If you're wanting to get yourself in a nice car without paying outright or taking out a secured loan, novated lease is worth a look. There are some considerations to be made, though.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
A novated lease is a three-way agreement between you, your employer, and a finance or leasing company that can significantly reduce your tax obligations. Benefits vary between different companies, so it pays to shop around.
It's a form of salary sacrificing, whereby your vehicle payments are deducted from your pay before taxes are deducted. This reduces your tax obligations.
For full details, you can read our breakdown of novated leasing here.
Novated leasing, however, is considered a fringe benefit. That means your employer has to pay fringe-benefits tax (FBT), which is charged at 47 per cent, with the taxable value being 20 per cent of the car's cost.
That would generally be passed onto you – but if you're willing to buy an electric car or plug-in hybrid (PHEV) below a set threshold, this won't be an issue.
The government has made these cars and their running costs exempt from FBT obligations, so long as they cost less than the $89,332 luxury car tax (LCT) threshold.
This, alongside current end-of-financial-year (EOFY) deals, could save you money on a brand new electric car or PHEV.
Here are all the electric vehicles currently on sale in Australia priced under the LCT threshold, with any information on current deals included.
For range and consumption figures, we've used figures listed in Australia's Green Vehicle Guide where possible, as they're more relevant to the vehicles available here.
For vehicles not recorded in the Green Vehicle Guide, we've used figures published based on the European WLTP testing cycle (as labelled below).
Click the links below to jump to your chosen car, or scroll through the story.
Abarth 500e
The hotted-up Abarth 500e comes in two variants, and starts at $58,900 before on-road costs.
The Turismo is the cheaper of the two, while the Scorpionissima starts at $60,500 before on-roads. Both have a 42kWh battery and a claimed 253km of range, with an energy consumption of 18.1kWh/100km.
They'll both take around 35 minutes to charge from zero to 80 per cent at its maximum DC charge speed of 85kW.
BMW i4
Only one variant of the i4 is exempt from FBT obligations, and it's the base eDrive35 at $85,900 before on-road costs.
It has a claimed range of 430km and an energy consumption of 17.3kWh/100km, as well as a 31-minute 10 to 80 per cent DC fast charging time. A 67kWh battery comes standard on the base i4.
BMW is not currently offering any discounts on its Australian electric car range.
BMW iX1
All three variants of the iX1 are priced under the LCT threshold, with the range starting at $78,900 before on-roads.
The base eDrive20 xLine is the cheapest of the lot and has a claimed range of 464km, while the xDrive30 xLine and xDrive30 M Sport come with a more powerful motor and 400km of range.
The base variant has a claimed energy consumption of 15.7kWh/100km.
The two higher-spec models are both priced at $84,900 before on-road costs, and have a claimed energy consumption of 18.3kWh/100km.
BMW iX2
Both BMW iX2 variants are exempt from FBT, and are priced at $82,900 and $85,700 before on-road costs respectively.
The cheaper eDrive20 M Sport features a 67kWh battery capable of a claimed 427km of range, pushed along by a 150kW motor. It consumes 17.1kWh/100km.
The top-spec xDrive30 M Sport has the same battery capacity but a more powerful 230kW motor, meaning it has a reduced quoted range of 395km and an increased energy consumption 18.5kWh/100km.
BMW iX3
The final electric BMW available in Australia is the iX3, which sneaks under the LCT threshold in one trim.
Only the base M Sport is exempt from FBT with a price tag of $89,100 before on-roads, but it does come with a claimed 440km of range from its 80kWh battery.
The Green Vehicle Guide quotes an energy consumption of 21.6kWh/100km for the iX3, and it'll take about 32 minutes to charge from 10 to 80 per cent using a suitable DC fast charger. Maximum DC charge rate is 150kW.
BYD Atto 3
The BYD Atto 3 is available in two variants, and both are priced below the LCT threshold at $48,011 and $51,011 before on-roads respectively.
Both have a 150kW motor, but with a 60.48kWh lithium iron phosphate battery the more expensive Extended Range can go furthest with a claimed 420km.
