Exciting times continue for EVs as global sales rose by 160% in the first half of 2021 from 2020. And with interest in electric vehicles starting to increase in Australia recently, many people are wondering when will it be the right time to step into the EV world.
Key points
19 battery only EVs available currently in Australia
Another 24 battery only EV new models will be on offer between this quarter to the end of 2022
Europen manufactures are currently providing the most EV options for Australia.
Korean brands Hyundai and Kia will launch all new products EV products next year.
The Chinese brands will come soon will low costs EV options.
The most affordable EV in Australia is the MG ZS EV starting from $40,990 +ORC
Japanese manufacturers such as Toyota, Honda, and Mitsubishi at this point, not committing to BEVs
To assist consumers heading into the EV world, the following is a useful guide of battery only EV products by brand which are currently on sale and soon to arrive in the land Down Under. As you will see, currently, Australia has 19 EV’s across most segments, and by the end of 2022 all going to plan, there will be no fewer than another 24 new models arriving.
When researching this, I was surprised with the lack of commitment of BEVs by key Japanese manufacturers such as Toyota, Honda, and Mitsubishi with only Nissan offering a BEV product currently in the near future.
Below only outlines brands that have openly committed to sales in Aus over the next 15 months, but there are several brands US and Chinese automakers that have current or soon to be released EV products that are not listed, simply because there’s no Australian launch confirmation at this point.
Audi
The brand offers the E-Tron SUV in two body styles and is about to launch the E-Tron GT sedan halo car. The Q4 E-Tron small SUV is expected in 2022.
On sale now; SUV - E-Tron 50 & 55, Sportback - E-Tron 50 & 55
Coming; Sedan - E-Tron GT & RS E-Tron GT: Expected 2022
BMW
BMW started off well with 2 EVs, the i3 and the futuristic i8. This year they have announced a new flagship electric SUV, the BMW iX. The brand now has plans for half of its total sales to be fully electric by 2030, while also stating it expects to have delivered about 2 million BMW full-electric vehicles to customers by 2025, with that figuring leaping to a sizeable 10 million by 2030, making up at least half of its total global deliveries by that stage.
On sale; Hatch- i3
Coming; Sedan - i4, SUV - iX xDrive40, SUV - iX xDrive50, SUV - iX3
Ford
Ford Australia has just announced an electrification strategy that will give local customers the choice of at least five new Ford electrified vehicles by the end of 2024. The new Ford E-Transit will be the Blue Oval’s first domestic EV vehicle when it debuts in mid-2022.
On sale now; Nil
Coming; Van - E-Transit coming mid 2022
Genesis
Hyundai’s luxury brand Genesis has confirmed it will bring three new electric vehicles to Australia in the first half of 2022
On sale now - Nil
Coming; Hatch - GV60: First half of 2022, Sedan - G80: First half of 2022, SUV GV70: First half of 2022
Hyundai
One of Australia’s inarguable EV leaders already offers a couple of options, but ups the ante next year with a suite of EV models arriving Downunder in 2022.
On sale now; Hatch - Ioniq, SUV - Kona Electric
Coming; Hatch - Ioniq 5 hatch - last quarter 2021, Sedan - Ioniq 6: Confirmed for 2022/3,
SUV - Ioniq 7: Confirmed for 2023/4
Jaguar
Jaguars’ new CEO announced it will become a pure-electric company by 2025 which will all be built on a shared platform. For now, though attractive I-Pace is the only EV for Jaguar.
On sale now; SUV - I-Pace crossover
Coming; Nothing confirmed at this point
Kia
Kia’s first EV, the Niro, only arrived in Australia early this year, but a new generation model is expected late next year or early 2023. The other big EV story for the company is the exciting new technology rich EV6 hatchback due in 2022
On sale now; SUV - Niro
Coming; SUV - EV6 lower-power models: First half of 2022, SUV - EV6 GT: Late 2022 or early 2023, SUV - New-gen Niro: Late 2022 or early 2023
Lexus
The Toyota luxury player is a late entrant to the EV race. Lexus will have its first EV, based on the familiar UX, late this year to sell alongside the existing petrol and hybrid versions.
On sale now - Nil
Coming - SUV - UX300e: Late 2021
Mazda
The quirky freestyle-door MX-30 EV crossover is now on sale at an eye watering price which guarantees it won’t sell to many of them.
