If you’ve been waiting for the “tipping point” in the Australian electric vehicle market, stop waiting. We are living in it. The week of December 19, 2025, will likely go down in automotive history as the moment the “Electric Vehicle Premium” finally evaporated.

For years, the hurdle was always the $50,000 barrier. Then it was the $40,000 barrier. This week, we didn’t just break the $30,000 barrier—we shattered it. With the official arrival of the BYD Atto 1 in local showrooms and the bombshell confirmation of the Geely EX2 for 2026, the Australian “Price War” has shifted from a skirmish into an all-out battle for your driveway.

At EV Evolution, we don’t just track prices; we track progress. And right now, the progress is moving faster than a Ludicrous-mode launch. Here is your roundup of the best drive-away deals across the country this week.

🥊 The New Heavyweight: BYD Atto 1 (The Sub-$25K Revolution)

The biggest news of the week is undoubtedly the BYD Atto 1 (known globally as the Seagull). After months of speculation, the first shipments have landed at Australian ports.

• The Sticker Shock: The Atto 1 Essential is officially priced at $23,990 plus on-road costs.
• The Drive-Away Reality: Depending on your state (and its respective stamp duty and registration fees), you are looking at a drive-away price of roughly $25,800 to $26,500.

Let’s put that in perspective: A petrol-powered Toyota Yaris Ascent Sport is currently retailing for over $30,000 drive-away. The Atto 1 isn’t just “cheap for an EV”—it is now one of the cheapest new cars in Australia, period.

Is it a “real” car? Absolutely. With a 30kWh Blade battery and a 220km WLTP range, it’s the ultimate urban commuter. For those with “range anxiety,” the Premium variant ($27,990 + ORCs) bumps the battery to 43.2kWh, giving you a healthy 310km of range—plenty for a week of Sydney or Melbourne traffic.

🛡️ The Challenger: Geely EX2 (The “Star Wish” Arrives)

Just as BYD was taking its victory lap, Geely decided to crash the party. On December 16, 2025, Geely officially confirmed that the EX2 compact hatch will land in Australia in the second half of 2026.

In China, this car (the Xingyuan) has been an absolute juggernaut, selling over 400,000 units in its first year.

• The Strategy: Geely is the parent company of Volvo and Polestar, so expect the EX2 to feel significantly more “premium” inside than its price tag suggests.
• The Target: While local pricing won’t be finalized until closer to launch, industry insiders expect Geely to target a sub-$30,000 drive-away price to go head-to-head with the BYD Dolphin and the Atto 1.

The EX2 brings a “playful” aesthetic—think pastel colors and a tech-heavy cabin with a 14.6-inch screen. If you aren’t in a rush to buy this week, the Geely EX2 is the reason you might want to hold your breath until early 2026.

🚙 The SUV Showdown: Who Wins the Family Vote?

While the hatchbacks are fighting over the “cheapest” title, the real volume is in the Small SUV segment. This week, we’ve seen some aggressive moves to clear 2025 stock.

EV Evolution Insight: The BYD Atto 2 (launched alongside the Atto 1 this month) is the one to watch. At ~$34,000 drive-away, it undercuts the petrol Kia Seltos and Mazda CX-30. We are no longer asking people to “pay more to go green.” We are asking them to pay less to go better.

📉 Why are prices dropping now?

It feels like every time we refresh the page, a new discount appears. There are three main drivers for this week’s price carnage:

1. Inventory Clearing: Manufacturers are clearing 2025-plate stock to make room for the 2026 “facelift” models (like the Tesla Model Y ‘Juniper’).
2. The “China Surge”: Production capacity in China has reached a point where brands like BYD and Geely can achieve economies of scale that European legacy brands simply can’t touch.
3. FBT Exemption Sunset Fears: With the federal government’s FBT exemption for PHEVs already phased out, there is a massive push to get buyers into BEVs (Battery Electric Vehicles) before any potential changes to the pure-EV incentives in the 2026 budget.

🇦🇺 State of the Nation: The Best Deals by State

Drive-away pricing is a moving target because every Australian state plays by different rules.

• Queensland: Remains a stronghold for EV value. With some of the lowest registration costs and a lingering (though diminished) pro-EV sentiment, Brisbane buyers are seeing the sharpest Atto 1 deals.
• New South Wales: With the removal of the $3,000 rebate in 2024, the “deal” in NSW is now found in the FBT Exemption. If you are a salary packager, a $25,000 Atto 1 can cost you less than a coffee a day.
• Western Australia: The “ZEV Subsidy” is still providing a $3,500 buffer for many, making the Atto 1 effectively under $23,000 drive-away for eligible residents. This is currently the cheapest place in the Western world to buy a new electric car.

🏁 EV Evolution Verdict: The Year of the “Value” EV

At EV Evolution, we’ve spent the last few years talking about “High Tech” and “High Range.” But the theme of late 2025 is clearly “High Value.”

The “Price War” isn’t a race to the bottom in terms of quality; it’s a race to the masses. When you can buy a car like the Atto 1 for $25k, the excuses for staying with petrol start to look very flimsy. You get V2L (Vehicle-to-Load) to run your camping gear, you get a 5-star safety rating, and you get to bypass the petrol station forever.

Who is winning the price war today? Right now, BYD has the crown. They have the cheapest hatch (Atto 1), the cheapest SUV (Atto 2), and the most established dealer network. But with Geely, Leapmotor, and Chery all launching sub-$40k models this month, the crown is a heavy one.

🤖 Join the Evolution: Get Your Local Quote

Price drops happen in real-time, and “Drive-Away” means something different in Hobart than it does in Darwin. Don’t guess—get the data.

Ask the Chatbot today:

• “Find the current cheapest drive-away price for an EV in [Your State] today.”
• “What are the latest dealer delivery charges for the BYD Atto 1 in Melbourne?”
• “Compare the drive-away price of the MG4 vs. BYD Dolphin in Perth.”
• “List all EVs currently available for under $35,000 drive-away in Brisbane.”

About EV Evolution

EV Evolution is the leading online platform dedicated to Australian electric vehicle owners and enthusiasts. We foster a vibrant community, delivering essential EV news and insights, and enhancing user engagement through our innovative, AI-powered chatbot for dynamic discussions. Our mission is to empower Australian electric vehicle owners and enthusiasts by fostering a vibrant, AI-driven online community that connects, informs, and advances the nation’s electric vehicle landscape.