Both variants also have a claimed energy consumption of 16.0kWh/100km.
BYD is currently offering reduced drive-away pricing on the Atto 3 Extended Range, with savings of up to $8700 on MY23 demonstrator models depending on your location. The offer is available until May 31.
BYD Dolphin
Much like the Atto 3, both BYD Dolphin variants are exempt from the FBT. There are no discounts here, though.
The base Dolphin Dynamic is priced at $38,890 before on-road costs, while the top-spec Premium comes in at $44,890 before on-roads.
The Dynamic has an energy consumption of 12.6kWh/100km, while the Premium has a larger battery, more power, and a longer claimed range of 490km with a 14.2kWh/100km energy consumption.
BYD Seal
The final BYD option on this list is the Seal, whose three-car lineup starts at $49,888 before on-road costs.
The lowest-spec Dynamic comes with a claimed range of 510km and an energy consumption of 13.8kWh/100km, while the Premium has a sizeable 650km of range and is priced at $58,798 before on-roads.
The Premium also has an energy consumption of 14.6kWh/100km.
At $68,748 before on-roads is the Performance AWD, which has a reduced 580km of claimed range but a much more powerful 390kW motor. It's got an energy consumption of 16.4kWh/100km.
Cupra Born
There's only one Cupra Born variant on offer in Australia, and it's priced at $59,990 before on-road costs.
The Green Vehicle Guide claims it'll travel 511km on its 19-inch wheels, and it has a 77kWh lithium-ion battery producing 170kW of power. With 20-inch wheels, claimed range is 475km.
The two versions have a claimed energy consumption of 17.0kWh/100km and 18.2kWh/100km respectively.
It does include four- and five-seater options, and a Born VZ will soon join the range.
Fiat 500e
The base for the Abarth 500e is the Fiat 500e, which is priced at a cheaper $52,500 before on-road costs.
Its one variant has a 42kWh battery producing 87kW of power, which gives it a claimed range of 311km. It consumes 14.4kWh/100km.
Like the Abarth it'll take around 35 minutes to reach 80 per cent of charge at 85kW, and there are no discounts currently available.
Ford Mustang Mach-E
Two Mach-E variants slip under the LCT threshold; the Select for $72,990 before on-roads, and the Premium for $86,990 before-on roads.
The Mach-E range was treated to a price cut for 2024, with the Select and Premium receiving discounts of $7000 and $4675 respectively.
The base variant has a 71kWh battery and consumes 17.8kWh/100km, while the Premium is more powerful and packs a 91kWh battery pack. It will also do a claimed 600km on a charge, and consumes 17.3kWh/100km.
GWM Ora
The quirky Ora is one of the cheapest cars on this list, with its lineup priced from $35,990 to $46,990 drive-away thanks to recent price cuts.
The Ultra and Extended Range variants have a claimed range of 420km, and feature a 63kWh battery mated with a motor producing 126kW of power. They have a claimed energy consumption of 16.5kWh/100km.
They're priced at $43,990 and $40,990 drive-away respectively, while the bottom spec Standard Range model starts at $35,990 and has 310km of quoted range.
Hyundai Ioniq 5
All non-N variants of the Ioniq 5 slip under the $90,000 mark, and the cheapest option is priced at $65,000 before on-road costs.
Standard Range versions feature a 53kWh battery pack, while Extended Range versions have a 77.4kWh battery. Rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive options are offered.
RWD Extended Range variants have a claimed range of 507km on the WLTP cycle, while the Standard range can do a claimed 384km.
The most expensive choice is the AWD Epiq at $84,000 before on-roads, which has a claimed range of 454km on the WLTP cycle.
Hyundai Ioniq 6
All variants of Hyundai's electric sedan made it on this list. It starts at $65,500 before on-road costs and climbs to $85,500 before on-roads.
The Ioniq 6 picked up new variants for 2024, and has some price increases and some decreases. There are still three distinct trim levels, with a dual-motor AWD at the top of the range.
The base model comes with 111kW of power and 350Nm of torque, while the AWD versions of the Dynamiq and Epiq boast 239kW and 605Nm.
