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12 best EVs available in Australia

As car manufacturers and countries around the world climb aboard the electric revolution, it is inevitable that Australia, too.

Australia still lags behind the developed world when it comes to the number of electric vehicles on its roads, around 6000 at last count. In Norway, with a population around five times smaller than Australia, more than 62,000 electric vehicles were sold in 2017 alone.

Okay, 62,000 electric vehicles. Are you serious?

Seriously serious. Norway's generous tax concessions for buyers of electric vehicles together with a policy decision that by 2025 only new cars with zero emissions will be sold in the country, has deepened that nation's love affair with electrically powered vehicles.

But Norway is not alone.

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA) forecasts, there will be 125 million electrical vehicles on the world's roads by 2030. China, France and the Netherlands lead the charge for the strongest orientation to pure battery electric vehicles, while Japan, Sweden and the United Kingdom have the highest share of plug-in hybrid cars.

The Chinese Government has long encouraged the purchase of electric vehicles through subsidies and incentives so it's hardly surprising that more than 1.3 million New Energy Vehicles (electric and hybrid) were sold in 2018.

 So why are Australians slow to surf the electric wave?

Well, a few reasons really, with price probably the most prohibitive factor. Hyundai and Nissan are some of the only brands that offers an all-electric model, in the form of the Ioniq Electric and Leaf respectively, for under $60,000.

Add on the luxury car tax, import duties, and stamp duty and suddenly the price of saving the planet seems an insurmountable one.

Then, there is range anxiety. Although research tells us that the average Australian daily commute is less than 20km each way, buyers remained reluctant to trust that they could do the school run, get to work, pick up the groceries and get back home again on a single charge.

Also, our poor, well almost non-existent, rapid electric car charging network failed to offer the same convenience or confidence enjoyed by drivers of petrol or diesel-powered vehicles.

Times, however, are ev-changing. While the federal and state governments dawdle over electric vehicle-enabling policy and wring their hands over a further drop in revenue from the fuel excise, car manufacturers and industry are taking charge.

We now have a larger number of somewhat affordable and luxury electric vehicles available in Australia. And not only are they more affordable but their driving range, too, is better than ever before.

Industry has also taken steps to try and combat range anxiety by investing in a high-speed charging highway powered by renewable energy across the country.

The Australian Government recently boosted that initiative with a $6 million injection of funds to help ensure a charging station at least every 200km. High-speed charging stations can now also be found in some shopping centres, hotels, airports, tourist attractions and places of business.

 

How do I choose an electric vehicle?

It probably goes without saying but its best to opt for a vehicle that best suits your needs. Consider things like the distance you travel each day, whether your route is flat or hilly, city or suburbs, how many people you will be carrying and where you intend recharging your electric SUV or sedan.

As mentioned previously, the average Australian commuter puts around 40km on the clock each day, mostly around city streets. Driving through city traffic is actually an advantage in an electric vehicle with the energy harvested from hard braking used to regenerate the battery.

The electric cars available in Australia, generally have a real-world range in excess of 200km (not all BMW i3's though) so in theory you should manage most of the working week without a recharge.

 

It pays to note that actual range depends on a number of factors including how aggressively you drive, how flat your route is, how much energy can be regenerated through braking and coasting, your temperature settings on the climate control and if you are using the radio and satellite navigation.

Where, and how often, you need to recharge your vehicle is also something to consider. Charging at home or work is usually through a normal 240-volt/15 amp electricity supply. The rate of charge depends on the vehicle's onboard charger, so usually 2.5kW – 7.0kW, and can take between four to 10 hours.

You can also have a dedicated EV charging unit installed at your home which will cut down on the charging time. Publicly accessible super chargers provide power to the battery at a faster rate (25kW-135kW) which means that some batteries can be charged in 30 minutes.

 

How much will it cost to charge my vehicle?

The recharging cost at home, if you are not using solar, depends on the electricity cost in your area, the tariff you are on and whether you recharge at peak times. 

