Award-Winning EVs Skipping Australia — What's Going On?
The Renault 5 E-Tech and Nissan Micra EV keep winning prizes overseas but aren't sold here. Here's why that matters if you're considering a novated lease.
Two of Europe's most celebrated electric cars — the Renault 5 E-Tech and the Nissan Micra EV — are racking up awards and flying off dealership floors overseas. Neither is available to buy in Australia. According to The Driven, that's leaving a lot of people scratching their heads, and honestly, it should [Source 1].
Both vehicles sit in the affordable small-car segment — exactly the price point where Australian EV choice is thinnest. If you've been waiting for a compact, affordable BEV to make a novated lease stack up, these two are the kind of cars that could shift the maths significantly. They're just not here yet.
What this means for novated lease customers
The practical impact is straightforward: fewer affordable EVs on sale in Australia means less competition, which keeps entry prices higher than they need to be. That matters for novated leasing because the FBT exemption on eligible EVs is most powerful when the vehicle's drive-away price is lower — you're sheltering a larger proportion of the cost from tax.
Neither Renault Australia nor Nissan Australia has confirmed a local launch date for these models, as reported by The Driven [Source 1]. Until they do, employees looking at an EV novated lease are largely choosing between Chinese-brand entrants, Tesla, and a handful of other mainstream options. That's not a bad list — but more genuine competition would mean better pricing and more choice at the sub-$50K mark.
If you're currently in the market, the honest advice is: don't wait. The FBT exemption has already been extended once but it isn't guaranteed to run forever, and the vehicles that are available right now are well-suited to salary packaging. When models like the Renault 5 and Micra eventually arrive, we'll update this page.
Common questions
Can I novated lease the Renault 5 E-Tech or Nissan Micra EV in Australia?
Not yet. Neither model is currently available through Australian dealerships, so they can't be structured into a novated lease here. Check back — if they launch locally and meet the eligibility criteria, they'd likely qualify for the EV FBT exemption.
Why are these EVs available in Europe but not Australia?
Manufacturers make market-by-market commercial decisions based on demand forecasts, regulatory compliance costs, right-hand-drive conversion economics, and dealership network readiness. The Driven's reporting suggests both Renault and Nissan haven't committed to a local launch despite strong overseas demand [Source 1].
Does the FBT exemption apply to all EVs, or only certain ones?
The exemption applies to eligible battery electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids under the luxury car tax threshold, provided they're provided under a valid novated lease arrangement. The ATO sets the eligibility rules — your novated lease provider should confirm a specific vehicle qualifies before you sign anything.
Should I wait for more affordable EVs to arrive before getting a novated lease?
That's a personal call, but waiting carries its own risk — the FBT exemption isn't permanent, and vehicle prices and interest rates can move in either direction. The potential tax savings available today are real regardless of what arrives in future model years.
What affordable EVs are actually available for novated leasing right now?
Options in the more accessible price range currently include the BYD Atto 3, MG4, Volvo EX30, and Peugeot e-208, among others. A millarX consultant can walk you through what's in stock and how each one structures under salary packaging.