Five things: the best Clean Car Discount deals
Tuesday, 22 June 2021
So, EVs and PHEVs are cheaper now (by $8625 and $5750 respectively) thanks to the Government’s recently announced Clean Car Discount scheme.
What does that really mean for the electrified new car buyer? Well, it means there are now some truly decent bargains around, so today we take a look at whet we reckon are the five best around.
Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus
The Tesla Model 3 was always meant to be the electric car for the masses (well, before the Model Y small SUV came along anyway). The Model 3 was originally envisaged as a sub-US$35k car in the States, but it’s never quite been as accessible here. Putting one in your driveway costs at least $69,990, and that’s before any options (there are a few).
**READ MORE:
* Quick Charge: what exactly does the Clean Car Discount mean for car buyers?
* EV rebate: the winners and losers
* Second-generation Lexus NX coming here with no combustion-only models
**
Now, though, that's down to $61,365, which is less than what a Nissan Leaf used to cost. Obviously the Leaf gets a rebate too but the point stands. A hair over $60k for what we reckon is the best Tesla out right now is insanely good value.
Peugeot e-208
In light of the rebates, Peugeot has brought the launch forward a couple of months but in limited numbers – 100, shared between the e-208 and e-2008 small SUV.
The e-208 GT will be available from $59,990 meaning, after the rebate it will be $51,365. That $13k premium over the excellent $37,990 petrol GT not only gets you all-electric running, it also gets you more power and torque – and better punch off the line – so that’s a win all round really.
Full specifications will be revealed soon, but they will largely mirror the GT variant of the petrol 208 that we already have here.
MG ZS EV
For the past year or so, MG’s ZS EV has been the cheapest new electric vehicle on sale in the country. Guess what – that hasn’t changed, but the electric ZS has dropped tantalisingly closer to a number starting with 3, at $40,365 with the rebate. That’s insane value – cheaper than a lot of combustion-powered competition.
It’s not worth getting hot and bothered about the badge being Chinese-owned either – the ZS is very well put together, has a full suite of driver assists and a battery large enough to offer 250km-plus of range. You just need to develop a thick skin to the Mazda styling comparisons.
Toyota Prius Prime
On to the plug-ins, Toyota’s Prius Prime is in a similar position as the ZS EV. It was the cheapest PHEV on the market, and still is, dropping from $49,490 to $43,740… which really highlights that MG’s pricing, but then the Prime offers Lexus-like levels of quality and comfort
If you don’t want a fully electric vehicle or an SUV, the Prius Prime is a great choice. It can run up to 60km per charge, more than enough for most daily running, and has an efficient petrol engine ready to step in if needed. It’s not exactly the sportiest option out there but it’ll go well enough, and sips fuel while doing so – Toyota claims a single litre used per 100km of driving.
Mitsubishi Outlander
Need to haul the whole family around in low-emission comfort? Look for the Outlander PHEV. It mightn’t come with seven seats like the ICE models, but it is still a roomy and comfortable 5-seat family hauler with plenty of room. Not to mention it’s still quite a handsome machine, despite an update just being around the corner.
While the entry-spec XLS PHEV is great value, the top-spec VRX priced at $59,990 before the rebate becomes just $51,365 after it, making it just $2,375 more than the equivalent diesel VRX. Which is an absolute bargain.
In fact, considering an update is just around the corner, there’s a chance the Outlander will drop even further in price as dealers look to shift stock. There aren’t any details on the new PHEV just yet but the new Outlander should be landing on our shores in the second half of this year, and Stuff was told the plug-in should be ready by around the same time.