Electric cars coming you need to know more about

There are only a handful of electric vehicles on sale in Australia today, but there’s a battalion of battery-powered models about to silently drive across the horizon.

Electric cars have struggled to gain traction among local new car buyers, primarily because of the limited number of models available but also the significantly higher price tags slapped on their windscreens and a general lack of education about the growing charging network and the benefits of owning an electric car.

That is all about to change as a wide range of car companies are preparing a fleet of new EV arrivals that will broaden their availability, make them more accessible and deliver levels of performance and driving range that put them on par – or, in some cases, ahead of – combustion-engi0ned alternatives.

So, here’s every new electric car you need to know more about.

Fiat’s pint-sized performance brand has indicated it will develop a go-fast version of the recently-updated 500e electric city car.

Predictably, it is expected to feature a more powerful electric motor, stiffer suspension, racier looks and sportier interior highlights.

Whether it becomes available in Australia is still unanswered as it would like command a sizeable sticker price.

Alfa Romeo has confirmed it will launch a fully-electric mid-size SUV by 2022.

As part of the recent merger between Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (Alfa’s parent company) and PSA Group (Peugeot and Citroen) to form Stellantis, Alfa’s EV is expected to be based on the e-CMP platform that underpins the new Peugeot 208 which is offered in Europe with a 100kW electric motor powered by a 50kWh battery pack.

With closer ties to – and a bigger investment from – Mercedes-Benz in recent years, Aston Martin has access to the German company’s cutting-edge EV technology, and as such has plans to revive its storied Lagonda badge as a fully-electrified, ultra-luxury sub-brand for limousines and SUVs.

Audi has big plans when it comes to battery-powered vehicles with a promise to launch 30 new electrified models by 2025, with two-thirds of them being full-electric cars.

Its EV assault began with the Audi e-tron and e-tron Sportback SUVs that arrived in Australian showrooms last year and will continue with the stunning Audi e-tron GT sports sedan that shares its fundamental underpinnings with the Porsche Taycan.

It is likely that Audi will expand the e-tron SUV range with smaller Q4 and Q2 variants and offer fully-electric versions of the next-generation A4, A6 and A8 sedans. It is also highly likely that the next-generation R8 sports car will have a full-electric powertrain.

British luxury brand Bentley has said it plans to release a battery-powered SUV by the middle of the decade while confirming its entire range will feature plug-in hybrid powertrains by 2030.

Like its German rivals, BMW is planning a massive onslaught of battery-powered cars within the next few years.

Building on the foundations formed by its experimental i division, and the relatively successful acceptance of the BMW i3 commuter car, the German brand has committed to offering a plug-in hybrid version of every mainstream model as well as nine dedicated battery-electric vehicles.

The EV rollout will commence with the BMW iX3 SUV this year, as well as the similarly-sized BMW iX, and continue with battery-powered variants of the 3 Series, 5 Series and next-generation 7 Series sedans. Expect EV variants of the next 1 Series, as well as the X1, X5 and X7 SUVs.

Citroen has committed to launching a fully-electric or plug-in hybrid version of every new model and by 2025 there will be an electrified version of every car and van in the French brand’s entire range.

Whether they all become available in Australia will be determined by its local distributor, Inchcape, which has indicated it could take advantage of the wide-ranging EV strategy to establish Citroen as an EV benchmark in Australia.

The iconic Prancing Horse brand has said it would resist shifting to fully-electric models and maintain the emotional connection to high-revving engines but has already conceded to developing a full EV within the decade.

It began the transition towards electrification with its first dedicated hybrid, the mind-bogglingly-powerful Ferrari SF90 Stradale.

Expect future models, including the upcoming Ferrari Purosangue SUV and a revived Ferrari Dino with a smaller V6 turbo powerplant to adopt the same technology.

The Blue Oval is doubling down on the future prosperity of electric cars, recently increasing its investment in EVs by promising to spend almost $30 billion in development by 2025.

The US auto giant has already showed its hand with the Ford Mustang Mach-E, a battery-powered SUV that borrows design cues from its iconic sports coupe and will be followed by an all-electric version of the new-generation Ford F-150 pick-up later this year.

It is almost inevitable that the Ford Mustang Mach-E will make its way to Australia, while an all-electric version of the iconic coupe is expected to be revealed with the next-generation pony car in around 2025.

Before then, Ford Australia will introduce its first plug-in hybrid model later this year when the Ford Escape PHEV finally joins the local line-up.

Hyundai’s luxury marque is set to benefit from the South Korean brand’s significant investment in zero-emissions mobility, with fully-electric versions of the Genesis G80 large sedan, GV80 SUV and its smaller GV70 sibling currently under development.

Through its SUV brand Haval, Great Wall Motors has promised to break down the price barrier for hybrids and EVs with a range of affordable battery-powered and plug-in models on its radar.

