3 Sub-RM150K Starter EVs to Seriously Consider in 2023

The year 2022 has seen plenty of electric vehicles (EVs) launching officially into our local market, signifying an increasing demand for electromobility in this country. From niche EV brands to well-renowned automakers, the prospect of owning an EV in Malaysia is getting better and brighter, thanks to the plethora of choices to choose from.

However, most folks are somewhat still sceptical about buying one of the many EVs that came out this year, in spite of the fact that bulk of them are manufactured by famed auto brands. Citing range anxiety and lack of EV-specific ecosystem like charging facilities as some of the driving factors in preventing them to buy an EV, no other factor can carry such gravitas in preventing said purchase, than the rather hefty price tag these EVs came with.

Well, fret not, as we at Caricarz.com have put an extra effort in scouring through the database to list out three possible candidates that are more than worthy to become your first-ever electric vehicle. To make things more accessible, we’ve constrained ourselves with a reasonable budget of not more than RM150,000 – as we think this price point is relatively affordable, especially considering the higher prices some new EVs can fetch.

So, if you’re in the market for an affordable yet reliable car as your first-ever EV, then may we present you with these three potential candidates. Should our RM150,000 mark is a tad bit low to you, perhaps this top 3 sub-RM300,000 EV list might be more suiting with your tax bracket...

1. BYD Atto 3 – RM149,800 (Standard Range)

Kicking-off our affordable EVs list is one of the newest entrants in the Malaysian EV market space, the BYD Atto 3. BYD, stands for ‘Build Your Dreams’, is a China-based EV brand that has a very reputable background in churning up some of the most affordable EVs with reliable range, notable performance, as well as ‘liveable’ design.

Focusing on the Standard Range variant, the Atto 3 boasts a healthy-sized 49.9-kWh battery pack that supports both AC and DC charging at 7 kW and 70 kW rates respectively. This, in turn, supplies the Atto 3 with a claimed maximum travel range of 410 KM – the highest amongst the three candidates. Propelling this five-seater EV SUV is a front-mounted single motor setup rated at 201 HP and 310 NM that grants it a nought to 100 KM/H sprint finish in 7.3 seconds.

In terms of design, the Atto 3 features a rather typical SUV-looking stance and silhouette. Measuring 4,455 MM long and a wheelbase of 2,720 MM, the Atto 3 sits in the middle between the B-segment SUVs like the Honda HR-V, and mid-sized C-SUVs like the Proton X70. The front part comes with LED headlights with adaptive functions, while the Atto 3 rides on 17-inch wheels with unique propeller design.

Inside the Atto 3 lies a rather roomy cabin space that can seat five passengers comfortably. Crowing its front dash is a massive 12.8-inch rotatable infotainment display with voice assistant functions, Apple Carplay and Android Auto connectivity, as well as built-in sat-nav system. Standard safety features such as Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Blind Spot Detection (BSD), Front and Rear Collision Warning (FCW & RCW) come standard in the Atto 3.

The BYD Atto 3 Standard Range commands a rather tempting and affordable price of RM149,800, thanks to the current EV tax incentives by the government. Said price is inclusive of a 5-year or 150,000 KM vehicle warranty, an 8-year or 160,000 KM of battery warranty, as well as an 8-year or 150,000 KM warranty for its EV driving unit. 

For a limited time, Sime Darby Beyond Auto (SDBA), BYD’s local distributing arm, offers an additional home wallbox charger for any purchase of the BYD Atto 3, plus a free charging credit worth about RM1,000.

2. GWM Ora Good Cat – RM139,800 (400 Pro)

Next in-line is the GWM Ora Good Cat. As the name suggests, GWM, or Great Wall Motor, is yet another EV brand to hail from the People’s Republic. Marketed as a funky-looking compact urban-dwelling EV, the Ora Good Cat commands rather punchy performance numbers, as well as a competitive price tag compared to its segment rivals.

Sticking with the 400 Pro variant, this Good Cat harnesses a surprisingly sizable 47.8-kWh Lithium Iron Phosphate battery pack under its rather small-looking belly. Paired with a front-mounted single motor setup that outputs 141 HP and 201 NM, GWM claims the Ora Good Cat is capable of up to 400 KM maximum travel range. This, in all, grants the Ora Good Cat a nought to 100 KM/H sprint finish in about 7.9 seconds.