On sale; MX-30
Coming; Nothing confirmed at this stage
Mercedes-Benz
The European brands are serious about EVs and Mercedes-Benz shows that they are well on track to going all-electric, with a range of EV options already on sale in Australia and numerous others coming.
On sale; now; SUV EQC, SUV EQA 250
Coming; Sedan EQS: Late 2021, SUV EQA: Late 2021, Sedan AMG EQS 53: First half 2022, SUV EQB: First half 2022, Sedan EQE: Second half 2022
MG
The ZS EV offers an interesting proposition as the most affordable and is number two selling electric car in Australia. The ZS small SUV, the company has big plans to grow further in Australia. But there’s nothing else to confirm.
On sale now; SUV - ZS EV
Coming; Nothing confirmed at this stage
Mini
According to BMW, Mini will be “offering exclusively all-electric vehicles from 2030”. For now, in Australia, its only EV is the cute Mini Hatch, though a Countryman EV is certain.
On sale; Hatch, Mini Electric
Coming; Next-gen Mini Electric during 2023
Nissan
Nissan launched the Leaf in 2012 and has been updated over the years. The leaf is one of the cheapest and best-known EVs and now comes with two battery options. The next EV for Nissan is the all new Ariya crossover, which Nissan Australia is keen to add to its EV range.
On sale now; Hatch, Leaf:
Coming; SUV, Ariya. To be launched globally in 2022, but not confirmed in Australia.
Peugeot
Whilst Peugeot have a number of passenger and commercial EVs on sale in Europe, ( Hatch - e-208, SUV - e-2008, Van - Partner & Traveller), however, nothing is confirmed at this point for Australia.
On sale now; nil
Coming; Nothing confirmed at this stage.
Polestar
The brand created by Volvo and Geely will hit Australia in late 2021 with the Polestar 2 sedan. The brand will have online sales and ‘Polestar Spaces’ to showcase the cars in a retail environment.
On sale now; nil
Coming; Sedan - Polestar 2, confirmed for early 2022
Porsche
The Taycan has been a strong seller since arriving in Australia and will be reinforced by the Cross Turismo version this year. The Macan will also go electric in next-generation form.
On sale now; Sedan - Taycan sedan, Turismo estate -Taycan Cross
Coming; SUV - Macan, expected 2023
Renault
The newly-appointed distributor, the Ateco Group will be keen to pick up the pieces after more than five years of declining sales and tenuous financials. After the brand axed Zoe locally, the Kangoo Z.E van is the only EV available in Australia. The brand recently premiered the Megane E-Tech crossover for Europe and will launch a retro-cute Renault 5 in 2024. Of course, neither at this point is confirmed for Australia.
On sale now; Van - Kangoo Z.E
Coming; Nothing confirmed at this stage.
Tesla
Tesla has dominated Australia’s electric car sales for a while now and even more so, thanks to the groundbreaking Model 3. The Model Y will be available next year, and this is also guaranteed to provide the brand with another sales winner. As far as the Roadster and Cybertruck go, there’s nothing official for Australia but we’re sure there is interest out there.
On sale; Sedan - Model 3 and Model S, SUV - Model X
Coming; SUV - Model Y expected first half of 2022
Volkswagen
Volkswagen's expanding European fleet of ID electric vehicles are no closer to Australia at this stage. The ID.3 and ID.4 are popular in Europe, so much so that no production will be directed to Australia in the foreseeable future.
On sale now – nil
Coming; Nothing confirmed at this stage.
Volvo
This year's first shipment of electric XC40s has already sold out, The new sleek C40 Recharge crossover is next on Volvo’s EV product list, with the arrivals expected by late 2022.
On sale; SUV - XC40 Recharge
Coming; SUV crossover:- C40 Recharge, expected late 2022
Most carmakers around the world have now made firm public commitments to electrification, including publicly pledging billions of dollars in investment towards electric vehicles over the next few years alone. Australian sales of electric cars have risen at record levels in the past six months amid state government incentives as the industry forecasts greater price parity and consumer choice over the next 24 months. Forecasts suggest that by 2025, Audi will have 30 electric vehicle models available globally, Hyundai will have 23 models, the Renault group will have 24 models, GM will have 30 models and Volkswagen will have 70 new electric models available by 2028.
So as you can see, with several new EV models debuting offering extended operating ranges and affordable sticker prices, there has never been a better time to own an electric-powered vehicle.
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