I'm from AUS too, have you considered importing a smaller EV directly from Japan? It's a pretty easy process, and the options are starting to get really great and most are sub 40k AUD. The new Leaf looks really great, they've dropped the "Bubbly EV" aesthetic and it just looks like a regular hatchback now.

Check this, https://www.j-spec.com.au/lineup/all/Leaf/ZE1/id-D49

Then click "See prices", they're importing for around 30k AUD (which includes all shipping costs and compliance).

For me I still need a bit of extra range for inter-city trips (for those playing at home, that's thousands of KMs per trip), so I am looking at a Nissan Note Nismo, which is a series hybrid (electric drivetrain with a tiny petrol generator).

The main problem with the Leaf these days is that it's CHAdeMO whereas Australia has moved to CCS Type 2 Combo. Most fast chargers still have CHAdeMO plugs, but you'd be better off with a CCS car.

If you know for sure that you'll only be doing city driving and you won't need fast charging then it doesn't matter as much.

You're in luck, the BYD Dolphin should be launching soon in Australia for <$40k and probably 300km range.

The car you're looking for is a used 2015 Nissan Leaf. Absolute top-tier city driving car.

That seems to be at least a $22000 car. (cheapest one for sale right now: https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/details/2015-nissan-leaf-az... )

How on earth is that worth it when a similar era e.g. mazda 3 is $13000?

They're stupid inflated right now. Pre pandemic, they were selling for ~7500 used in the US.

I kick myself every day for not pulling the trigger when they were that cheap. That's less than some higher-tier electric bikes!

> They're stupid inflated right now. Pre pandemic, they were selling for ~7500 used in the US.

Some stats indicate that second hand car prices are plummeting at the moment now that supply chains are normalising. I suspect this won't extend to electric cars which kind of have their own supply-side problems though!

$9000 is a couple of years of fuel for a lot of people. Other incentives (cheaper rego, no FBT, etc) may apply to you depending on your position/state.

You're also likely to spend significantly less in maintenance due to simpler systems with less wearable parts.

In Australia you can get a 2012 Leaf for about 20k; typically about 100km range at that age. A 2017 Leaf is closer to 30k and is a nicer drive with more like 150km range.

I have heard concerns about the Leaf around it using air cooling for batteries and how they fare in very hot climates (34 degrees C here right now).

I have a mate with a Leaf and have been meaning to ask him how it's going. But definitely keeping an eye on them.

Do they sell the Mini Electric there? US pricing is 34K which is about 50K AUS. Range wise it's 185km. I have a friend here in the US with one and she loves it.

$50k for a car with 185km range vs $60k for a base Tesla with 430km range. I don't see the value proposition there.

Some plug-in hybrids seem to fit into that range bracket, and because they have a smaller battery than a fully electric car are at a lower price point.

Take a look at the older Ioniq (28kW and 38kW models).

They look like "normal" cars (since the same body was used for their PHEV version) and aren't that expensive.

The one with the smaller battery can do ~150-200km reliably, but charges really fast. The bigger battery one does an easy 250km in the summer, but has a hobbled charging speed.

I think so too, but Mazda MX-30 EV (matches the category, but not very cheap) was heavily bashed by who want longer range EV. People should understand that long range isn't required for every EVs.

LCT is over $85k for EVe, so it doesn't fit into that territory.

A model 3 standard is $60k and the savings for most people on fuel is why you see them everywhere.

MG have a car for $45k that fits your requrements though.