MG4 Excite 51 priced at $38,990 in Australia

And just like that, we’ve got our first sub $40K EV…

One of the biggest issues with EVs in Australia — and one of the most commonly heard complaints — is that they cost too much.

They’re certainly not inexpensive, and for the longest time there’s been a push for the “first” EV to hit the local market with a price tag beginning with a 3 rather than a 4, 5, 6 or higher.

Looks like MG’s just grabbed that crown — at least in terms of announcements — with a release that just hit my inbox stating that

The MG4 Excite 51 will be priced from $38,990 + on road costs

MG states that deliveries will begin in August, but you’ve got to think that this timing is also to take advantage of the soon-to-be-discontinued Victorian EV rebates.

That $38,990 (plus on road costs) is a “from” figure, so like MG’s other cars I’d expect it to jump up a little in some states. It’s reckoned to have a 350km WLTP range.

The MG4 Excite 51 probably won’t have that sub-40K space to itself all that long, mind, with BYD’s Dolphin expected to carry a similarly low(ish) price tag — and you’ve got to think that BYD Australia execs are probably running the excel spreadsheets hot right now to see if they can shave just a little more off to come across as more enticing than the MG4.

I’m still keenly waiting to get my hands on an MG4 for a test drive, but you can read about my experiences with its sibling, the MG ZS SUV here.