NZ's Most Affordable Electric Vehicle

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【Summary】The GWM Ora, previously known as the Ora Cat, is now the cheapest electric car in New Zealand with prices starting at $42,990. The price cuts put it ahead of the previous cheapest EV, the MG4 51kWh Excite. With the Clean Car Discount rebate, the Ora's effective price is $35,975, making it cheaper than the Toyota Corolla hybrid. However, the Clean Car Discount may be scrapped if the National Party forms the government.

FutureCar Staff Oct 05, 2023 9:20 AM PT

The GWM Ora, previously known as the Ora Cat, has undergone aggressive cost cuts, resulting in a new pricing structure. The New Zealand distributor of GWM has confirmed that the Ora hatchback is now priced from $42,990 for the base Standard Range model, while the flagship Long Range model is priced from $47,990.

Prior to the adjustment, the two models were priced at $47,990 and $52,990, respectively, but both prices have been reduced by $5,000. As a result, the Ora Standard Range is now the most affordable new pure electric vehicle available in New Zealand, surpassing the previous cheapest EV, the $46,990 MG4 51kWh Excite.

After factoring in the $7,015 Clean Car Discount rebate, the entry-level Ora has an effective price of $35,975, which is slightly lower than the most affordable variants of the Toyota Corolla, such as the $36,990 GX Hybrid hatch and Hybrid wagon.

It is worth noting that the National Party has pledged to eliminate the Clean Car Discount if it comes into power later this year. Therefore, the price comparisons 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, offering a WLTP-rated range of 310km. The model also features a 10.25-inch touchscreen, wireless phone charging, Apple CarPlay, faux leather upholstery, and automatic LED headlights as standard.

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, priced at $46,990, is equipped with a 51kWh battery, offering a range of up to 350km. It is powered by a single motor that generates 125kW/250Nm and has a larger boot capacity of 363L, compared to the Ora's 230L.

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 GWM Oras registered between March and August of this year, according to the Motor Industry Association.