Here's all the new electric cars or EVs coming to Australia in 2021

Watch any overseas You Tube channel and you may be led to believe that in Australia and NZ we’re being left wanting. And you’d be absolutely correct. Many electric cars are simply not being introduced to our countries due to perceived limited appeal and demand. For more on that list of no shows, follow this link here.

But let’s not focus on the negative. There are some truly awesome vehicles coming to Australia and New Zealand. So here are just some of the new EV models we expect to arrive in 2021, or maybe 2022!

Audi RS e-Tron GT

13

The sister vehicle to the Porsche Taycan, the Audi RS e-Tron GT is the first Audi RS model to go fully-electric, beating rivals BMW M and Mercedes-AMG to market with emissions-free motoring.

Power comes from a 93kWh gross (83.7kWh usable) battery which feeds two motors – a 175kW motor powers the front axle and is shared with the regular e-Tron GT, but the rear is larger and more powerful, at 335kW. Just like the Taycan, there’s a two-speed transmission on the rear axle, and a focus on coasting rather than regeneration to extend battery range. This is a worthwhile and proven approach taken by so many Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV owners.

Charge times will also be equivalent to the Taycan, with a maximum DC charging capacity of 270kW, for a 100km of driving range in five minutes. A 50kW DC charger boosts the battery from five to 80 per cent in around 1.5 hours, or 22kW AC charger from 0-100 per cent in around 4.5 hours.

If you want to know how it drives, look up the Late Brake Show review or any Taycan You Tube channel.

The Audi e-Tron GT is due to arrive in Australia during the third quarter of 2021. With so many Audi Quattro fans on the EVolution team, we can’t wait!

BMW iX

13

The iX is BMW’s first electric SUV and features their ‘fifth-generation’ electric powertrain technology. It has an electric motor on each axle providing 367kW which can get it from 0-100km/h in a little under five seconds

BMW states the iX is capable of up to a 200W DC fast charge which will charge up to 80% in around 40mins. With the 100kWh battery pack, the iX offers a drive range of around 630km on one charge.

Designed from the ground up, its comparable in size and height to the X5 and X6, with the same wheelbase as the X7, BMW Australia has confirmed the iX will be available in the second half of 2021.

BMW iX3

13

Coming to Australia mid 2021, the BMW iX3 100% electric SUV sets new benchmarks. Delivering up to 460km of range on the WLTP test cycle. Innovative technologies, such as brake energy recovery, help to extend the range and reduce energy consumption to 18.9–18.5 kWh/100 km.

The iX3 is capable of receiving 80 per cent charge in 34 minutes with DC Fast charging and has an 80kWh electric powertrain to the tune of 210kW and 400Nm capable of 0-100km/h in 6.8-seconds, .

The 80kWh battery sends power to a single motor at the rear axle for exclusively rear-wheel drive. This differs by comparison to some of its competitors, which use multiple motors for all-wheel-drive.

Ford Mustang Mach E

13

Ford’s first fully-fledged electric car is the Ford Mustang Mach-E. Built on an all-new platform, this all-electric SUV is available with either a 76 or 99kWh battery plus, either a single motor rear-wheel drive or twin motor all-wheel drive layout.

The entry level car weighs in at just under 2 tonnes has 254bhp and goes up to the potent GT all-wheel drive version at 480bhp, boasting 0-100km/h in around 3.5 secs.

The all-wheel drive layout channels a 342kW and 830Nm outputs of a 75.7kWh lithium-ion battery (a 98.8kWh extended driving range battery is available). Ford has estimated ranges of 340 and 435 km, respectively with up to 480 km from full charge with the extended-range battery.

Priced from $43,895 (AU$64,469) to $59,900 (AU$87,969) in the US, it rivals other electric SUVs on the market, including the Audi e-tron, Jaguar iPace and Tesla Model X.

Hyundai Kona Electric

13

This new updated version of Hyundai’ electric crossover is already available in Australia. Boasting a number of upgrades including new exterior styling and improved interior technology.

Hyundai's SmartSense safety suite now includes Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA), Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA), Leading Vehicle Departure Alert (LVDA), Safe Exit Warning (SEW), and Rear Seat Alert (RSA).

Kona Electric's battery pack capacity remains at 64kWh but its driving range is now listed at up to 484km (WLTP), which is an improvement on the 449km for the current model.

Outputs are also unchanged, at 150kW and 395 kilometres with 0 -100km/h identical to the 7.6 seconds listed for the current model.

Charging times are slightly improved on the outgoing model claiming to take 47 minutes with a 100kW DC fast charger.