The average cost of electricity in Australia is $0.30 per kilowatt, and it takes around 18kW to travel 100km, so it will cost you an average $5.40 to travel 100km, less if you are on a lower tariff.

In comparison, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, it will cost an average $16.65 to travel 100km with petrol in your tank and $7.50 per 100km with diesel.

EVs are also cheaper to own as service costs are reduced because you don't have to have items like spark plugs, engine oil and filters changed.

Electric vehicles are also easier on the brakes as regenerative braking fuels the battery rather than wearing out the brake parts.

Okay, so talk me through my choices

Australia has a wide range of hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles on offer, but until recently, if you were in the market for a pure Battery Electrical Vehicle (BEV), your choice was limited to the Nissan Leaf, the BMW i3 or the Mitsubishi i-MiEV (until 2013).

But 2018 signalled the start of a processions of new arrivals from Hyundai, Kia, Nissan, Jaguar, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Renault and Tesla with the run expected to gather pace as car manufacturers the world over let us in to their electric delights.

Hyundai Ioniq Electric

Hyundai has a stable of three Ioniqs with a hybrid and plug-in hybrid to complement the full electric.

Hyundai has a stable of three Ioniqs with a hybrid and plug-in hybrid to complement the full electric. It is a sporty hatchback that turns heads and most importantly, is one of the more affordable of the electric vehicles available in Australia.

Read the full Hyundai Ioniq Electric review 

Pricing and specs for Hyundai Ioniq Electric

Price

from $48,390 (before on-road costs)

Range

up to 311km (WLTP)

Powertrain

100kW/295Nm electric motor, front-wheel drive

Charge time

<60 min at 50kW (80 per cent)

Battery

38.3kWh lithium-ion pack, eight-year/160,000km warranty

Seats

Five

Hyundai Kona Electric

Hyundai offers the Kona with a 64kWh battery that will get you a real-world 450km on one charge.

Based on the petrol SUV that shares its name, Hyundai offers the Kona with a 64kW unit that can stretch to almost 500km depending on how you drive.

The Kona has the versatility and comforts of a small SUV with a good safety package to complement practical design. It seats five if it must, four if you have comfort in mind.

Read the full Hyundai Kona Electric review

​Pricing and specs for Hyundai Kona Electric

Price

from $60,140 (before on-road costs)

Range

 up to 449km (WLTP)

Powertrain

150kW/395Nm, front-wheel drive

Charge time

75 min at 50kW (80 per cent), 54min at 100kW (80 per cent)

Battery

64kWh lithium-ion pack, eight-year/200,000km warranty

Seats

Five

MG ZS EV

MG introduced the ZS EV to buyers in Austrlaia in 2020, making waves by coming in as the cheapest all-electric model available Down Under.

Priced at $44,990 drive-away, it undercuts the Nissan Leaf and Hyundai Ioniq Electric, and does so with a so-hot-right-now small SUV body shape.

Read the full MG ZS EV review

​Pricing and specs for MG ZS EV

Price

$44,990 (drive-away)

Range

up to 263km (WLTP)

Powertrain

105kW/353Nm, front-wheel drive

Charge time (10-80%)

7.0 hours on 7kW, 45 min on DC fast-charger

Battery

44.5kWh lithium-ion pack, eight-year/160,000km warranty

Seats

Five

Nissan Leaf

This second-generation Leaf is far better looking than its predecessor. (image credit: Tom White)

Nissan is an old hand at electric vehicles and this second-generation Leaf with a bigger battery pack and almost double the range shows that experience.

The Leaf uses Nissan's e-pedal which boasts “one-pedal driving”. This is just a fancy way of saying it has a strong regeneration program with energy recouped when you ease off the accelerator. It is activated by a switch on the dash but of course you can choose to use your brake pedal as normal.

It is not a new system but is still an impressive use of technology. Oh, and as an aside, all the specialised parts are made at Nissan's casting plant in Melbourne.