Claimed range based on WLTP testing varies from 429km to 614km, depending on the model variant.
Hyundai Kona Electric
Hyundai offers three electric versions of its Kona SUV, and the cheapest one could be yours for $54,000 before on-road costs.
That price is for the Standard Range with a claimed WLTP range of 370km, while the Extended Range and its Premium counterpart are priced at $58,000 and $68,000 before on-roads respectively.
Hyundai claims a range of up to 505km for its most expensive options, and they have a larger battery and more power at hand.
Kia EV6
An updated Kia EV6 was just revealed, but the existing model remains on sale in Australia.
The range starts at $72,590 before on-road costs for the base Air, which is rear-wheel drive and has a 77.4kW battery and 168kW of power. It also has a claimed range of up to 528km and consumes 16.5kWh/100km.
You'll only be able to get one AWD EV6 under the LCT threshold. That's the GT-Line variant for $87,590 before on-roads. It does have a boosted 239kW of power, though.
Kia Niro EV
There are two Niro EV variants on sale right now, with the cheapest starting at $66,590 before on-road costs.
The EV S is the cheapest version, while the other carries the GT-Line badge and is priced at $72,360 before on-roads.
Both carry a quoted range of 455km from a 64.8kWh battery, along with 150kW of power and 255Nm of torque. They also have a claimed energy consumption of 15.9kWh/100km.
LDV eDeliver 7
The first van on this list comes in the form of an LDV and has four variants, kicking off at $59,990 before on-road costs for ABN holders.
Cheapest of the four is the short-wheelbase, low roof variant, with a 77kWh battery and a motor making 150kW of power and 330Nm of torque. It has a claimed WLTP range of 318km and a 1350kg payload.
The long wheelbase version is priced at $61,990 before on-roads, while the two most expensive variants come with an 88kWh battery. They're priced at $64,990 and $66,990 before on-roads respectively.
Lexus UX
The UX is the first Japanese car to appear on this list. Hybrid power is offered elsewhere in the range, while the UX300e Luxury and Sports Luxury variants are electric.
The UX300e Luxury is the cheaper of the two, priced at $80,720 before on-road costs. Both models have a 72.8kWh lithium-ion battery pack, and have a claimed range of 560km with a consumption of 12.8kWh/100km.
You'll pay $88,190 before on-roads for the top variant, making it one of the most expensive cars here.
Mercedes-Benz EQA
There are two Mercedes-Benz cars on this list, and they both straddle the LCT threshold. Only one EQA variant qualifies for the FBT exemption, and it's priced at $84,900 before on-road costs.
The EQA 250+ comes with a 70.5kWh battery pack, and a single motor making 140kW of power and 385Nm of torque. The Green Vehicle Guide quotes a range of 578km and an energy consumption of 14.1kWh/100km.
It takes 29 minutes to charge from 10 to 80 per cent using a 100kW DC fast charger.
Mercedes-Benz EQB
Only one EQB variant is exempt from the FBT in Australia. It's the EQB 250+, priced at $89,100 before on-road costs.
It has the same battery and power specs as the EQA, but a shorter quoted range of 564km – and takes around 32 minutes to charge. It has a claimed energy consumption of 14.7kWh/100km.
The EQB has the distinction of being one of very few electric seven-seat options on the market right now, but the 250+ does miss out on a dual-motor drivetrain.
MG 4
2024 MG 4 models last week received a $1000 price increase for all variants bar the XPower, but it's still one of the cheapest electric cars on the market in Australia.
The range now starts at $40,990 drive-away for the base Excite 51, which comes with a 125kW motor and is capable of a claimed 405km of range. It consumes a claimed 18.4kWh/100km.
The Long Range 77 is now $53,990 drive-away with a 180kW motor and a claimed 590km of range, while the XPower variant remains at $59,990 drive-away and packs a 320kW motor with all-wheel drive.
Those two variants consume 14.0kWh/100km and 15.2kWh/100km respectively.
MG ZS EV
The ZS EV still starts at $39,990 drive-away after pricing was reduced in March this year.