Ioniq 5

13

The mid-sized IONIQ 5 SUV is the first Hyundai to be based on the new E-GMP architecture. Expected in Australia around end 2021, it offers two battery pack options – 58kWh or 72.6kWh – and two electric motor layouts – rear or front/rear, the latter providing all-wheel drive.

With the high-capacity battery, the dual-motor AWD model is claimed to deliver total outputs of 225kW and 605Nm of torque and 0-100km/h in around 5.2 seconds. That figure rises to 6.1sec in 58kWh dual-motor AWD form, to 7.4sec in 72.6kWh single-motor 2WD form (in which peak torque reduces to 350Nm), and to 8.5sec in 58kWh/2WD guise. All versions will have a 185km/h top speed.

In 72.6kWh battery/rear-drive form, the IONIQ 5 is claimed to offer a maximum driving range of 470-480km (WLTP).

With the bigger battery, Hyundai claims a 350kW fast charger will charge the Ioniq to 80 per cent in 18 minutes, and a full 100 kilometres of driving range will be available after five minutes of charging. The 72.6kWh battery will also bring up to 480km range

The Australian price tag is expected to exceed $70,000 as New Zealand pricing has revealed the entry-level model will land close to NZ$80,000 (AU$75,000).

Kia e-Niro

13

Kia's entry into the EV market – the e-niro is expected in Australia in 2021.

The 2019 model delayed arrival in Australia was due to fulfilling high demand in other countries combined with a lack of EV incentives from the Australian Government.

The 64kWh battery size is the same as the Kona Electric and offers a 480+ kilometre driving range. The expected cost will most likely be around $60,000 plus on-road fees.

Kia has gone to the effort of installing chargers in their Australian dealerships and teaching service centres how to work with the technology in preparation

.

Lexus UX300e

13

The Japanese Lexus UX300e if their first 100% electric car produced for public consumption. Currently expected to arrive in Australia end 2021, it will most likely beat parent company Toyota to the EV race in the country.

Lexus says the arrival will form a new “flagship” of the UX SUV range, although prices for the UX300e have not been confirmed for Australia yet.

Its likely that the regular range will start at $44,450 plus on-road costs for a UX200 Luxury (excluding on-road costs) and rise to $64,000 before on-roads for a top-line UX250h F Sport AWD.

Exact specifications for the Australian launch and yet to be released, but will share the same pure battery-electric drivetrain as the rest of the world.

Lexus fits a 150kW electric motor with 300Nm of torque and a 54.3kWh lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery pack to the UX300e, producing a driving range of up to 400km.

Its lithium-ion battery can be recharged in just 50 minutes with DC fast charging or about seven hours using standard household AC power.

Mazda MX-30

13

Mazda's first production EV is the MX-30, and is now available in Australia.

Comes with cutting-edge style and features sustainable materials

Currently the E35 Astina comes as a single high-spec variant, with a small 35.5kWh lithium-ion battery. Coming in at around $65,490 plus on-road costs.

The electric range is just 200km according to WLTP tests (224km on ADR tests) and the drivetrain is a 107kW/271Nm. Power is sent to the front wheels through a single speed reduction gear which effectively feels like there is no gearbox at all.

Taking approx 36 minutes to charge to 80% on a DC fast charger, or three hours on the maximum AC charging rate.

Nissan Leaf e+

13

Now available in Australia, tThe Nissan Leaf e+ features a 62kWh battery (up from 40kWh) which can reach 384 kilometres on a single charge. This is a significant improvement on the standard Leaf of an extra 110-kilometre.

Having the same improved 160kW/340Nm outputs as overseas markets in the e+, this boost the Leaf from 0-100km/h in 7.3 seconds (an improvement of 0.6 seconds).

Prices start at $60,490 plus on-road costs.

Polestar 2

13

The first Volvo-based Polestar electric car due in Australia by end 2021

Powered by two electric motors and has a claimed battery capacity of 78 kWh, this should give it a real-world driving range close to 500km on a single charge (officially around 450 to 480km on Europe’s WLTP test cycle). Enough to rival the Tesla Model 3.

The all-wheel-drive, long-range powertrain has a combined output of 300kW and 660Nm, enough to do the 0-100km/h in around 4.7 seconds.

Volvo XC40 Recharge

13

The XC40 battery-electric version is available now in Australia and provides enough juice to travel up to 400kms

Powering all four wheels is a pair of electric motors and a 78kWh lithium-ion battery which combine to develop 300kW and 660Nm. Charging to 80% with DC fast charger in 40 minutes and a 4.9-second boost from 0-100km/h, it makes the electric XC40 the quickest-accelerating Volvo on sale in Australia

Pricing starts at $76,990 plus on road costs.