Before starting your search for the best EV cars in Australia, just know this:
Car ownership is quite expensive!
Even more so for salary earners. Aside from the acquisition cost, you’ve got fuel, registration, insurance, servicing.
Then, throw in interest rates on car loans. For most Australian employees, that’s a weekly hit to the back pocket.
If you’re working full-time in Adelaide or anywhere in South Australia and thinking about getting behind the wheel of an EV, a novated lease could make it super easy. You use pre-tax dollars to lease your car, meaning less tax and more take-home pay.
From experience working with over 400 employers across Australia, we’ve seen which EVs offer real long-term value. Especially when paired with salary sacrifice leasing.
Now, here’s a rundown of the best EV cars in stock in Australia for a smart novated lease in 2025.
1.Best Value Pick: Tesla Model 3 Rear-Wheel Drive
The Tesla Model 3 RWD is one of the best value electric cars in the Australian EV market.
With a starting price of $58,200 (excluding on-road costs) at Motorbuys, our partner dealership, it slips neatly under the FBT-exempt threshold ($89,332 incl. GST/LCT for 2025). That means zero fringe benefits tax when salary sacrificed, a massive saving for salaried employees.
What makes it a value winner:
- Starting price: $58,200
- Novated lease: $196.40/week
- Range: 513km WLTP
- Battery Warranty: 8 years or 160,000km
- FBT Status: FBT-exempt under novated lease rules (under ATO EV cap of $89,332 for 2024–25)
- Safety: 5-star ANCAP, autonomous emergency braking, blind spot monitoring
- Features: 15-inch touchscreen, Autopilot, Tesla mobile app, over-the-air updates
- Boot Space: 561L (with front trunk)
You also get free software upgrades and better residual values compared to most other EVs, which helps keep lease payments lower over a 3-5 year term.
It’s the ideal pick for professionals in Adelaide, Sydney or Brisbane who want tax-free driving without stepping into premium pricing.
Read More: Tesla Model 3 Review
2. Best Budget Pick: BYD Dolphin Dynamic
This is perhaps the cheapest EV in Australia with a decent range.
The BYD Dolphin Dynamic variant starts at $38,890 drive-away in South Australia. That’s before rebates and no FBT if salary sacrificed, since it’s well below the luxury EV threshold.
Why it’s budget without compromise:
- Starting price: $38,890 drive-away
- Novated lease: $148/week
- Range: 340km WLTP
- Battery Warranty: 8 years or 160,000km
- Features: Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, 12.8-inch rotating touchscreen, synthetic leather seats
- Safety Features: 5-star ANCAP, adaptive cruise control, front and rear collision warning
- Boot Space: 345L
Perfect for inner-city commuting, school runs, or Adelaide-Mt Barker daily trips. If you’re a first-time EV buyer or want to maximise tax savings on a low-cost vehicle, the Dolphin nails it.
3. Best-Selling EV in Australia: Tesla Model Y RWD
If you want the most popular electric car in Australia, this is it.
The Tesla Model Y was Australia’s #1 EV in 2024, outselling every other electric car by a wide margin. And for good reason. It blends Tesla’s clean design with SUV practicality and is fully FBT-exempt under a novated lease.
Why Australians love it:
- Starting price: $60,300.00
- Novated lease: $196.40/week
- Range: 455km WLTP
- Battery Warranty: 8 years or 160,000km
- Safety: 5-star ANCAP, collision avoidance, lane keep assist
- Boot Space: 854L (rear) + 117L (front)
- Features: Tesla App control, Dog Mode, over-the-air updates
Starting around $60,300 starting price (excluding on-road costs), it’s eligible for tax-free leasing and has one of the highest resale values among EVs. This makes it a clever leasing option for employees who want long-term cost control.
4. Best Electric Hatch: MG4 Excite 51kWh
The MG4 is the underdog hatchback that’s hard to beat.
The Excite 51kWh variant comes in at $44,990 drive-away, putting it firmly in the sweet spot for FBT-free novated leasing. With surprising performance and sharp styling, it’s made for urban drivers who want EV perks without spending Tesla dollars.
Why the MG4 Excite stands out:
- Starting from: $44,990 drive-away
- Novated lease: $166/week
- Range: 350km WLTP
- Battery Warranty: 7 years or unlimited km
- Safety: 5-star ANCAP, traffic jam assist, autonomous emergency braking
- Tech: 10.25-inch infotainment, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
- Build Quality: Strong for the price point, with a quiet cabin and good drive feel
This hatch has enough boot space (363L) for weekend escapes and low servicing costs, making it ideal for young professionals or public sector workers looking to salary package a daily driver.