Honda is concentrating its EV assault on Europe and its Japanese domestic market at the moment, recently launching the critically-acclaimed Honda e city car.

But the brand has big plans for the rest of the world, joining forces with General Motors to co-develop a pair of EVs for North America while also building a classy-looking battery-powered SUV for the Chinese market.

As one of the pioneers of hybrid technology – being the first brand to introduce a petrol-electric vehicle locally with the polarising Honda Insight as long ago as 1998 – it is unclear when Honda Australia will have EVs available for sale here.

Hyundai has already established itself as an early adopter of electric vehicles in Australia with models like the Hyundai Kona Electric and the IONIQ hatch already on sale locally.

This year, the battery-powered Kona small SUV will get a freshen-up with a new exterior design and improved mechanicals.

But the big news is the South Korean car-maker has promoted its IONIQ badge to become a standard electric brand that will have its own range of battery-powered vehicles, starting with the spacious and sharp-looking IONIQ 5 that enters production this year.

It will be followed in 2022 by the IONIQ 6 sedan and, in 2024, the IONIQ 7 large SUV.

Also expect plug-in hybrid versions of the all-new Tucson and the next-generation Santa Fe SUV, while local fleet trials with the Hyundai NEXO fuel-cell electric vehicle (FCEV) are continuing.

With just two vehicles – the Isuzu D-MAX dual-cab ute and the related MU-X SUV – that are fresh off the drawing table, Isuzu UTE Australia has no plans at present for hybrid or EV variants in the near future.

Under new JLR boss Thierry Bollore, Jaguar is executing a radical strategy that will see it become a full-electric car-maker by 2025, morphing into a lower-volume Tesla rival rather than a mainstream luxury brand battling BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi.

It has scrapped the all-electric XJ limo that was due to launch this year, but don’t rule out an eventual return of a flagship sedan underpinned by JLR’s new Electric Modular Architecture (EMA) created specifically for EVs. The Jaguar I-PACE crossover continues for now, but make no mistake – this is a clean-sheet restart for the British brand.

Land Rover, meanwhile, will launch its first pure-electric EV by 2024, which will be one of six battery-powered cars produced over the next five years. The first EV is tipped to be a version of the flagship Range Rover.

The iconic off-road brand has also promised to offer an all-electric variant of every model it makes by 2030.

Despite being one of the most traditional brands on the automotive landscape, Jeep is quickly moving with the times and has already introduced a plug-in hybrid version of the iconic Jeep Wrangler off-roader in the US and plans to reveal a fully-electric concept car version later this year that could be a pointer towards an EV option in the future.

The incoming new-generation Jeep Grand Cherokee will be sold here with a plug-in hybrid powertrain option from next year, and the company is looking to electrification to spice up its entire range – including flagship performance models.

Jeep’s top brass has admitted that the days of an iron-block supercharged 6.2-litre V8 are numbered, but the performance that models bearing the SRT and Trackhawk moniker will not be diluted.

In line with its sister company Hyundai, Kia is set to make a big EV splash with the promise to introduce 11 new battery-powered cars by 2026.

Kia Australia’s first EV arrives soon with the Kia Niro, which follows a similar path to the one forged by the current Hyundai IONIQ range where conventional hybrid, plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) and full-electric powertrains are offered.

A PHEV version of the popular new Kia Sorento large SUV also arrives soon.

Like its Italian rival in Ferrari, Lamborghini has promised its passionate owners that it will resist building a fully-electric sports car and retain its signature V12 engine for as long as possible.

But it has indicated it will have to introduce hybrid technology in order for its cars to meet ever-stricter emissions regulations in the future, and has showed its hand a few times through concept cars such as Lamborghini Terzo Millennio and Sian.

Lexus has been a long-time pioneer of hybrid technology, offering a petrol-electric powertrain option in almost every model in its current line-up.

And now the Japanese premium brand is set to join the battery-powered revolution, confirming that it’s first EV in Australia, the Lexus UX 300e, will be launched in November 2021.

There’s a lot more going on at a global level, too, with concepts pointing to all-new EVs in the pipeline that will carry a fresh new design and be underpinned by parent Toyota’s latest e-TNGA architecture.

Lotus’ simple sports car philosophy is about to take a sharp turn towards the future with plans to turn its Evija concept car into a limited run of 130 road-going examples, each with a price tag of over $3 million.

The stunning supercar will be worth the wait – and the cash – with a promise that it will produce almost 1500kW of power and accelerate from 0-100km/h in less than 3.0 seconds.

The incoming Lotus Type 131 family – which replaces the current Elise, Exige and Evora – will also support electrified powertrains.

Maserati is also set to throw out its own rule book with plans to electrify its entire range by 2025, starting with plug-in hybrid versions of its next-generation Ghibli sedan, Gran Turismo coupe and Gran Cabrio convertible that are set to be revealed later this year.

