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, licensing 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 had changed.

“The introduction of the BYD Atto 1 in December 2025 made pure electric driving more affordable than it’s ever been in Australia,” he explained.

“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 MG ZS Vibe small SUV, which cost $203.31 a week to run, closely followed, in second place, by the BYD Atto 1 Essential ($204.82) in the small passenger car segment.

The BYD Sealion 5 Essential was the cheapest Medium SUV to run, at $255.24 a week.

“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 was 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,” he added.