 Excite has a 125kW electric motor linked to a 51kWh battery promising 350 kilometres of range.

MG says the MG4 is a response to the cost of living crisis.

The Excite is also available with a 150kW motor and 64kWh battery that deliver 450km of range for $44,990 plus on-road costs.

Mid-grade MG4 Essence models have more features that return slightly less range (435 kilometres) for $47,990 plus on-roads, while a long range version with 77kWh of battery storage and 180kW of power promises 530 kilometres of driving distance for $55,990 plus on-road costs.

The MG4 won critical acclaim in the UK.

MG is also considering a high-performance, all-wheel-drive “X-Power” model with 300kW of punch and about 400 kilometres of range.

MG chief executive Peter Ciao said that “as MG has done with our other models, we are creating affordable and accessible cars and the MG4 is helping Aussies get into an electric vehicle sooner than later”.

The MG4 electric car will reach Australian driveways soon.

“There is no doubt that the cost of living is the number one issue right now for Australians and we’re trying our best to help by making EV affordable with the release of MG4 at under $38,990 plus on road costs.”