Those shopping for an all-electric car locally will soon have a broader range of options to choose from.
When discussing Australia's dearth of electric cars and their related infrastructure, the debate always comes back to consumer choice – or lack thereof.
However, with a list of incoming launches, promised models and electric-powered variants on the cards, the limited-choice excuse will hopefully soon be a distant memory.
From mass-market small SUVs to high-performance prestige cars, the all-electric line-up for 2021 is varied and houses something for every buyer.
Below, we've rounded up every confirmed all-electric model, facelift or variant arriving Down Under between now and the end of the year, in order of their launch timing.
What is it? The all-electric version of Hyundai's popular small SUV, the Kona, has had a midlife facelift, with increased range, revised styling and new technology.
Local arrival date: April 2021
Claimed electric range: 484km (WLTP)
Price: From $62,000 before on-road costs.
MORE: Hyundai Kona Electric articles
What is it? A small electric SUV based on Mercedes's existing GLA model.
Local arrival date: Available to order from April, deliveries expected to begin in June 2021.
Claimed electric range: 426km (WLTP), 486km (NEDC)
Price: From $76,800 before on-road costs.
What is it? A new small SUV from Kia that's been on sale overseas for several years, but is likely to land in Australia for the first time in mid-life facelift, long-range form.
Local arrival date: Late May and June 2021
Claimed electric range: 450km (WLTP)
What is it? The longer-range variant of Nissan's small electric car, the Leaf, offering a bigger battery and more performance.
Local arrival date: Sometime in second-quarter 2021.
Claimed electric range: 384km (WLTP)
MORE: Nissan Leaf e+ articles
What is it? A performance sedan that's a twin under the skin to the already released Porsche Taycan. It will be offered in two configurations locally: an entry-level Quattro variant and top-spec RS.
Claimed electric range: 488km (WLTP)
MORE: Audi E-Tron GT articles
What is it? An all-electric version of Volvo's smallest SUV, the XC40, and Volvo's first all-electric production car.
Local arrival date: The second half of 2021, likely August.
Claimed electric range: 418km (WLTP)
MORE: Volvo XC40 Recharge P8 articles
What is it? An all-electric small SUV that shares its underpinnings with the conventional petrol- and diesel-powered X3.
Local arrival date: Buyers are able to register their interest online, with a local launch expected around mid-2021.
Claimed electric range: 460km (WLTP)
What is it? An all-electric mid-size SUV that's the first model from Hyundai's new Ioniq electric vehicle (EV) sub-brand, as well as the first vehicle to ride on Hyundai, Kia and Genesis' joint E-GMP electric-only modular platform.
Local arrival date: Third-quarter 2021.
Claimed electric range: 470-480km (WLTP)
What is it? The high-riding wagon sibling to the new Porsche Taycan sedan, which launched locally in March. It will be offered in 4S and Turbo guises in Australia.
Local arrival date: Third-quarter 2021
Claimed electric range: 388-452km (WLTP)
MORE: Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo articles
What is it? An all-new small SUV (similar in size to the Mazda CX-30) that will be offered with both mild-hybrid and all-electric powertrains (and, eventually, an electric option with rotary range extender). The mild-hybrid is already available, with the all-electric variant to follow.
Local arrival date: Second half of 2021.
Claimed electric range: 200km (WLTP), 224km (NEDC)
What is it? An all-new electric large SUV that's a production version of BMW's Vision iNext concept car.
Local arrival date: Online pre-orders have opened, with deliveries expected to commence in fourth-quarter 2021.
Claimed electric range: 400–600km (WLTP)
What is it? A new all-electric variant of the existing Lexus UX small SUV.
Local arrival date: November 2021.
Claimed electric range: 400km (NEDC)
MORE: Lexus UX300e articles
What is it? A performance version of the existing mid-size Audi E-Tron electric SUV, to be offered as both a regular SUV and a Sportback, and with a claimed 0–100km/h time of 4.5 seconds.
Local arrival date: Late 2021.
Claimed electric range: 365km (WLTP)
MORE: Audi E-Tron S articles
What is it? A high-riding electric sedan that's expected to spearhead Polestar's Australian launch this year.
Local arrival date: As the first Polestar model to launch the brand Down Under, we can expect an arrival in late 2021 (TBC).
Claimed electric range: 500km (WLTP)
What is it? Genesis's first electric car will be an SUV that will sit on the Hyundai group's E-GMP modular electric platform and is rumoured to be badged the GV60.
Local arrival date: Later in 2021 (TBC).
Claimed electric range: TBC
MORE: Everything electric MORE: The Australian new-car calendar for 2021
Susannah Guthrie has been a journalist since she was 18, and has spent the last two years writing about cars for Drive, CarAdvice, CarSales and as a motoring columnist for several in-flight and hotel magazines. Susannah’s background is news journalism, followed by several years spent in celebrity journalism, entertainment journalism and fashion magazines and a brief stint hosting a travel TV show for Channel Ten. She joined Drive in 2020 after spending a year and a half at the helm of Harper’s BAZAAR and ELLE’s online platforms. Susannah holds a Bachelor in Media and Communications from the University of Melbourne and cut her teeth as an intern for Time Inc in New York City. She has also completed a television presenting course with the National Institute of Dramatic Art. She lives in Melbourne with her husband and her one-year-old son who, despite her best efforts, does not yet enjoy a good road trip.
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Copyright Drive.com.au 2022ABN: 84 116 608 158
Copyright Drive.com.au 2022ABN: 84 116 608 158
DAP Pricing– Unless otherwise stated, all prices are shown as Manufacturer's Recommended List Price (MRLP) inclusive of GST, exclusive of options and on road costs.