Read the full Nissan Leaf review

​Pricing and specs for Nissan Leaf

Price

from $49,990 (before on-road costs)

Range

up to 270km (WLTP)

Powertrain

110kW/320Nm, front-wheel drive

Charge time

8 hours on 240V, 40 min at 50kW (80 per cent)

Battery

60kWh lithium-ion pack, eight-year/160,000km warranty

Seats

Five

Nissan LEAF

Nissan LEAF
3.6
From
$50,990
Based on Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP)

Kia Niro EV

The Kia Niro EV has finally landed in Australia after an extended wait.

Sharing much with the Hyundai Kona Electric, the Niro EV is the first all-electric offering from the Korean brand Down Under, but certainly won't be the last.

With the Niro range bulked out with a hybrid and plug-in hybrid version, Kia wants a Niro to suit all buyers.

Read the full Kia Niro EV review

​Pricing and specs for Kia Niro EV

Price

from $62,590 (before on-road costs)

Range

up to 455km

Powertrain

150kW/395Nm, front-wheel drive

Charge time

Nine hours 35 minutes (80 per cent)

Fast charger

75 minutes on 50kW (80 per cent)

Battery

64kWh Lithium-ion Polymer

Seats

Five

Kia Niro

Kia Niro
3.8
From
$44,930
Based on Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP)

BMW i3

The i3's arrival in Australia was not unnoticed.

The i3's arrival in Australia was not unnoticed.

With its unique looks, carbon-fibre body and fashionable blending of sustainable materials and technology, the i3's arrival in Australia was not unnoticed.

It is a delightfully agile little number with great comforts and an excellent safety package. It is good fun to drive, quick to take a gap in traffic with a firmish but not uncomfortable ride.

The i3 is better for two than four but it will make do if it has to. Annoyingly, the front door has to open to allow the rear doors to open which hampers entry and exit. The BMW i3 is also offered in a sportier i3s trim which ups power and torque to 135kW/270Nm.

Read the full BMW i3 review

​Pricing and specs for BMW i3

Price

$69,900 (before on-road costs)

Range

260km (WLTP)

Powertrain

125kW/250Nm, rear-wheel drive

Charge time

19.5 hours at 1.8kW domestic outlet (80 per cent), 42 min at 50kW (80 per cent)

Battery

42.2kWh lithium-ion pack

Seats

Four

Mercedes-Benz EQC

The Mercedes-Benz EQC launched in Australia in 2019.

The Mercedes-Benz EQC launched in Australia in 2019.

The Mercedes-Benz EQC landed in Australia in late 2019, one of seven electric vehicles planned for release by 2022. Similar in size to the GLC, the EQC adds a number of sporty design touches.

It also debuts the company's new-generation battery and electric motor assembly. The front motor is optimised for efficiency while the rear motor adds a sportier note. Mercedes claims the EQC is the quietest EV around thanks to use of additional rubber mounts between the motors, sub-frame and body.

It also boasts pre-entry climate control which can be set via your smartphone and an 'MBUX' multimedia system that has been revised to include specific EV functions.

Read the full Mercedes-Benz EQC review

​Pricing and specs for Mercedes-Benz EQC

Price

$137,900 (before on-road costs)

Range

up to 434km

Powertrain

300kW/760Nm, all-wheel drive

Charge time

40 min at 50kW (80 per cent)

Battery

80kWh lithium-ion pack, eight-year/160,000km warranty

Seats

Five

Audi e-Tron

Audi’s e-Tron electric SUV is expected to land in local showrooms before the end of 2020.

Audi’s e-Tron electric SUV is expected to land in local showrooms before the end of 2020.

Audi's e-tron electric SUV is expected here by the end of 2020 but is already creating a buzz amongst followers of the luxury brand. It has some cool gadgets like the optional cameras for door mirrors but sports the same virtual cockpit and advanced multimedia systems that you will find in the Q5 and Q7.

The e-Tron SUV is all things performance, style and technology we expect from the German brand with a highly-pleasing electric heart. Like the Jaguar I-Pace is powered by two electric motors, front and rear, but it comes at a cost. Audi suggests its electric models will make up at least a third of its production by 2025.

