Four Tesla Alternatives

Only Tesla make electric cars (EVs) right? Wrong! There are a surprising number of cheaper alternatives to cars from Elon Musk's company. Over the next few years, more and more mainstream car making giants are launching EVs and Tesla is going to have a fight on its hands.

Nissan Leaf 2.0

This year, Nissan is updating its popular and successful Leaf electric car. The Leaf is currently the world's best selling EV, with over 300,000 units shipped. It's also one of the most affordable. The original Leaf launched in 2010 whilst Tesla were still converting rebadged Lotus cars to electric.

The original car featured numerous aerodynamic design features, including sweeping headlights that deflect air around the wing mirrors, reducing drag. The underside also had smooth panelling, making the car more slippery and further lowering drag. Nissan opted for LED headlights to lower power usage and increase efficiency. The Leaf was sold in Australia for a time and you may be able to find an original first-generation demo model for sale at dealers today.

The Leaf 2.0 should arrive sometime this year or in early 2019. The updated car promises to double the distance between charges to 400km, with some refinements to improve acceleration. The Leaf 2.0 will also boast driving assists like automated parking.

The expected retail price is between $40,000 and $50,000.

BMW i3

For those looking for a luxury EV at half the price of a Tesla, the i3 and i3s sports models by BMW fit the bill nicely. 95% of the i3 is recyclable, with BMW stating they tried to design with sustainability in mind. BMW package a 33kWh battery into the i3, however, this includes a non-usable, battery life-prolonging safety buffer of 6kWh. Still, the zero-emission German car boasts a 310km range.

The interior is deceptively spacious, but the external styling may divide opinions. The accompanying BMW smartphone app even helps drivers set off at the optimal time, how very German!

The list price for the BMW i3 is $68,700 excluding on-road costs.

Source: BMW.com.au

Renault ZOE

French carmaker Renault is bringing its EV supermini to Australia this year. Renault will fit the ZOE with a 41 kWh battery, giving a real-world driving range of 280 km. The small car accelerates quite leisurely for an electric vehicle, taking a lengthy 13.5 seconds from 0 - 100kph. Flat out, the ZOE will hit 135 kph and it should receive a five-star ANCAP rating when launched. Features include smartphone connectivity and a 7" touchscreen with TomTom navigation as standard.

Owners of the ZOE will be able to rapid charge the battery from flat to 80% in 30 minutes and top up the energy pack in 3-4 hours at home. Interestingly, the ZOE was originally launched back in 2012, after engineers carried out hot-weather testing in Australia. The expected retail price is $45,000.

Source: Renault.com.au

Hyundai Ioniq

One of Australia's biggest selling automotive brands, Hyundai, plans to launch an EV model here this year. The Hyundai Ioniq is a 5-seater hatchback, that appears pretty conventional externally but the car receives widely positive reviews. Hyundai claims a range of 300kms, with a top speed of 165kph.

The Ioniq ships with an array of extra safety features like emergency braking and blind-spot detection. Its battery carries a lifetime warranty and 4.5-hour recharge time on a domestic plug. Local engineers from Hyundai Australia will no doubt tweak the suspension and ride to suit Aussie roads better. Speculation puts the Ioniq retail price at around $50,000.

Compare the Tesla finance options below

Loan amount

$

Loan term

1 year 2 years 3 years 4 years 5 years 6 years 7 years

Calculate

Sort by:

