NZ gets a new affordable electric vehicle

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【Summary】The GWM Ora, formerly known as the Ora Cat, is now the cheapest electric car in New Zealand, priced from $42,990. The price cuts make it the most affordable new pure electric vehicle in the country, even cheaper than the Toyota Corolla hybrids. However, the future of the Clean Car Discount rebate, which reduces the effective price of the Ora, is uncertain. The Ora comes in two models with different battery sizes and ranges, both equipped with standard features and awarded a 5-star safety rating.

FutureCar Staff Oct 04, 2023 11:15 PM PT

NZ gets a new affordable electric vehicle

The GWM Ora, previously known as the Ora Cat, has undergone aggressive cost cuts, positioning it as a leading contender in the affordable electric car market.

GWM's local distributor has confirmed that the Ora hatchback now starts at $42,990 for the base Standard Range model, while the flagship Long Range model is priced at $47,990.

Previously, the two models were priced at $47,990 and $52,990, respectively, before receiving a $5,000 price reduction.

With these adjustments, the Ora Standard Range now holds the title of the cheapest new pure electric vehicle available in New Zealand, surpassing the previous cheapest option, the $46,990 MG4 51kWh Excite.

After factoring in the $7,015 Clean Car Discount rebate, the entry-level Ora effectively costs $35,975, making it slightly more affordable than the least expensive variants of the Toyota Corolla, such as the $36,990 GX Hybrid hatch and Hybrid wagon.

However, it's important to note that the National Party has promised to eliminate the Clean Car Discount if it comes into power later this year, which means the price comparison between the Ora and other sub-$40,000 internal combustion engine cars may only be temporary.

The Ora Standard Range is equipped with a 48kWh li-ion battery that offers a WLTP-rated range of 310km. Its standard features include a 10.25-inch touchscreen, wireless phone charging, Apple CarPlay, faux leather upholstery, and automatic LED headlights.

On the other hand, the Long Range model comes with a larger 63kWh battery, providing a more generous range of 420km on the WLTP cycle. Both models are powered by a single electric motor that produces 126kW/250Nm and have received a 5-star safety rating from ANCAP.

In comparison, the entry-level MG4 Excite is priced at $46,990 and features a 51kWh battery, a range of up to 350km, a single motor generating 125kW/250Nm, and a larger boot capacity of 363L.

It's worth noting that the Ora's sub-$40,000 pricing after the rebate may only be temporary if New Zealand elects a new government.

Despite being on sale for just over a month, the MG4 has already surpassed the Ora in terms of popularity. In September alone, 250 MG4s were registered, surpassing the 129 registrations of the GWM Ora between March and August of this year, according to the Motor Industry Association.