More affordable new GAC Aion UT variant to be one of Australia's cheapest EVs

A more affordable version of the GAC Aion UT electric hatchback is set to undercut the model's current $31,990 starting price when it joins the Chinese brand's Australian lineup later this year.

GAC Australia has confirmed a new lower-priced model grade is scheduled to arrive by the end of 2026, but has revealed little else, including its equipment levels or pricing.

The Aion UT rivals the BYD Dolphin, which starts at $29,990 before on-road costs, as well as the MG4 Urban, which arrived in Australia in April 2026 priced from $31,990 plus on-roads.

News of a more affordable Aion UT comes as the Geely EX2 joins the electric hatch battle, priced from $26,490 plus ORCs, albeit with a less powerful motor and shorter range than the Aion UT.

Australia's cheapest electric vehicle (EV) is currently the BYD Atto 1 hatch, priced from $23,990 plus ORCs – a price the cheaper new Aion UT variant is unlikely to undercut.

The current entry-level UT is powered by a front-mounted 150kW/210Nm electric motor, with a 60kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery enabling a claimed 430km WLTP range.

The same powertrain is used by the higher-spec Luxury grade, which adds a panoramic sunroof, powered mirrors and tailgate, a ventilated driver’s seat, and wireless phone charging for an additional $4000.

In China, the Aion UT is offered with a lower-output 100kW/145Nm powertrain, potentially providing an option for the cheaper version planned for Australia.

Prices for the lower-output model start at ¥73,000 (A$15,558) in China, where the Geely EX2 is priced from ¥65,800 (A$13,872). The higher-output 150kW Aion UT is not sold in China and is reserved for export markets.

The Chinese-market model is offered with three battery sizes ranging from 32.2kWh to 44.1kWh, with claimed ranges of between 320km and 420km under the more generous CLTC testing standard.

Regardless of whether Australia's cheaper Aion UT comes with the 100kW powertrain or retains its current 150kW setup, it will still be more powerful than several of its closest rivals.

The price-leading Geely EX2 Complete has a 60kW/150Nm electric motor driving the rear wheels, fed by a 35.3kWh LFP battery, for a claimed 252km WLTP range.

The higher-spec EX2 Inspire uses a more powerful 85kW/150Nm motor and larger 47.1kWh LFP battery to extend range to 345km WLTP. It is priced at $30,990 before on-road costs.

Meantime the sub-$24k BYD Atto 1 Essential produces 65kW/175Nm and offers a 220km WLTP range from its 30kWh battery, and the Atto 1 Premium ($27,990 plus ORCs) makes 115kW/220Nm and has a 43kWh battery offering 310km of WLTP range.

The MG4 Urban offers WLTP ranges of 316km and 405km across its two grades, while the BYD Dolphin offers 340km and 427km.

The Atto 1 leads the electric hatch sales battle with 3536 sales year-to-date, ahead of the same brand's Dolphin (2716), although the MG4 Urban outsold the latter in July, with 666 deliveries compared with 401 for the BYD.

The Aion UT arrived as GAC’s fourth model in Australian showrooms in April 2026, after the brand was launched locally in November 2025 with the Emzoom small SUV, the Aion V mid-size electric SUV, and the M8 plug-in hybrid (PHEV) people mover.

The company has committed to introducing multiple SUVs here, which may include the Range Rover-inspired, Toyota Kluger-rivalling S7 large PHEV SUV displayed at its Australian brand launch last year. GAC has also confirmed plans to introduce a dual-cab ute to Australia sometime in 2027.

The fledgling Chinese auto brand appeared in VFACTS sales figures for the first time in July 2026, when it posted 1008 sales for the month, which would extrapolate to an annualised rate of more than 12,000 vehicles.

The company previously told CarExpert it sold around 4000 vehicles in the first six months of this year, exceeding its internal targets.

MORE: Explore the Aion UT showroom