Name	Product	Interest Rate (p.a.)	Comparison Rate (p.a.)	Monthly Repayment	View Details CTA
loans.com.au - New and Dealer Used Car Loan		3.99% (fixed)	4.53%		You'll receive a fixed rate of 3.99% p.a. based on your risk profile Finance a new car and benefit from features such as fast approval, no ongoing fees and an optional balloon payment. Special offer: Settle the loan before 30 June 2022 and enter the draw to win a $1,000 fuel gift voucher. Terms and conditions apply.	You'll receive a fixed rate of 3.99% p.a. based on your risk profile Finance a new car and benefit from features such as fast approval, no ongoing fees and an optional balloon payment. Special offer: Settle the loan before 30 June 2022 and enter the draw to win a $1,000 fuel gift voucher. Terms and conditions apply.	Go to site View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Wisr Secured Car Loan		From 4.74% (fixed)	5.01%		You'll receive a personalised interest rate from 4.74% p.a. to 16.01% p.a. based on your risk profile A flexible car loan from $5,000 - $63,000 with personalised rates and rewards for strong credit customers. ⭐Special Offer: Wisr's standard establishment fee $605 will be reduced to $195 for applications submitted through Finder. T&Cs apply.	You'll receive a personalised interest rate from 4.74% p.a. to 16.01% p.a. based on your risk profile A flexible car loan from $5,000 - $63,000 with personalised rates and rewards for strong credit customers. ⭐Special Offer: Wisr's standard establishment fee $605 will be reduced to $195 for applications submitted through Finder. T&Cs apply.	Go to site View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Credit Concierge Car Loan		From 3.69% (fixed)	4.23%		You'll receive a fixed rate of 3.69% p.a. with a comparison rate of 4.23% p.a. Get access to over 20 providers to fund a new or used car.	You'll receive a fixed rate of 3.69% p.a. with a comparison rate of 4.23% p.a. Get access to over 20 providers to fund a new or used car.	Go to site View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Plenti Car Loan		From 4.89% (fixed)	5.44%		You'll receive a fixed rate from 4.89% p.a. Borrow up to $100,000 with a Plenti Car Loan and benefit from no early repayment or exit fees.	You'll receive a fixed rate from 4.89% p.a. Borrow up to $100,000 with a Plenti Car Loan and benefit from no early repayment or exit fees.	Go to site View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
IMB New Car Loan		4.88% (fixed)	5.23%		You'll receive a fixed rate of 4.88% p.a. A low minimum borrowing amount of $2,000 that you can use to purchase a new car or one that's up to two years old.	You'll receive a fixed rate of 4.88% p.a. A low minimum borrowing amount of $2,000 that you can use to purchase a new car or one that's up to two years old.	Go to site View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Stratton Finance New Car Loan		From 3.69% (fixed)	5.27%		You'll receive a fixed rate from 3.69% p.a. depending on the lender you are approved with Apply for up to $250,000 and use cash or trade in a vehicle to use as a deposit. Optional balloon payment available.	You'll receive a fixed rate from 3.69% p.a. depending on the lender you are approved with Apply for up to $250,000 and use cash or trade in a vehicle to use as a deposit. Optional balloon payment available.	Go to site View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
NRMA New Car Loan		From 4.99% (fixed)	5.69%		You'll receive a fixed rate from 4.99% p.a. Purchase a new or used car up to 3 years old and benefit from a fixed rate and no monthly fees. Pre-approval available within 5 business hours.	You'll receive a fixed rate from 4.99% p.a. Purchase a new or used car up to 3 years old and benefit from a fixed rate and no monthly fees. Pre-approval available within 5 business hours.	Go to site View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Great Southern Bank Fixed Rate Car Loan		6.79% (fixed)	7.16%		You'll receive a fixed rate of 6.79% p.a. A secured loan with a high maximum borrowing amount up to $100,000. Redraw facility and no monthly fees.	You'll receive a fixed rate of 6.79% p.a. A secured loan with a high maximum borrowing amount up to $100,000. Redraw facility and no monthly fees.	Go to site View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
NAB Personal Loan Unsecured Fixed		From 6.99% (fixed)	7.91%		You'll receive a fixed rate between 6.99% p.a. and 18.99% p.a. ( 7.91% p.a. to 19.83% p.a. comparison rate) based on your risk profile Borrow from $5,000 to $55,000, with 1 to 7 year loan terms available. This loan comes with no fees for extra repayments and no early exit fees.	You'll receive a fixed rate between 6.99% p.a. and 18.99% p.a. ( 7.91% p.a. to 19.83% p.a. comparison rate) based on your risk profile Borrow from $5,000 to $55,000, with 1 to 7 year loan terms available. This loan comes with no fees for extra repayments and no early exit fees.	Go to site View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Symple Loans Personal Loan		From 5.75% (variable)	6.47%		You'll receive a personalised interest rate from 5.75% p.a. to 25.99% p.a. based on your risk profile Borrow up to $50,000 to pay for what you need.	You'll receive a personalised interest rate from 5.75% p.a. to 25.99% p.a. based on your risk profile Borrow up to $50,000 to pay for what you need.	Go to site View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
SocietyOne Car Loan		From 5.95% (fixed)	5.95%		You'll receive a fixed rate between 5.95% p.a. and 17.49% p.a. based on your risk profile A loan from $5,000 to use for a range of purposes. Benefit from no ongoing fees and no early repayment fee.	You'll receive a fixed rate between 5.95% p.a. and 17.49% p.a. based on your risk profile A loan from $5,000 to use for a range of purposes. Benefit from no ongoing fees and no early repayment fee.	Go to site View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
OurMoneyMarket Car Loan		From 5.35% (fixed)	5.65%		You'll receive a fixed interest rate from 5.35% p.a. to 14.99% p.a. based on your risk profile. Borrow between $2,001 and $75,000 to finance a new or used car up to 7 years.	You'll receive a fixed interest rate from 5.35% p.a. to 14.99% p.a. based on your risk profile. Borrow between $2,001 and $75,000 to finance a new or used car up to 7 years.	Go to site View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
NRMA Used Car Loan		From 6.24% (fixed)	6.94%		You'll receive a fixed rate from 6.24% p.a. Finance a used car with NRMA and benefit from a fixed rate term and no monthly fees. Pre-approval available within 5 business hours.	You'll receive a fixed rate from 6.24% p.a. Finance a used car with NRMA and benefit from a fixed rate term and no monthly fees. Pre-approval available within 5 business hours.	Go to site View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...