The base Excite will give you a claimed range of 360km from its 50.3kWh battery and 130kW motor, which matches the Essence variant priced at $42,990 drive-away.
For $46,990 drive-away you can pick up the Long Range variant, which comes with a 72kWh battery, 115kW of power, and a claimed 505km of range. All models have a claimed energy consumption of 17.7kWh/100km.
Mini Cooper electric
Of the full Cooper lineup there are only two electric options, and both come in below $60,000 before on-road costs.
The Cooper E is priced at $53,990 before on-road costs, which can cover a claimed 271km with a consumption of 15.0kWh/100km. It has a 41kWh battery and 135kW of power from its front-mounted motor.
The higher-spec SE Favoured comes in at $58,990 before on-roads, and boasts a larger 54kWh battery and a more powerful 160kW motor. It can do a claimed 362km and consumes 15.1kWh/100km.
Mini Countryman electric
There are six all-electric Countryman variants, and the cheapest is the E Core at $64,990 before on-road costs.
The three cheapest Countryman models are front-wheel drive and consume 17.2kWh/100km, while the three most expensive offer AWD and consume 18.3kWh/100km.
At the top of the pecking order is the Countryman SE All4 JCW Sport at $77,990 before on-roads, which offers a 230kW motor and a claimed range of 396km.
Nissan Leaf
The Leaf is one of multiple EVs to have its price slashed in Australia for the end of financial year, and is now one of the cheapest cars on this list.
Until May 31, the base Leaf is priced at $39,990 drive-away. That's down from its typical price of $50,990 before on-road costs, and you still get a claimed 311km of range from its 40kWh battery. It also consumes 17.1kWh/100km.
The top-spec e-Plus variant now costs $49,990 drive-away instead of $61,490 before on-roads. It has a bigger 62kWh battery, 160kW of power, and a claimed range of 439km. It has a claimed energy consumption of 18.0kWh/100km.
Peugeot E-2008
Peugeot makes it two in a row for electric cars that cost $39,990 drive-away, as it has dramatically reduced the price of its E-2008 for EOFY.
Typically priced at $59,990 before on-roads, the high-spec E-2008 GT has received a price cut of $20,000 for Australia, which could be even more depending on your location. The offer is available for 2023 models until June 30.
The E-2008 comes with a single, front-mounted motor producing 100kW of power and 260Nm of torque, along with a claimed range of up to 328km and an energy consumption of 16.1kWh/100km.
Peugeot E-Partner
The second van on this list is the Peugeot E-Partner, which is priced from $59,990 before on-road costs.
It has a single electric motor producing 100kW of power and 260Nm of torque, mated to a 50kWh battery with 258km of claimed range.
It's also only available in a single, long-wheelbase variant and can carry a payload of 834kg with an energy consumption of 21.8kWh/100km.
Polestar 2
The Polestar 2 received price hikes of between $3000 and $4000 across its lineup for 2024, but there's currently a significant discount available.
The range is typically priced from $67,400 to $85,400 before on-road costs, however EOFY means there are discounts of up to $15,000 available until June 9.
There are two battery options available across the Polestar 2 lineup, and claimed ranges are 625km and 525km for the single- and dual-motor variants respectively.
The single-motor option has a claimed energy consumption of 19.7kWh/100km, while the dual-motor consumes 23.4kWh/100km.
Polestar 4
There are two Polestar 4 variants arriving here in August this year, but it's only the base Single Motor that qualifies for this list.
At $81,500 before on-road costs, the base variant features a single, rear-mounted motor with 200kW of power and 343Nm of torque.
It's powered by a 94kWh nickel manganese cobalt battery with a claimed WLTP range of 600km, and is capable of DC charging at up to 200kW for a 10 to 80 per cent charge time of 30 minutes.
Renault Kangoo E-Tech
The Kangoo E-Tech is the final van here, and its two variants will set you back either $61,990 or $63,990 before on-road costs.
The short-wheelbase option is the cheaper of the two and is 4488mm long with a 423kg payload, while the long-wheelbase is 4910mm long with a payload of 668kg.