5. Best Mid-Range Luxury: Polestar 2 Standard Range Single Motor
The Polestar 2 isn’t trying to be flashy, but it’s designed for people who appreciate solid performance and understated elegance. As Volvo’s EV sibling, it’s safe, tech-savvy, and FBT-free if you choose the standard variant.
Spec details:
- Price: From $63,990 before on-road costs
- Novated lease: $222/week
- Range: 546km WLTP (2025 facelift model)
- Battery Warranty: 8 years or 160,000km
- Interior: Vegan leather, minimalistic dash, Google native OS
- Safety: Pilot Assist, Run-Off Road Mitigation, 360° camera
- Boot Space: 405L rear + 35L front
Drivers who spend a lot of time commuting or need a premium-feel cabin without heading into luxury tax territory will appreciate how well the Polestar balances value and feel.
6. Best Tech + Comfort: Hyundai Ioniq 5 Dynamiq RWD
This car looks like the future, and drives like it too.
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 Dynamiq is packed with top-tier features, ultra-fast charging, and the most comfortable EV cabin at this price point. Starting at around $72,000 drive-away, it slides under the FBT exemption cap, making it a dream pick for senior professionals’ salary sacrificing.
What makes it a standout:
- Starting price: $72,000
- Novated lease: $237/week
- Range: Up to 507km WLTP (RWD variant)
- Charging: 800V ultra-fast charging (10% to 80% in under 18 minutes)
- Battery Warranty: 8 years or 160,000km
- Interior: Reclining front lounge seats, sliding centre console, ambient lighting
- Tech: 12.3” digital cluster + 12.3” infotainment, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
- Boot Space: 527L rear + 57L front
Great for remote workers, long-haul commuters, or anyone who wants to drive something that’s way more than a car. It’s a true head-turner with long-term novated lease benefits.
How Novated Leasing Makes EVs More Affordable
A novated lease is basically a three-way agreement between you, your employer, and the leasing company.
You get a new EV, and the payments, including rego, insurance, tyres, and servicing, come out of your salary before tax.
What that means:
- You pay less income tax
- You don’t need a deposit
- You’re exempt from FBT if the EV meets ATO rules
- You get one neat monthly deduction instead of scattered bills
If you’re on $90k and lease something like a Tesla Model 3, your take-home savings can be several thousand a year, plus you avoid upfront purchase stress.
How to Set Up a Novated Lease for an EV
Here’s what the process usually looks like:
- Choose your EV: New, under $91,387, and FBT-exempt
- Get a quote: Request a quote from Vehicle Solutions and we’ll estimate your tax savings
- Sort your docs: Payslip, license, ID
- Sign off: All done online
- Take delivery: Direct from the dealer or picked up in-store
If you’ve already got your employer on board, the whole thing can be done in a week or two.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are all EVs eligible for salary sacrifice?
Only new battery electric vehicles (BEVs), hydrogen fuel cell EVs, or plug-in hybrids used after July 1, 2022, and priced under the luxury car tax threshold are FBT-exempt.
What’s the current luxury car tax threshold?
As of 2025, it’s $89,332 for fuel-efficient vehicles. If you go above that, you lose your FBT exemption.
Can I lease a used electric car?
Technically yes, but used EVs aren’t FBT-exempt and miss out on key tax perks. For best value, go new.
How much can I save?
Depends on your salary and car. But savings can range from $4,000 to $9,000 per year when you factor in tax, rego, insurance, and charging.
What if I leave my job during the lease?
You can take the lease with you to a new employer if they support novated leasing. You can also convert it to a personal lease.
Start Driving an EV with a Smart Payment Plan
You don’t need to be rich to drive an electric car. With novated leasing, you’re paying smarter, saving tax, and covering all your car costs upfront, without coughing up thousands out of pocket.
And with EVs like the BYD Dolphin, Tesla Model 3, and Hyundai Ioniq 5 now qualifying for the FBT exemption, you’ve got more choice than ever.
At Vehicle Solutions, we’ve been helping Australian employees access better car finance for over 40 years.
We now support over 280 employers nationwide, and we keep the process simple, fast, and competitive.
Want to check what you’d save?
Call us on (08) 8338 4427 or get started online.
