The electric vehicles you can buy in Australia

As more electric vehicles enter the local market, we are starting to see diversity when it comes to pricing and vehicle types.

Here is a list of what you can buy today, delivery delays permitting.

EVs under $50k

• Hyundai Ioniq Electric
• MG ZS EV
• Nissan Leaf

EVs between $50k and $75k

• Tesla Model 3
• Hyundai Kona EV Standard Elite
• Polestar 2
• Kia Niro Electric S
• Mazda CX-30 E35 Astina
• Lexus UX300e Luxury
• Mini SE Classic
• Kia EV6
• Hyundai Ioniq 5

EVs between $75k and $100k

• Kia EV6 GT-Line AWD
• Hyundai Ioniq 5 AWD
• Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric
• Tesla Model 3 Performance

EVs between $100k and $150k

• Audi e-tron 55 quattro
• BMW iX3
• BMW i4 M50
• BMW iX xDrive 40
• Mercedes-Benz EQC 400
• Jaguar I-Pace EV400 S

EVs over $150k

• Porsche Taycan
• Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo

EVs under $50k

Our pick: Hyundai Ioniq Electric

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The somewhat humble Ioniq Electric remains the best value (if not one of the cheapest) electric cars in Australia.

Not particularly accelerative, nothing particularly special about its range, but you do get that clearer conscience, lovely electric-motor driveability and refinement, and rock-solid modern Hyundai build quality. Just try not to think about all the much cheaper, arguably better, equivalent-sized petrol-powered alternatives.

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MG ZS EV

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Australia’s cheapest electric SUV might be made in China, but isn’t that true of most of the stuff you buy? We wouldn’t be too quick to write it off either way, as MG is trying hard to produce a quality EV at a low price, and it’s mostly succeeded. Unlike the Hyundai Ioniq, the MG ZS EV's price is drive-away.

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Nissan Leaf

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It's an EV pioneer, but these days the Leaf is a lot of money for an ageing, mediocre-driving Nissan hatchback. But, unlike most other EVs, the Leaf supports EV-to-grid reverse powering – meaning your Leaf could in theory power your home, for whenever the grid and your home itself is just as high-tech.

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EVs between $50-75K

Our pick: Tesla Model 3

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Still the world’s benchmark electric car and for good reason: it just does most things very well. That’s overlooking some build quality concerns as Tesla has attempted to find its feet as a vehicle manufacturer.

But as our comparo with the Ioniq 5 proves, the entry-level Model 3's status here as our ‘pick’ is very much under threat from the Korean and a horde of other electric vehicles that have recently arrived or are coming soon. This pricing segment is shaping up as the bloodiest battleground in the intensifying EV turf wars.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The entry-level Tesla Model 3 was previously known as Model 3 Standard Range Plus, but was rebadged simply as Model 3 in November 2021 along with an update that saw its driving range extended from 448 kilometres to 491km.

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Hyundai Kona EV Standard Elite

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Unique styling lets people know there ain’t no dinosaur juice exploding under the bonnet of this Kona. Much like its Kia Niro cousin, the electric Kona is a solid EV all-rounder providing decent overall performance and range for the price. More powerful (and expensive) longer-range versions also available.

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Polestar 2

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Oozing Scandinavian style, the Polestar 2 is Volvo and parent company Geely’s first crack at a proper Tesla rival and is available with Standard and Long Range variants with starting prices all under $70,000.

It may not match either the Model 3 or Ioniq 5 for standard safety features, but neither does it make them completely unavailable. And even after ticking a few option boxes each version will still come in under the price of the Ioniq.

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Kia Niro Electric S

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A single electric motor imbues the little Kia Niro SUV with a level of refinement missing in its cheaper hybrid and plug-in equivalents (although the entry-level hybrid is $25K cheaper). The Niro offers decent performance and range for the price, but it's dated and doesn't really offer anything in terms of wow factor, which you'd expect in this price range.

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Mazda MX-30 E35 Astina

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Funky doors, quirky exterior and cool interior details don’t quite make up for the relaxed acceleration and controversially short driving range of Mazda’s first-ever EV. Mazda says city-dwelling owners wouldn’t want to pay for, or have to lug around, a bigger battery; we’ll find out when it joins our long-term fleet. On the plus side, it drives well.

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Lexus UX300e Luxury

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Lexus's first BEV is a seamless conversion of its popular UX crossover, which looks virtually identical to its petrol and hybrid siblings.

It's not the most powerful or long-distance EV on the market, but it's packaged nicely and offers surprisingly sharp handling. The price includes a heap of standard features and freebies, such as a 7kW AC home charger and three years of Chargefox charging.

A UX300e Sport Luxury range-topper is available for $81,000 and brings a bunch of extras, but the same powertrain and performance.

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Mini SE Classic

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Wouldn’t it be cool to drop the BMW i3’s tiny-yet-mighty electric motor into a modern Mini bodyshell? Well, you’re looking at it. The three-door SE Classic appeals more than we’d like to admit – and not just because it’s not another infernal SUV – but its equally cutesy driving range will be a deal-breaker for some.

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Kia EV6

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Kia's first bespoke battery-electric model offers a comfortable and fun drive, quality materials, excellent fit-and-finish, loads of tech and safety, and room for the family.

It's priced from $67,990 before on-road costs, it features two RWD variants priced under $75k, which brings it within range of the Tesla Model 3 while undercutting its cousin the Hyundai Ioniq 5 – which has so far been offered only in an expensive, high-specification grade.

