RANKED BY ELECTRICITY COST · CHECKED 22 OCTOBER 2026
Cheapest electric cars to run, ranked by energy cost
Among our 32 sourced configurations, the Tesla Model 3 Long Range RWD (18-inch) (2025) has the lowest calculated electricity cost at the common home rate: $4.14 per 100 km, or $10.36 for 250 km.
This ranks charging energy cost, rather than purchase price or total ownership cost. Every row uses the same Ausgrid NSW reference tariff, displayed as 33.1c/kWh including GST. The full published rate is retained in the calculations. Your electricity plan, charging access and actual energy use can change the cost.
Compare electricity cost per 100 km
The chart and table use the vehicle energy figures in our source register. Their calculated range is $4.14 to $6.40 per 100 km at this one rate. They cover the listed configurations and release years, not every EV currently sold in Australia.
Certified consumption and one tariff held constant. This chart compares energy costs, excluding ownership and installation.
| Rank | Vehicle / release year | Wh/km | Electricity / 100 km | Electricity / 250 km week |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tesla Model 3 Long Range RWD (18-inch) · 2025 | 125 | $4.14 | $10.36 |
| 2 | BYD Dolphin Dynamic · 2023 | 126 | $4.18 | $10.44 |
| 3 | MG4 64 kWh RWD · 2023 | 130 | $4.31 | $10.77 |
| 4 | Hyundai Kona Electric 150 kW · 2021 | 131 | $4.34 | $10.85 |
| 5 | Tesla Model 3 RWD (H6LRB) · 2023 | 132 | $4.37 | $10.94 |
| 6 | BYD Seal Dynamic · 2023 | 138 | $4.57 | $11.43 |
| 7 | Zeekr X RWD (2024 release) · 2024 | 139 | $4.61 | $11.52 |
| 8 | Zeekr 7X RWD · 2025 | 147 | $4.87 | $12.18 |
| 9 | BYD Atto 3 Standard · 2022 | 148 | $4.90 | $12.26 |
| 10 | BYD Atto 3 Extended · 2022 | 149 | $4.94 | $12.34 |
| 10 | Kia EV3 Air Long Range · 2025 | 149 | $4.94 | $12.34 |
| 10 | Kia EV3 Air Standard Range · 2025 | 149 | $4.94 | $12.34 |
| 13 | Tesla Model Y RWD · 2025 | 153 | $5.07 | $12.67 |
| 14 | BYD Atto 1 Essential · 2025 | 155 | $5.14 | $12.84 |
| 15 | Hyundai Ioniq 5 Standard Range (19-inch) · 2024 | 156 | $5.17 | $12.92 |
| 16 | Skoda Enyaq Coupe Sportline 85 (MY27) · 2026 | 157 | $5.20 | $13.01 |
| 17 | Geely EX5 Complete · 2025 | 158 | $5.24 | $13.09 |
| 17 | Polestar 2 Standard Range Single Motor · 2025 | 158 | $5.24 | $13.09 |
| 19 | Skoda Enyaq Select 60 (MY27) · 2026 | 159 | $5.27 | $13.17 |
| 19 | Xpeng G6 Standard Range (18-inch) · 2024 | 159 | $5.27 | $13.17 |
| 21 | Skoda Enyaq Sportline 85 (MY27) · 2026 | 162 | $5.37 | $13.42 |
| 22 | Leapmotor C10 Style/Design BEV · 2025 | 163 | $5.40 | $13.50 |
| 22 | Volkswagen ID.4 Pro (MY27) · 2026 | 163 | $5.40 | $13.50 |
| 24 | BYD Seal Performance · 2023 | 164 | $5.43 | $13.59 |
| 25 | GWM Ora Standard Range · 2023 | 167 | $5.53 | $13.83 |
| 26 | Skoda Elroq Select 60 (MY27) · 2026 | 169 | $5.60 | $14.00 |
| 27 | Skoda Elroq Select 85 (MY27) · 2026 | 172 | $5.70 | $14.25 |
| 27 | Volkswagen ID.4 GTX (MY27) · 2026 | 172 | $5.70 | $14.25 |
| 29 | Volvo EX30 Single Motor · 2024 | 175 | $5.80 | $14.50 |
| 30 | Kia EV5 Air Long Range (18-inch) · 2024 | 180 | $5.96 | $14.91 |
| 31 | Polestar 4 Long Range Single Motor · 2025 | 184 | $6.10 | $15.24 |
| 32 | BYD Sealion 7 Premium · 2026 | 193 | $6.40 | $15.99 |
Each vehicle name links to its original energy source. Equal calculated costs share a rank. Sorting uses the exact calculation, so close costs can display the same cents without being an exact tie.
How the ranking works
Wh/km measures the source energy figure for each kilometre. Divide by 1,000 to get kWh/km, then multiply by distance and the electricity price. At a common tariff, a lower Wh/km figure uses less electricity for the same distance. The 250 km weekly column is 2.5 times the 100 km cost, calculated before rounding.
Cost per 100 km = Wh/km ÷ 1,000 × 100 × electricity c/kWh ÷ 100
The figures are certified or manufacturer-sourced comparison inputs, not road tests of every car on the same route. Wheels, model variant and release year matter. Weather, speed, terrain and air conditioning can change real energy use. We do not automatically add a charging-loss factor because the measurement boundary of the source figure must be checked first.
Use your own electricity price
Ausgrid is one NSW distribution zone. Other NSW zones and the other states and territories have different references and conditions. This ranking does not claim that every household can obtain the chosen tariff. Find your actual usage rate on your bill, then enter it in the calculator with your expected distance and vehicle.
At a common price and unchanged energy inputs, another flat tariff changes the dollar amounts while keeping the order. Different charging mixes, public fees, solar access or real-world consumption can change an individual comparison. The calculator lets you adjust those assumptions instead of treating this table as a personal quote.
Surplus solar is valued at the export income forgone. Public charging needs the charger’s current price and fees. A low overnight EV rate may also have higher daily supply or daytime charges, so compare the full household bill before changing plans.
What this does not rank
The cheapest charging energy does not establish the cheapest car to buy or own. Purchase price, finance, insurance, registration, tyres, servicing, depreciation and charger installation are outside the table. The existing household daily supply charge is excluded. This is an energy-only ranking, with no payback or tax-saving estimate.
For your next comparison, use the vehicles you would actually consider and your likely charging mix. Compare the weekly EV and petrol energy costs. If you are considering salary packaging, read the current and proposed FBT rules; advertised vehicle price alone cannot determine eligibility.
Sources checked 22 October 2026: 2026–27 Ausgrid reference tariff and the individual vehicle links above. Open the source register or read the calculation method.