Check out e-Tron reviews, news and prices

Price

from $140,000 (estimated) (before on-road costs)

Range

up to 485km

Powertrain

265kW, 561Nm, all-wheel drive

Charge time

8.5 hours on three-phase 11kW wall box

Fast charger

30min at 150kW (80 per cent)

Battery

95kWh Lithium-ion

Seats

Five

Audi E-tron

Audi E-tron
4.1
From
$178,875
Based on Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP)

Jaguar I-Pace

Jaguar boasts that the I-Pace has the brand’s most torsionally rigid structure.

Jaguar's fully electric offering is an eye-catching beauty, it's a pity just a select few will get to experience it. Like Tesla, the I-Pace will accept over-the-air updates and has AI technology that will learn individual driving patterns and habits to tailor an individual's preferences.

With its punchy performance, extensive safety package and gorgeous styling, Jaguar has caught its European rivals on the hop. Jaguar has also pledged to invest millions in Australia's charging infrastructure which is great news for buyers.

Read the full Jaguar I-Pace review

Pricing and specs for Jaguar I-Pace

Price

from $120,000 (before on-road costs)

Range

up to 469km

Powertrain

294kW, 696Nm, all-wheel drive

Charge time

10 hours on 240V

Fast charger

40min at 150kW (80 per cent)

Battery

90kWh Lithium-ion, warranty six years/160,000km

Seats

Five

Hyundai Ioniq 5

Hyundai's Ioniq 5 hit Australian showrooms in late 2021, and immediately drew attention for its combination of a high-tech powertrain and eye-catching looks.

Positioned in price against high-end mainstream large SUVs, the Ioniq 5 straddles the line in size between a small SUV and mid-size SUV but offers plenty of practicality and performance.

Read the full Hyundai Ioniq 5 review

​Pricing and specs for Hyundai Ioniq 5

Price

from $71,900 (before on-road costs)

Range

up to 451km (NEDC)

Powertrain

160kW/350Nm, rear-wheel drive

225kW/605Nm, all-wheel drive

Charge time (10-80%)

six hours at 11kW, 60 min at 50kW

Battery

72.6kWh lithium-ion pack, eight-year warranty

Seats

Five

Mazda MX-30 Electric

Mazda's first foray into the all-electric market, the MX-30 Electric is designed as a stylish inner-city runabout.

Though the price is higher than some rivals like the Hyundai Kona Electric and MG ZS EV, Mazda has added a bevy of premium appointments to justify the cost.

Read the full Mazda MX-30 Electric review

​Pricing and specs for Mazda MX-30 Elecitrc

Price

from $65,490 (before on-road costs)

Range

up to 200km

Powertrain

107kW/271Nm

Charge time

9.0 hours at 2.4kW

Fast charger

36 minutes at 50kW

Battery

35.5kWh

Seats

Five

Tesla Model 3

For the Model 3, like the Teslas that came before, it's a case of hurry up and wait.

The Tesla Model S and Model X might have come first, but its the Model 3 that has quickly proven to be its most popular model.

This is due to the fact that the Model 3 is the brand's most affordable model yet, opening the door for much more affordable all-electric motoring.

Read the full Model 3 review

​Pricing and specs for Model 3

Price

from $60,000 (before on-road costs)

Range

up to 480km

Powertrain

192kW, 696Nm

Charge time

5.0 hours on wall connector

Fast charger

30min at 120kW (80 per cent)

Battery

75kWh Lithium-ion

Seats

Five

Verdict

The future is electric

Well, certainly a large percentage of it is. As car manufacturers and countries around the world climb aboard the electric revolution, it is inevitable that Australia, too, will get swept along.

Economy of scale and the choice being offered in electric cars and hybrids means that prices will become more affordable. We are already seeing that with the Ioniq, Leaf and Model 3.

There are, however, a number of factors for Australians to consider if we are not to fall further behind, such as prioritising electric vehicle infrastructure, rethinking our electricity grid and positioning Australia as a supplier of the components needed for electric vehicles.