Electrified vehicles are now the most affordable choice across a range of new car options, according to a new RAC survey.
The 2026 Car Running Costs survey tested the affordability of 85 popular cars across eight categories, considering costs such as fuel, electricity, licencing and servicing.
Chinese manufacturer BYD's electrified vehicles worked out cheapest in 50 per cent of the categories, from large SUVs to small passenger cars.
RAC Manager Vehicles and Fuels Alex Forrest said it signalled how much the Australian new car market has changed.
"The introduction of the BYD Atto 1 in December 2025 made pure electric driving more affordable than it's ever been in Australia," Mr Forrest said.
"For those in the market for a new vehicle, EVs are becoming an increasingly attractive option because there is so much more variety, at a lower price than ever before."
The average weekly cost of owning and operating a new vehicle in WA is now $346.22 a week, which is marginally more expensive than the average of $339.46 in 2025.
The cheapest car in the survey was the petrol-powered vehicle MG ZS Vibe, which cost $203.31 a week to run.
"Higher petrol prices, including diesel which is up by more than 20 cents a litre on average, contributed to higher overall running costs for most petrol and diesel vehicles," Mr Forrest said.
"One of the benefits of owning an EV is the relatively stable price of charging, which isn't subject to the same market instability as traditional vehicles."
Mr Forrest said it’s also important to consider a vehicle’s safety rating, before buying.
“Most new vehicles are packed with safety features, but not all, so it’s important to check the ANCAP rating to ensure you choose the safest vehicle for you and your family,” Mr Forrest said.
More detail on the survey and results can be found here.
| Category | Make and model | Cost (per week) | ANCAP Safety Rating |
| Small passenger | BYD Atto 1 Essential | $204.82 | 5 |
| Small SUV | MG ZS VIBE | $203.31 | 5 |
| Medium passenger | BYD Seal 6 Essential | $262.62 | 5 |
| Medium SUV | BYD Sealion 5 Essential | $255.24 | 3 |
| Large SUV | BYD Sealion 8 Dynamic | $369.99 | UNRATED* |
| Large 4x4 | Ford Everest Active | $376.04 | 5 |
| Light commercial 4x2 | Ford Ranger XL | $296.20 | 5 |
| Light commercial 4x4 | LDV T60 Max Plus | $347.85 | UNRATED** |
Calculations based on conventional finance covering 100% of on-road cost
* Newcomer to Australian market, has not yet been ANCAP tested
** Not currently rated as of Jan 2025. Models released prior to 2025 were given 5-star ratings