The GWM Ora electric hatch has been updated with a new battery and additional technology for Australia, coinciding with the switch to Thai production.
The Ora is a rival to the BYD Dolphin and MG 4 electric hatchbacks, which are among the most affordable EVs in Australian new-car showrooms.
It’s the second GWM vehicle produced in the company’s Rayong, Thailand plant to be exported to Australia, following the Tank 300. This plant previously produced the Holden Colorado and Trailblazer for our market, before parent company General Motors sold it to GWM which commenced vehicle production there in 2021.
The new sourcing hasn’t impacted pricing for the entry-level Ora, which kicks off at an unchanged $35,990 drive-away – though the outgoing base model was being offered for $33,990 drive-away as part of a promotion.
The Ultra is priced at $37,990 drive-away, down $3000 on regular pricing for the Extended Range though up $1000 on recent discounted pricing, while the GT is $38,990 drive-away.
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In GWM showrooms now, only 30 examples of the Ultra will be offered – all in Aurora Green – with only the Lux and GT available once this limited edition is sold out.
The most significant update is a new 57.7kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack developed in-house by GWM subsidiary SVOLT, standard across the range in place of the 48kWh lithium-ion and 62kWh ternary lithium batteries previously offered.
It gives the entry-level Ora Lux 400km (WLTP) range – up from 310km in the previous Standard Range – but 380km in the GT, down from 420km in the pre-update Extended Range.
The new battery also enables vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability at speeds of up to 6kW, allowing owners to power appliances using the vehicle’s battery.
A heat pump also helps energy efficiency, while GWM’s telematics app – offered on the Ora for the first time – is able to schedule and monitor charging and battery levels
There are no changes to the 126kW electric motor driving the front wheels, but weight is now 1650kg-1670kg, up from the previous 1540kg-1580kg.
The increase comes with a corresponding 0.6-second slower 0-100km/h claim of 9.0 seconds, and official WLTP consumption of 16kWh/100km on the Lux and Ultra, and 17.7kWh/100km for the GT.
Other key changes include a streamlined exterior colour range, with a new Sun Black option replacing the previous black-and-white roof combo and fitted with the blue-and-grey interior for the first time.
Inside, a USB-C outlet joins the existing USB-A outlet up front.
Sales of the Ora have been down in 2025 due to a stock shortage which may be resolved with the new Thailand sourcing.
GWM recorded its 200,000th sale in Australia overall earlier this month. The Ora hatch is its only EV in Australia thus far, though it has confirmed two more will join its lineup by the end of next year.
Pricing
| Model | Drive-away pricing |
|---|---|
| 2026 GWM Ora Lux | $35,990 |
| 2026 GWM Ora Ultra | $37,990 |
| 2026 GWM Ora GT | $38,990 |