But like the Ioniq 5, availability of the EV6 is extremely limited, with only 500 making their way to Australia in the new electric vehicle's first allocation.

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Hyundai Ioniq 5

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Like its EV6 cousin, this is a red-hot contender for ‘our pick’ for this price bracket. Decent acceleration and range, but also futuristic interior and exterior styling, crammed full of cutting edge technology and the best engineering Hyundai currently offers. Tesla is on notice as additional variants arrive.

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EVs between $75-100K

Our pick: Kia EV6 GT-Line AWD

At the top of the Kia EV6 range is the all-wheel-drive, dual-motor GT-Line, which is capable of getting to 100km/h in 5.2 seconds, offers 484km and is pitched at $82,990.

It recently came up trumps in a recent comparison test with the Ioniq 5 AWD and Polestar 2 Long Range Single Motor and where it justified its additional cost over its Korean cousin with its additional tech, longer range, slightly quicker pace, longer factory warranty and more sophisticated suspension.

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Hyundai Ioniq 5 AWD

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One of the hottest electric cars right now. Hyundai has thrown its engineering might behind the machine it hopes will topple Tesla. And the all-wheel-drive, dual-motor variant (this one) is the one you want. Luxe interior, fine comfort, potent performance and high-tech recharging capabilities, it’s the car that really announces the Koreans’ arrival into the EV space.

How much does it matter that it doesn't match the $78,458 Tesla Model 3 Long Range’s claimed 580km WLTP driving range?

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Mercedes-Benz EQA 250

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The second instalment in Merc’s EQ range, the EQA is a restyled GLA with a front-mounted single electric motor. It offers Mercedes-Benz quality, a decent combination of driving range and performance, and that famous green clear conscience. Hotter, dual-motor, 214kW/520Nm EQA350 coming early next year.

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Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric

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Volvo’s first-ever EV is also one of the most powerful cars in its 94-year history. Packing dual motors for potent acceleration, the XC40 slays its Tesla price rival for build quality and finish – as we would expect, given the petrol-powered XC40 was our 2019 Car of the Year.

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Tesla Model 3 Performance

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Elon’s dual-motor missile delivers point-to-point ability to rattle the likes of an M3 or AMG C63. It's vicious, near-silent electric acceleration puts even modern supercars on notice. As for its involvement factor, driving enthusiasts might find one blast on a twisty road enough to satisfy all curiosities. Still, an incredibly impressive vehicle.

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BMW i4 eDrive40

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Just sneaking into this category with a retail price of $99,900, the battery-powered version of the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe uses fifth-generation BMW eDrive technology, with a big 84kWh battery capable of 200kW DC charging.

The eDrive40 features a single electric motor sending 250kW/420Nm to the rear wheels, with a driving range of 520km.

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EVs between $100-150K

Our pick: Audi e-tron 55 quattro

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It’s got cameras for side mirrors to make your buddies think they’re in an episode of Futurama, but the incredibly polished, super-stylish dual-motor e-tron is for those who want a normal large SUV with all the advantages of electric – sans, perhaps, a big front boot. Fun to drive, if very heavy. Range could be better. Won a comparo against Merc EQC; might struggle to repeat the feat against the BMW iX.

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BMW iX3

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Only the second pure-electric BMW after the i3, the iX3 is, yep, an X3 with an electric motor under the boot driving the rear wheels only. Its EV retrofitting means it misses out on a big front boot, but the iX3 has potential to be an all-star EV all-rounder. We drive it in Oz soon.

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BMW i4 M50

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BMW's first all-electric M car is at $124,900 before on-road costs. Like the i4 eDrive40 it uses an 84kWh battery capable of 200kW DC charging, but employs two motors, powering both the front and rear axles for a brutish 400kW/795Nm output and 3.9-second sprint to 100km/h. Driving range is reduced to 465km per charge.

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BMW iX xDrive 40

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Fresh off the boat in Australia, the new iX SUV could be our ‘Wheels pick’ for this pricing category when we drive it, which should be very soon. Debuts ‘Gen5’, the most cutting-edge electric vehicle tech in the BMW line-up to extract optimum range and performance from the battery.

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Mercedes-Benz EQC 400

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As the first member of Mercedes’s new EQ family, the EQC was more than just a restyled GLC with two electric motors and no petrol tank. It was so good, in fact, it was our 2020 Car of the Year. Recently scored a generous price cut (although now has less standard kit).

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Jaguar I-Pace EV400 S

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Not quite a car, not quite an SUV, there is no other vehicle quite like the swoopy Ian Callum-designed I-Pace. A finalist at our 2019 Car of the Year, the I-Pace has struggled to meet its claimed driving range, but remains one of the more dynamically talented and polished premium EVs.

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EVs more than $150K

Our pick: Porsche Taycan

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Globally, Porsche’s first all-electric production model has been given a resounding thumbs-up by customers, with sales to date neck-and-neck with the 911.

While it obviously lacks a thumping V8 note or a scorching flat-six scream, the rapid Taycan bristles with Porsche ‘feel’ so many other manufacturers have spent billions trying – and mostly failing – to imitate. Don’t tell A Current Affair, but the Taycan will even drift and do doughnuts.

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Porsche Taycan Turbo Cross Turismo

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If the word ‘budget’ is nothing more than a footnote in your EV purchasing process, this may appeal. The Cross Turismo – packing 500kW on ‘overboost’ – is the brilliant Taycan engineering in a drop-dead sexy shooting brake body on slightly higher-riding suspension. Give us a moment, please.

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