Both variants are powered by a front-mounted motor with 90kW of power and 245Nm of torque, with a claimed range of 286km and an energy consumption of 17.5kWh/100km.
Renault Megane E-Tech
Renault's electric hatch-turned-SUV is another to receive an EOFY price cut, but it's not as substantial as some of the other deals on offer.
Its sole Techno EV60 variant received a $10,000 discount to place it at $54,990 before on-roads, with the deal available until June 30.
The Megane E-Tech has a 60kWh battery with a claimed range of 454km, and consumes a claimed 15.6kWh/100km.
Subaru Solterra
Subaru's first electric car has two variants, priced at $77,990 and $83,690 before on-roads respectively.
Both produce 160kW of power and 337Nm of torque from a 71.4kWh battery, and are capable of a claimed 485km of range. They also consume a claimed 14.1kWh/100km
The Solterra can be DC fast-charged at up to 150kW, with a 20 to 80 per cent recharge taking around 30 minutes.
Tesla Model 3
The Model 3 received multiple price reductions in April, and now starts at $58,900 before on-road costs for the base RWD variant.
That's down $3000 from its original price, while the Long Range is down $4500 and now costs $67,900 before on-roads. The soon-to-arrive Performance is also at its cheapest, at $80,900 before on-roads.
Claimed range on the Green Vehicle Guide is 513km for the RWD, 629km for the Performance, and 629km for the Long Range.
Tesla Model Y
Tesla has rolled out multiple price cuts for the Model Y this year, to open the range at $60,900 before on-road costs.
That price is for the RWD, while the Long Range AWD is down $8500 and now costs $69,900 before on-roads. The Performance AWD has retained its $82,900 sticker price.
For the RWD, the Green Vehicle Guide claims an energy consumption of 14.6kWh/100km, while the Performance variant consumes 15.6kWh/100km.
The Long Range AWD can go the furthest with a claimed range of 612km and an energy consumption of 15.4kWh/100km.
MORE: Everything Tesla Model Y
Toyota bZ4X
Toyota's answer to the Model Y has two variants, and starts at $66,000 before on-roads for its front-wheel drive model.
Its AWD variant is mechanically identical to the Solterra and they all share the same 71.4kWh battery, but the FWD bZ4X has a single motor producing 150kW of power and 266Nm of torque.
The FWD has a claimed WLTP range of 436km, while the AWD option is claimed to be capable of 411km.
Volvo C40
The C40 is the first of three options on this list from Volvo, and its range starts at $78,990 before on-roads following a price hike last year.
It has two variants, with the cheapest front-wheel drive model producing 170kW of power and 330Nm of torque. It has a 69kWh battery and is capable of a claimed 445km of range with an energy consumption of 17.5kWh/100km.
The Twin features dual-motor all-wheel drive and is priced at $83,490 before on-roads, with 300kW of power and 660Nm of torque. It has a claimed range of 480km and consumes 18.5kWh/100km.
Volvo EX30
The EX30 has three variants and starts at $59,990 before on-roads, with two drivetrain variants available across the range.
They all have a 69kWh nickel manganese cobalt battery. Single motor variants have 200kW of power and 343Nm of torque, while dual-motor variants pack 315kW and 543Nm.
The single-motor has a claimed range of 462km with an energy consumption of 17.5kWh/100km, based on WLTP testing.
The dual-motor has a claimed range of 445km, with an energy consumption of 18.0kWh/100km.
Volvo XC40 Recharge
The XC40 Recharge was another Volvo to receive a price increase last year, and its single- and dual-motor variants are priced at $76,990 and $85,990 before on-roads respectively.
The rear-wheel drive XC40 Recharge Pure Electric has a 69kWh battery and produces 175kW of power, alongside a claimed range of 435km and an energy consumption of 18.3kWh/100km.
At the top of the range is the Twin Pure Electric for $85,990 before on-roads, which matches the dual-motor C40's 300kW and 660Nm. It has an 82kWh battery and has a claimed range of 485km, with a claimed energy consumption of 19.4kWh/100km.
Content originally sourced from: CarExpert.com.au