It has also revealed that a full-electric SUV to sit under the Maserati Levante is under development.

Mazda has confirmed its first fully-electric car, the Mazda MX-30 SUV, will arrive in Australian showrooms later this year.

To be offered with full battery-electric and mild-hybrid powertrain options, the MX-30 is roughly the same size as the Mazda CX-30 that recently joined the local range.

The MX-30 Electric model will be powered by a 107kW/271Nm electric motor and is fitted with a smaller-than-usual 35.5kWh battery that offers just 200km of driving range but takes less than half an hour to recharge on a rapid charging outlet.

McLaren has revealed the foundations for its next generation of electrified supercars with the 2021 McLaren Artura built on an all-new carbon-fibre platform that introduces plug-in hybrid powertrains and is capable of accommodating a full battery-powered electric set-up in the future.

The brand that invented the motor car is set to r-invent itself as a pioneer of electric mobility following a massive investment in battery development and production infrastructure that will yield six new electric cars within the next 18 months.

The German brand has already launched the Mercedes-Benz EQC mid-size electric SUV in Australia, which will soon be joined by a smaller EQA sibling with the flagship EQS limousine set to be revealed in full in the coming months.

Among the other variants to drive into its all-electric EQ line-up will be battery-powered versions of the B-Class urban hatch and E-Class executive sedan, as well as the EQV van and people-mover.

MG has already established a new entry point for electric cars in Australia with the MG ZS EV currently on sale as the most affordable battery-powered vehicle in the country, costing just over $40,000.

It will expand its electrified portfolio later this year with a plug-in hybrid version of the larger MG HS mid-size SUV with plans to also produce an EV sports car and compact city car in the near future.

BMW Group has used its MINI brand as real-world electric proving ground for almost a decade with public trials of battery-powered hatchbacks in major cities around the world.

An electric-powered MINI is now available in Australia, based on the three-door hatch and known simply as the MINI Electric, and the famed British brand plans to expand its zero-emission footprint with three additional battery-powered models in the coming years to be jointly developed by China’s Great Wall Motors.

These include two small SUVs – a new compact crossover that could mark the return of the Paceman moniker, plus a larger version of the current MINI Countryman – and a completely redesigned MINI hatch.

Count on high-performance electrified versions under the famed John Cooper Works (JCW) brand too.

Mitsubishi was an early adopter of battery technology, first introducing its i-MiEV commuter car as long ago as 2009 while the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV was the first plug-in hybrid in its class.

But financial troubles over the past decade have slowed its ability to stay ahead of its rivals.

An all-new Outlander is due to be revealed later this year that will still include a PHEV option. The Japanese brand launched a PHEV version of its smaller Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross in its home market late last year, but there are no indications at this stage that it will be made available locally.

Nissan, on the other hand, is riding an electric wave with a number of new EV models set to arrive in Australian showrooms over the next 18 months.

First of all, it will soon introduce a flagship variant of the Nissan LEAF hatchback – called LEAF+ – with more power, longer-range battery and upgraded equipment, and later this year will forge a new path with the first of its e-POWER range-extender models in the new-generation Nissan QASHQAI compact SUV.

Nissan’s e-POWER system uses an electric motor to propel the vehicle but it has a smaller, more compact battery pack to ensure maximum interior space is maintained. Instead of needing to recharge often – and therefore having a short driving range – the EV is supported by a small-capacity petrol engine that acts as an on-board power generator, providing 600km or more of driving range between refills.

It is expected that the Japanese car-maker will broaden its e-POWER offerings in the future across the next-generation Nissan X-TRAIL as well as potentially the mid-life update for the recently-launched Nissan JUKE.

But it also has another dedicated EV on the horizon with a production version of the stunning Nissan Ariya SUV set to be revealed later this year.

In line with its sister brand Citroen, Peugeot has promised that every model in its range will be offered with a plug-in or full battery powertrain option by 2025.

In Australia, the French brand’s local distributor, Inchcape, has indicated it will introduce a plug-in hybrid version of the Peugeot 3008 SUV and 508 sedan later this year, and is eyeing off the all-electric 208 city car in 2022.

As it should be expected from a company as revered as Porsche, the German sports car brand is pushing the boundaries of battery-powered vehicles.

Using the know-how gathered from its Le Mans-winning sports car program, the stunning Porsche Taycan sedan arrives in local showrooms with immense performance – both in terms of its on-road credentials and 800V ultra-rapid charging capacity.

Further variations of the Taycan will be added, including a more affordable rear-drive entry version and a flagship Turbo S, while it is expected that Porsche will also create a shooting brake spin-off – as it has done with the Panamera – following the positive reaction to its Cross Turismo concept a few years ago.