loading

Compare up to 4 providers

Clear selection

Compare

Compare Tesla car insurance providers

Sort by:

Name	Product	Roadside Assistance	Accidental Damage	Storm	Choice of Repairer	Agreed or Market Value
Budget Direct Comprehensive Finder Award		Optional			Optional	Agreed or Market	Finder's summary: Awarded the 2021 Finder Award for Car Insurance - Value in QLD, SA, TAS, VIC, WA and Car Insurance - Features in NSW, VIC, WA, this policy offers solid coverage at a low cost. Budget Direct's claims service has received a 4.2/5 based on nearly 5,000 customer reviews. ⭐ Current offer: Get 15% discount on first year's premium when you take out a policy online. T&Cs apply. Who it might be good for: People who want a comprehensive policy without breaking the bank.	Get Quote View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Virgin Comprehensive		Optional			Optional	Agreed or Market	Finder's summary: Finalists for the 2021 Finder Awards for Best Car Insurance - Value in VIC, QLD, SA, WA and TAS, Virgin Comprehensive provides a good level of cover for a decent price. ⭐ Current offer: Get 15% off on your first year’s premium when you purchase a new eligible comprehensive car insurance online. T&Cs apply. Who it might be good for: People who'd like to manage their policy online 24/7.	Get Quote View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Qantas Comprehensive		Optional			Optional	Agreed or Market	Finder's summary: You'll be able to choose how comprehensive you want your cover to be with optional extras like choice of repairer and the option of agreed or market value. ⭐ Current offer: Earn Qantas Points for joining and paying your premium. Sign up today and earn up to 20,000 Qantas Points (points awarded will be based on your premium). T&Cs and eligibility apply. Who it might be good for: People who'd like to earn Qantas Points.	Get Quote View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
QBE Comprehensive Green Company					Optional	Agreed or Market	Finder's summary: QBE is a sustainable insurance company and also Finder's Green Insurer of the Year 2021 award winner. This policy offers the highest level of protection available from QBE including three-year new car replacement. ⭐ Current offer: Save $75 when you purchase a new comprehensive policy online. T&Cs apply. Who it might be good for: Those that are looking for a more environmentally friendly insurance choice.	Get Quote View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
ahm Comprehensive		Optional				Both	Finder’s summary: ahm comprehensive car insurance lets you choose higher excess to reduce your premiums. Its Fixed Kilometre Plan can save you up to 30% compared to its standard comprehensive cover. ⭐ Current offer: Get up to 15% off when you purchase a new car insurance policy. T&Cs apply. Who it might be good for: People who drive less than 15,000 km per year.	Get Quote View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Australia Post Comprehensive					Optional	Agreed or Market	Finder's summary: Australia Post car insurance offers comprehensive cover for things like theft, fire, new for old replacement and emergency accommodation and transport. Cover also extends to anyone who uses your car, not just you. ⭐ Current offer: Get $75 off your first year’s premium when you buy online. T&Cs apply. Who it might be good for: If multiple people use the one car and you don’t want to worry about listing all drivers.	Get Quote View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Huddle Black Comprehensive						Agreed or Market	Finder's summary: Huddle's black comprehensive is its cover with highest limits and exclusive benefits. It includes roadside assistance. You can also get up to $2,000 for emergency travel and accommodation and up to $30 million legal liability cover. Who it might be good for: Someone who wants a 24/7 claims processing.	Get Quote View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Youi Comprehensive					Optional	Agreed or Market	Finder's summary: Youi Comprehensive Car Insurance is one of the few providers to include roadside assistance in its policy. You'll also get access to YouiRewards which gives you discounts on furniture, parking and more. Youi also has a live chat feature on its site to talk through any questions. Who it might be good for: People over 25 who want comprehensive cover with a focus on customer service.	Get Quote View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...

loading

Compare up to 4 providers

Clear selection

Compare

Pictures: Shutterstock