GWM Ora electric hatch now Australia’s cheapest EV

February 9, 2023March 13, 2023 Toby Hagon 3872 Views

The GWM Ora has gone on sale in Australia priced from $44,490 drive-away – but only in the Northern Territory.

GWM set a price of $43,990 before on-road costs for its new Ora five-door electric hatchback, which in its homeland of China is known as the Good Cat and in Europe is called the Funky Cat.

Rather than establish Ora as its own brand, the Chinese manufacturing giant decided to bring it under the GWM banner, as it has done with its Haval SUVs and upcoming Tank off-road wagons.

Once dealer delivery and on-road costs are included it adds between $500 and $3901 to the GWM Ora, depending on where you live.

Pricing for the GWM Ora varies across the country, ranging up to $47,891 in Western Australia, where local taxes make it more expensive.

Still, that makes it the most affordable EV on the market following the recent price rises for the MG ZS EV and BYD Atto 3.

However, as with most parts of the countries, there are rebates available for more affordable EVs; West Australians can get $3500 back after purchase.

Once the state and territory rebates are taken into account the GWM Ora is most affordable in NSW, where it will end up costing a buyer as little as $42,550 (the drive-away price is $45,550 and eligible buyers can receive a $3000 rebate).

That circa-$46K spend is for the Ora Standard Range, which gets a 48kWh battery with 310km of WLTP range.

It has a single electric motor driving the front wheels and producing up to 126kW and 250Nm.

Charging can be done at up to 11kW using an AC charger or 64kW on a DC connection, the latter able to charge from 10 to 80 percent in 41 minutes.

At 4235mm long, 1825mm wide and 1603mm high the Ora is shorter but wider than a Toyota Corolla hatch and sits slightly higher than it.

But clever takes advantage of the compact electric drive components by maximising cabin space.

Standard equipment includes 18-inch alloy wheels, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and 10.25-inch central infotainment screen, fake leather seats, electric driver’s seat, wireless phone charging, 360-degree camera and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.

Safety gear includes seven airbags, autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with cyclist and pedestrian protection, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, rear cross traffic alert, speed sign recognition, driver monitoring and blind spot warning.

The GWM Ora Extended Range is about $4000 more and gets a larger 63kWh battery claimed to provide 420km of WLTP range.

There’s also an Ora GT model for about $5500 more (around $56,000 drive-away, depending on where you buy it) that uses the Extended Range battery and adds a unique grille and bumpers, different 18-inch wheels, red brake calipers, panoramic sunroof, heated steering wheel and powered tailgate.

	Ora Standard Range	Ora Extended Range	Ora GT
NSW	$45,550	$49,550	$55,050
Victoria	$47,234	$51,402	$57,138
Queensland	$46,114	$50,194	$55,804
South Australia	$46,891	$51,051	$56,771
Western Australia	$47,891	$52,403	$58,405
ACT	$45,137	$49,137	$54,637
Tasmania	$45,090	$49,090	$54,590
Northern Territory	$44,490	$48,490	$54,125