Thinking of an EV now? There’s a stack of choice available, with even more to come!
This piece appears in the Sydney Morning Herald (15-Oct) and The Age (16-Oct) as part of our documentary, Drive: Electric – airing Sunday 16-October-2022 at 3pm on Nine.
If you wanted to buy an electric car a decade ago, you had just a single option.
The Nissan Leaf was introduced to Australia in 2012, an EV pioneer, not just here but around the world.
But, as the market for electric vehicles has expanded globally, so too has our choice. From that single Nissan in 2012, Australians today have a choice of 36 models from 18 different car makers. And the list is growing.
Our snapshot here lists every model available today.
We’ve broken it down by price, listing the most affordable variant in each model’s range.
Under $50,000
The field of available EVs priced under $50k is a small one. Batteries are expensive to produce and while advancements and scale will see manufacturing costs decrease, for now the most affordable EV in Australia remains priced well over $40,000.
Small SUV
$44,990 drive-away
360km range
The MG ZS EV has, since arriving here in 2020, held the mantle of Australia’s most affordable electric car. It’s a title under attack from a host of new challengers, but for now, at $44,990 drive-away, the MG ZS EV retains its place at the top of the pecking order when it comes to affordability.
MG updated the electric SUV last month, increasing driving range to 360km (up from 263km) and adding some refinement to features like the infotainment system. MG also tweaked external styling, giving the ZS EV a more distinct appearance when compared with its petrol-powered siblings.
Small SUV
from $44,381
410km range
After much pre-launch hype, the BYD Atto 3 has finally gone on sale in Australia and while it doesn’t quite match the MG ZS EV in terms of price, it trumps its compatriot with greater driving range (410km against the MG’s 360km).
Inside it’s hard not to be wowed by the BYD Atto 3, with a futuristic-looking cabin that provides plenty of technology and comfort in a package that dares to be a little bit different.
Incidentally, BYD is an acronym for ‘Build Your Dreams’. No, really.
| Hyundai Ioniq Electric Hatchback from $49,970 373km range |
$50,000-$120,000
The sweet spot in terms of EV pricing, this segment features some of the most popular models on sale in Australia right now, including the poster child of electric vehicles, Tesla.
| Nissan Leaf Hatchback from $50,990 311km range |
Hyundai Kona Electric Small SUV from $54,500 305km range |
Mini Cooper SE City car from $55,650 233km range |
| Polestar 2 Medium sedan from $63,900 440km range |
Kia Niro EV Small SUV from $65,300 460km range |
Mazda MX-30 Electric Small SUV from $65,490 224km range |
Medium sedan
from $65,500
559km range
Ask anyone to name an electric vehicle, and there’s a better than even chance the first name past their lips is ‘Tesla’.
The Tesla Model 3 is Australia’s best-selling EV, eclipsing the competition by a significant margin. And it’s easy to see why.
With modern styling, a driving range at the upper end of the EV market and brand cachet that is off the charts, the only threat to the Model 3’s dominance comes from within, the Model Y medium SUV that launched earlier this year is already close to overtaking its sedan stablemate on the sales charts.
Medium SUV
from $69,900
430km range
The Ioniq 5 isn’t the first EV from Korean brand Hyundai, but it is the most striking visually. Underneath that angular yet futuristic exterior is a medium SUV with a driving range of either 430km or 480km depending on the model.
It while it might not look like it in photos, its hatchback proportions disguise what is actually a medium SUV, more akin to a Hyundai Tucson than an i30.
Hyundai has future-proofed the Ioniq 5 too, capable of accepting 350kW DC fast charging. And that means as those ultra-rapid chargers come online in Australia, the Ioniq 5’s battery will be able to be replenished from 10 to 80 per cent in a matter of minutes.
| Tesla Model Y Medium SUV $72,300 510km range |
Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric Small SUV from $72,990 450km range |
Lexus UX300e Small SUV from $74,000 360km range |
Large SUV
from $72,590
484km range
The first electric car from Korean brand Kia blends edgy exterior design with a cabin that is minimalist and modern. There are currently three variants available with driving ranges from 484km to 528km depending on the model.
And a bolder, more performance-focused EV6 GT will join the line up later this year, promising to complete the sprint from zero to 100km/h in just 3.5 seconds.
| Volvo C40 Recharge Small SUV from $74,990 500km range |
Mercedes-Benz EQA Small SUV from $78,513 475km range |
Mercedes-Benz eVito Tourer Delivery van from $89,353 262km range |
Medium SUV
from $87,800
445km range
Don’t let the Mercedes-Benz EQB’s medium SUV classification fool you. Lurking inside its compact exterior lies a seven-seat interior, a feature buyers are increasingly gravitating towards.
Two variants underpin the EQB line-up with driving a range of 445km for the entry-level model. The more expensive variant has a range in excess of 500km.
The EQB forms part of Mercedes-Benz’s assault on the world of EVs, the fifth battery-electric model from the German carmaker in just two years.
| BMW i4 Medium sedan from $99,900 465km range |
Genesis GV60 Medium SUV from $103,700 466km range |
BMW iX3 Medium SUV from $114,900 440km range |
Over $120,000
Brimming with technology and performance, these high-end electric vehicles from some of the world’s most premium car brands showcase what the future of motoring looks like, today.
| Mercedes-Benz EQC Medium SUV from $122,724 434km range |
Genesis Electrified GV70 Medium SUV from $127,800 445km range |
BMW iX Large SUV from $135,900 420km range |
| Genesis Electrified G80 Large sedan from $145,000 520km range |
Jaguar I-Pace Large SUV from $146,857 446km range |
Audi E-Tron Large SUV from $147,400 413km range |
Large sedan
from $158,100
403km range
It should come as little surprise that when Porsche decided to build an electric car, it would build one with the kind of performance true to the brand’s DNA.
The Porsche Taycan wows from first glance and gets only better once behind the wheel. Even in its most basic form, the Taycan can hustle from 0-100km/h in 5.2 seconds while the range-topping Turbo S covers the same benchmark in an astonishing 2.8 seconds. Worthy of the Porsche badge, then.
| Audi E-Tron GT Large sedan from $181,700 488km range |
BMW i7 Large sedan from $297,900 625km range |
Mercedes-AMG EQS53 Large sedan from $328,400 587km range |
You can learn more by watching the Drive: Electric documentary this Sunday 16 October at 3pm on Nine. The video will be available here and on 9Now after it airs.
The post Every electric vehicle on sale in Australia right now appeared first on Drive.