What stands out the most compared to its rival is the fun-looking exterior design that revolves around the feline it shares the name with. Matching against this cat-themed design is the equally-funky colour scheme options of three single-tone hues plus another three dual-tone options. To add, this fun-cat rides on a tasty set of five-spoke 18-inch alloy wheels.

Equally fun-looking is the Cat’s faux leather-laden innards, alongside some suede trims. These two materials are finished in a two-toned hue of either green-grey or beige-brown. Its front dash houses a dual screen setup, consisting of the 7-inch driver’s display and the bigger 10.25-inch infotainment display. What’s special about the Good Cat is the presence of Level 2+ semi-autonomous driving abilities that matches well with its full swing of advanced driver assistance system (ADAS).

Highlights include Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Forward Collision Warning (FCW) with Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Traffic Jam Assist (TJA), Lane Departure Warning (LDW) with Lane-Keep (LKA) and Centering (LCA) Assists, to name a few.

The GWM Ora Good Cat 400 Pro starts at about RM139,800 sans insurance, which includes a 5-year or 150,000 KM vehicle warranty, as well as an additional 8-year or 180,000 KM battery warranty. Also included for every purchase of the Good Cat is a complementary home charger – a perfect gift for any first-time EV users.

3. Hyundai Kona Electric – RM149,888 (e-Lite)

Still skeptical of the Chinese EV brands? Well, fear not, as this last entry comes from a globally-renowned automaker from South Korea. In its bid to go against these booming Chinese EV marques, Hyundai has introduced the Kona Electric EV. The sole EV to underpin an ICE platform from this list, the Kona Electric shares most of its backbone with its ICE-powered twin. But don’t let that fact deceive you from this rather capable EV SUV.

For the baseline e-Lite spec, the Kona Electric comes with a 39.2-kWh Lithium ion battery pack – the smallest amongst the candidates. Though modest in capacity, said battery pack is capable of juicing up its front-mounted single motor setup rated at 134 HP and 395 NM for a claimed maximum travel range of 305 KM. AC charging is capped at 7 kW rate for the Kona Electric, but DC fast charging can go up to 100 kW, essentially making it the highest amongst the rest of the candidates.

In spite of boasting a rather high torque output, the Kona Electric takes up to 9.9 seconds to despatch from nought to 100 KM/H, while its V-Max is electronically governed at 155 KM/H.

Featuring a strikingly similar exterior design as its ICE twin, the Kona Electric is by far, the most polarising-looking EV compared to the rest of the candidates, including the funky Good Cat.. Sporting a dual-level headlights layout, the Kona Electric’s front fascia might be an acquired taste for some, but we, or at least the writer, thinks that it is really a bold-looking car that is tailor-made for someone who is bored of the textbook SUV look.

Stepping inside the Kona Electric’s cabin and you’ll be greeted by a leather-laden space with tech amenities placed in the ‘right’ position and layout. Crowing above the central air vents is a sizable 8-inch infotainment display with wireless Android Auto and Apple Carplay mobile support. Topping-off the Kona’s list of amenities is the six-speaker audio system, as well as massive 10.25-inch driver’s display.

For its safety features, the Kona Electric is definitely not lacking in this department. The e-Lite spec Kona Electric comes equipped with Hyundai’s SmartSense safety suite that includes Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Lane-Keep Assist (LKA), Lane Following Assist (LFA), Leading Vehicle Departure Alert (LVDA), High Beam Assist, as well as Forward Collision Assistance (FCA).

The Hyundai Kona Electric e-Lite is priced at RM149,888 sans insurance, which includes standard 5-year or 150,000 KM vehicle warranty, plus an 8-year or 160,000 KM warranty for its battery pack. One important thing to note is the Kona Electric does not include any complementary home wallbox charger for every purchase, so you might need to fork some extra dough to buy one.

Fortunately, Hyundai Malaysia does offer an AC home charger. The standard 7 kW AC charger is priced at RM6,000, while the higher capacity 22 kW AC charger commands a RM7,000 price tag.