First JAC EV heading to Australia as Chinese brand looks beyond dual-cab utes

JAC Motors is bringing a single JAC E30X to Australia to evaluate its potential alongside a growing number of small electric hatchbacks including the BYD Atto 1, which it could challenge as Australia’s cheapest electric vehicle (EV).

While it manufactures passenger vehicles including the E30X hatch, as well as SUVs and people movers, JAC has thus far only offered dual-cab utes in Australia since it launched locally in 2024 with the diesel-powered T9. This was followed by the plug-in hybrid Hunter, for which customer deliveries will commence later this year.

This ute focus appears set to change sooner rather than later, with JAC Motors Australia planning a move into passenger vehicle segments spearheaded by an off-road SUV based on the T9 ute, expected next year to rival the Ford Everest and Toyota LandCruiser Prado.

While not yet confirmed for local sale, the five-seat, five-door E30X electric hatch could become the brand’s first EV in Australian showrooms, potentially arriving as early as 2027 after the current model receives a facelift.

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“We’ve got a very small, compact E30X car that’s coming – I think it comes in about a month or so – and then I’ll get some feedback from the market and if it works then we will progress that,” JAC Motors Australia managing director Ahmed Mahmoud told CarExpert.

The E30X electric hatch was introduced in China in 2023 and, in terms of size, sits between the BYD Atto 1 already sold here and the Geely EX2 that’s due to arrive in Australia soon.

Riding on a 2630mm wheelbase, the E30X measures 4025mm long, 1770mm wide and 1560mm tall, placing it between the two rivals in size and below the recently launched GAC Aion UT.

According to CarNewsChina, slow sales of the E30X in China – where it's sold as the JAC Yiwei 3 – saw its original ¥97,900 (A$19,808) launch price from 2023 reduced to its current ¥69,900 (A$14,142), just ¥100 ($20) more than the Chinese starting price of the BYD Atto 1.

In Australia, the BYD Atto 1 starts from $23,990 before on-road costs, making it the cheapest EV currently on sale locally, though the JAC hatch could threaten that position.

The Chinese-market E30X is offered in two model grades, both featuring 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, a fixed sunroof, wireless phone charging and a 12.8-inch infotainment touchscreen, with a larger 15.6-inch display fitted to the top-spec model, which is literally badged ‘Flagship’.

Both variants use the same 100kW/175Nm front-mounted electric motor, with the base model fitted with a 41kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery, and higher-spec variants receiving a 51.5kWh pack.

Claimed range increases from 405km (CLTC) to 505km (CLTC) depending on battery specification.

For comparison, the entry-level BYD Atto 1 sold in Australia produces 65kW and offers a claimed 220km WLTP driving range from its 30kWh LFP battery, while the higher-spec variant – priced from $27,990 before on-road costs – increases outputs to 115kW and range to 310km from a 43.2kWh battery.

The E30X is being evaluated as JAC studies multiple SUVs, electric vans and even premium passenger vehicles for the Australian market.

“We’re very well progressed in the SUV ute derivatives space,” Mr Mahmoud added, referring to the expected T9-based ladder-frame SUV set to rival the Ford Everest and Toyota Prado.

“Sometime next year, we can announce that model… I have seen the car looks fantastic,” the JAC Australia boss said.

“There’s also some long-term planning around other SUVs, brand-new models that are going to be built in right-hand drive, which is open for us to explore. And we’ve got studies being done on full EV vans … I think it’ll come as the market decides.” MORE: Explore the JAC showroom