Australia’s electric vehicle war is heating up with MG launching its first fully electric car for under $40,000 with the help of rugby league stars Tom Burgess and John Sutton.
The MG4 Electric, starting at $38,990 before on-road costs, is only $100 more expensive than the BYD Dolphin, launched locally in June.
Both Chinese-made EVs are 4.3-meter-long hatchbacks.
This new MG too $5,000 cheaper than the MG ZS EV, Australia’s cheapest all-electric SUV.
But it’s $18,400 cheaper than the most affordable Tesla, Australia’s best-selling all-electric brand, and was the UK’s second most popular electric vehicle this year.
The electric vehicle war in Australia is heating up with MG launching its first fully electric car for under $40,000 with the help of rugby league stars Tom Burgess and John Sutton (left)
The MG4 Electric, starting at $38,990 before on-road costs
The base model Excite MG4 Electric has a 51 kilowatt battery with a driving range of 350 km on a single charge.
A more expensive model has a 64 kilowatt battery and up to 450 km range.
The MG4, called the MG Mulan in China, was introduced last year as a potentially much cheaper competitor to Tesla.
The MG-sponsored South Sydney Rabbitohs sent current player Burgess and former star Sutton to the Australian launch at Maroubra beach on Thursday, removing the covers at the Heffron Center sports training ground.
MG, which makes cars in China, is Australia’s seventh most popular brand in 2023 so far, ahead of Tesla in eighth.
It costs just $100 more than the BYD Dolphin, released locally in June
The MG ZS, available in EV and petrol versions, was Australia’s third most popular car in July, ahead of Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux vehicles.
The Tesla Model Y, priced at $65,400, came in fourth.
Tesla’s cheapest Model 3, with a starting price of $57,400, has made occasional appearances this year on the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s monthly top 10 list.
Battery electric vehicles had a 7 percent market share in July, but two models in the top 10, from MG and Tesla, had all-electric versions.
Chinese-made cars are the fastest growing segment with 15,853 sold in July, a massive 130 percent increase compared to the same month in 2022.
The BYD Atto 3, priced at $48,011, is gaining fans.
The Nissan Leaf, priced at $50,990, is the only affordable Japanese-made EV in Australia until Toyota releases new models.
State governments also offer generous subsidies for electric vehicles and stamp duty exemptions.
New South Wales has since 2021 offered a $3,000 rebate for cars worth up to $68,750 for personal use and a stamp duty waiver for new and used electric vehicles worth up to $78,000 as part of its climate change plan.
The Greens want to ban the sale of new gasoline and diesel cars from 2030.
This new MG (MG4 Electric interior pictured) is also $5,000 cheaper than the MG ZS EV, Australia’s cheapest all-electric SUV.
But it’s $18,400 cheaper than the more affordable Tesla (Model 3 pictured), Australia’s best-selling all-electric brand, and was the UK’s most popular EV this year.