Beyond that, Porsche’s recent stake in Croatian hypercar company Rimac is understood to be helping in the development of an EV option for the next-generation Porsche Macan small SUV as well as a flagship all-electric hypercar as a follow-on from the thrilling Porsche 918 Spyder.

Porsche is also toying with the idea of transitioning its Boxster and Cayman models to fully-electric powertrains with the next generation, which is due in the middle of the decade.

Renault recently unveiled a new plan to revitalise the French brand that, in spite of scaling back on its model line-up, includes seven new EV models plus moving its Alpine sports car division to an all-electric range by 2025.

Part of its rationalisation recently included the decision to pull out of Australia as a fully-fledged factory-backed operation and hand the local distribution rights to a new branch of specialist independent importer Ateco, which has yet to outline its long-term future plans and how soon EVs will form part of its local make-up.

That said, the reborn Renault 5 has garnered plenty of attention since a prototype was unveiled early in 2021, heralding a reinvention of the small hatch beloved by Europeans as a pure-electric supermini.

This American start-up brand has billions of Amazon dollars behind it to develop the Rivian R1T pick-up and R1S SUV and plans to offer both in right-hand drive, paving the way for the long-range off-roaders to be sold in Australia.

Just don’t expect them here any time before 2023!

Silence and seamless thrust are hallmarks of every Rolls-Royce, so it is inevitable that the iconic luxury brand will adopt EV technology in the future, with the first battery-powered Roller expected within the decade.

As a key pillar in the Volkswagen Group, Skoda is set to benefit from its German parent company’s billion-dollar push to dominate the EV landscape over the next 10 years.

It has already shown a trio of battery-powered concepts and is set to reveal its first full-production EV, called the Skoda Enyaq, later this year, with a possible local arrival in 2022 or 2023.

South Korea’s ‘other’ brand, SsangYong, revealed its EV intentions last year through a concept version of the SsangYong Korando SUV powered by a 140kW electric motor with a 65.5kWh battery that provides up to 400km of driving range.

A full production-ready model is expected to go on sale in South Korea later this year, and could arrive in Australia within the next 18 months to challenge the MG ZS EV as the country’s most affordable EV.

Toyota successfully tapped into Subaru’s performance know-how to revitalise its sports car credentials with the grin-worthy 86 coupe and now the Japanese car-makers are trading places as Toyota will give Subaru a leg-up in developing its first fully-electric car, a mid-size SUV that – at this stage – is earmarked exclusively for sale in Europe and Japan.

But that could change, as Subaru’s strong and loyal position here in Australia has given it tremendous bargaining power in the past.

Japan’s baby budget brand isn’t expected to jump quickly onto the EV bandwagon as it claims battery technology is too expensive at the moment for it to be a viable option for the brand.

The poster child of the electric car revolution is facing an onslaught of new competitors. But Tesla isn’t laying down, planning to fill-out its S3XY model range with the small Model Y SUV as well as the retro-futuristic Tesla Cybertruck and stunning new Tesla Roadster over the next 18 months.

An all-new small car dubbed the Tesla Model 2 is also in development at the company’s new R&D centre in Shanghai, China, and will target a price of $US25,000 – or around $A32,000, making it the most affordable, and probably the best-selling, model from the US brand.

For the company that pushed hybrid technology into the mainstream, Toyota has been conspicuously slow in moving into the full EV space.

But the Japanese brand is expected to charge forward at a rapid rate over the next decade. It has just introduced its first EV in Japan, the quirky C+Pod city commuter, and is jointly developing a battery-powered mid-size SUV with Subaru.

Locally, Toyota is also about to begin a public trial with businesses using the new-generation Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicle (FCEV).

The ‘Dieselgate’ emissions-cheating scandal that’s hit Volkswagen over the past few years has seen the German auto giant quickly shift its focus to electric vehicles with a bold plan to dominate the future of battery-powered mobility.

It has spent almost $100 billion in developing a new range of EVs across the Volkswagen Group, with a promise to deliver 75 new models from its brands before 2025.

For the VW brand, the first of those is expected to be the Volkswagen ID.4, which is an SUV that slots neatly into Australia’s fastest-growing segment, but it’s not due until late in 2023.

The other main contender is the Volkswagen ID.3, a small hatchback similar in size to the hugely popular Golf. It’s earmarked to arrive in Australia around the same time as the ID.4.

These will be joined by a wide range of EVs spanning various body styles, including SUVs of various size, sedans, a reborn Kombi and potentially even a beach buggy.

Volvo is rapidly walking away from combustion engines altogether, claiming half of its entire range will be fully-electric by 2025.

The Swedish brand introduced its first EV last year with the Volvo XC40 Recharge P8 and is expected to offer full battery-powered versions of its next-generation XC90 and XC60 SUVs when they are revealed within the next few years.

On top of that, it has already established its Polestar performance brand as a fully-electric operation with a promise to introduce it locally in 2022.