David Morley

Contributing Journalist

4 min read

If you’re one of the many Australians that’s ready to take the plunge and turn your motoring from fossil fuelled to electric, you’ll probably have noticed there’s not the same choice in vehicle layout as there is with ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) cars. We’re behind the rest of the developed world in all types of EVs, and when you look at electric sedans Australia is a real back-marker.

Ironically, we have more choice than most of the rest of the planet beyond EVs, and you can buy a petrol- or diesel-powered version of – across many, many brands - everything from a dual-cab ute (or even the bigger, full-sized USA-made ute) to a sporty convertible, and everything else from an SUV to an off-road four-wheel drive.

But something with an electric driveline? Suddenly, you’re more or less locked in to either a hatchback or an SUV. As for an electric sedan, forget it? Or is there hope?

Read More About Audi E-Tron Gt

The truth is, buying any sort of conventional sedan vehicle (you know, a four-door with a boot and 'normal' ride height) is getting pretty hard to do. That’s simply because the world has gone mad for the SUV concept with its higher ride height, butch looks and the (sometimes broken) promise of off-road fun.

All of which has left the sedan an endangered species, regardless of what’s powering it. And in terms of the demise of the world’s sedans Australia is following the global trend pretty faithfully. Which is why the EV sedan concept is yet to really launch. And may never.

But just as not too many buyers are queuing up for a sedan, not everybody wants an SUV’s tough look or its higher seating position. So it’s nice to see that our market stills provides some sedan-layout alternatives.

And even better is the fact that just because you want old-school packaging, doesn’t mean you can’t appreciate a new age driveline. Which is another way of saying there are, indeed, a handful or pure-electric sedans in showrooms right now. You just need to know where to look.

So here’s the current crop of EV sedans you can buy in Australia right now:

Audi e-tron GT

From $158,300

Range: 443-448km

Audi's local EV line-up consists of the e-tron SUV and GT.
Audi's local EV line-up consists of the e-tron SUV and GT.

BMW i4

From $99,900

Range: 465-530km

The BMW situation is compounded by its rapidly expanding line-up of electric vehicles, with new ‘i’ variants being added to its portfolio on a regular basis.
The BMW situation is compounded by its rapidly expanding line-up of electric vehicles, with new ‘i’ variants being added to its portfolio on a regular basis.

BMW i5

From $ 112,400

Range: 516-582km

BMW i7

From $232,400

Range: 560-625km

BMW i7
BMW i7

BYD Seal

From $ 49,888

Range: 510-570km

BYD Seal.
BYD Seal.

Genesis G80 Electrified

From $ 145,000

Range: 440km

The rumour is that we’ll see the Genesis G80 or GV70 arrive first in 2025 with a 2.5-litre petrol-electric hybrid powertrain. (Image: Glen Sullivan)
The rumour is that we’ll see the Genesis G80 or GV70 arrive first in 2025 with a 2.5-litre petrol-electric hybrid powertrain. (Image: Glen Sullivan)

Hyundai Ioniq 6

From $ 72,435

Range: 429-614km

The Hyundai Ioniq 6 is priced from $74K. (Image: Brett Sullivan)
The Hyundai Ioniq 6 is priced from $74K. (Image: Brett Sullivan)

Mercedes-Benz EQE

From $134,000

Range: 500-626km

Mercedes-Benz AMG EQE53
Mercedes-Benz AMG EQE53

Mercedes-Benz EQS

From $ 194,000

Range: 459-610km

Polestar 2

From $67,400

Range: 532-654km

Porsche Taycan

From $156,300

Range: 335-504km

Tesla Model 3

From $62,000

Range: 500-630km

Tesla Model 3
Tesla Model 3

When it comes to which one is right for you, the electric driveline of the above choices throws you a bit of a curve-ball. As well as figuring out if the sedan body will work for you (and it doesn’t suit everybody or there wouldn’t be hatchbacks and SUVs) you need to determine whether the implications of the battery-electric driveline will also fit your lifestyle.

Do you need the family-friendly space of a station wagon rather than a sedan? Would the best electric sedan for you be an SUV after all, given the packaging differences over an ICE car?

You also need to consider things like range as well as how fast the car can be charged at either at a commercial charging station or in your own garage. Will the range be enough for ALL your driving? Can you squeeze a working week out of the range, leaving you all weekend for a leisurely charge? Does the packaging allow you sufficient boot space? Can you do without ever towing again (most EVs are either hopeless or incapable of towing a trailer). Would a hybrid be a better bet at this stage in your life? Nothing is a given in the EV world.

David Morley

Contributing Journalist

Growing up in country NSW meant that for David Morley, a car (and a licence to go with it) wasn’t optional; it was an absolute necessity if the pursuit of freedom was ever going to be realised. And so began a lifetime of messing about with cars and motorcycles. The metal and rubber soon opened up the possibilities for travel and adventure, and Morley has managed to combine both the machinery and an atlas to good use, seeing the world in the process and almost always managing to avoid being detained by whichever authorities were lurking. Eventually the lure of making a living from thrashing other people’s cars became too strong, and Morley moved to the big smoke of Melbourne where he scored a job on Car Australia magazine. After finishing Year 12, he also studied the workings of motor vehicles at TAFE level and built up a decent working knowledge of his own cars by constantly breaking them. A freelancer now for more than three decades, and a motoring journalist for four, Morley happily concedes that he’s been native too long to ever return to a desk job. And, for that, other office workers should be thankful. Titles Morley has worked for include Motor, Car Australia, Street Machine, Wheels, Unique Cars, The Age, RACV's Royal Auto, Drive and, of course, CarsGuide, and he has authored several books on his favourite subject. Taking up space in the Morley garage right now, his 1972 Valiant Charger continues to refuse to be tuned, while his almost equally ancient LandCruiser has been to every State and Territory bar Tassie (and then, only because the snorkel isn’t long enough). Featured Publications Motor Car Australia Street Machine Wheels Unique Cars The Age RACV's Royal Auto Drive CarsGuide
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