Sales of electric vehicles remain low in Australia, but with every month that goes by they gain momentum.
We thought a list of which electric cars are coming to these shores, as well those that are on-sale already, might make for a useful consumer guide.
UPDATE: Please refer to our more recent and up-to-date EV calendar here.
Each model is linked to corresponding content. Several brands and models (such as the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Fiat 500 EV) are not listed here simply because there’s no Australian launch confirmation. Yet.
Audi
Ingolstadt’s finest offers the E-Tron SUV in two body styles, and is about to launch the E-Tron GT sedan halo car. The Q4 E-Tron small SUV is expected in 2022.
On sale
Coming
- E-Tron S SUV : Pushed to Q1 2022
- E-Tron GT sedan: Pushed to 2022
- Q4 E-Tron SUV : Expected 2022
BMW
After beating most to the punch with the edgy i3, BMW took a break. But it’s back with a vengeance, with customers now able to order the iX3 (an X3 EV), and ground-up EV-only models the iX SUV and i4 Gran Coupe/sedan.
On sale
BYD
The Warren Buffett-backed brand is a massive battery and EV bus maker from China, and it’s coming to Australia through an official distributor called Nexport, which will sell the cars online to the public. The cheapest EVs out there.
On sale
Coming
- EA1 hatch: Confirmed first half of 2022
- Yuan Plus SUV: Confirmed first half of 2022
Cupra
The sporty division of VW’s Spanish company SEAT is launching in Australia shortly, and will beat VW and Skoda to the punch here by launching the Born EV hatch as soon as late 2022.
On sale – nil
Coming
- Born hatch: Confirmed late 2022
Genesis
Hyundai’s luxury division isn’t messing about with its EV rollout, with at least three models coming in 2022 including the ground-up-new GV60.
On sale – nil
Coming
- GV60 hatch: First half of 2022
- Electrified G80 sedan : First half of 2022
- Electrified GV70-type SUV: First half of 2022
Hyundai
One of Australia’s inarguable EV leaders, Hyundai gets access to international products that are the envy of many competitors that are stuck with dregs. More Ioniqs are locked and loaded.
On sale
- Ioniq hatch
- Kona Electric SUV
- Nexo Hydrogen SUV
- Ioniq 5 hatch (sold out for now)
Coming
- Ioniq 6 sedan: Confirmed for 2022/3
- Ioniq 7 SUV: Confirmed for 2022/3
- Ioniq 5 N hot hatch: Confirmed for 2022/3
Jaguar
Jaguar is about to through another rebirth under a new CEO, with a range of pure-electric vehicles by 2025 all built on a shared platform. For now though there’s the still-space-age I-Pace.
On sale
Kia
Kia’s first EV, the Niro, is here. But the big news is the ground-up-new EV6 hatchback that’s due in increments over 2022. A brand new Niro is also expected soon, given we have spy pics of test cars already.
On sale
- Niro: On sale
Coming
- EV6 lower-power models: First half of 2022
- EV6 GT: Late 2022 or early 2023
- New-gen Niro: Late 2022 or early 2023
Lexus
Japan’s luxury player gets its first EV, based on the familiar UX, late this year to sell alongside the existing petrol and hybrid versions.
On sale – nil
Coming
- UX300e: Late 2021
Mazda
The quirky freestyle-door MX-30 EV crossover is now on sale.
On sale
Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz is well on track to going all-electric, with a range of EV options already on sale in Australia and numerous others coming. This list doesn’t include the EQT van or EQG 4×4 either, since neither is production-ready.
On sale
Coming
- EQS sedan: Pushed to Q1 2022
- EQA 350 SUV: Pushed to Q1 2022
- Mercedes-AMG EQS 53 sedan: First half 2022
- EQB SUV: First half 2022
- EQE sedan: Second half 2022
MG
Maker of Australia’s number-two-selling electric car, the ZS small SUV, the company has big plans to grow further in Australia. But there’s nothing else to confirm.
On sale
Coming
- ZS EV update – Q3 2022
Mini
According to BMW, Mini will be “offering exclusively all-electric vehicles from 2030”. For now in Australia its only EV is the cute Mini Hatch, though a Countryman EV is certain.
On sale
Coming
- Next-gen Mini Electric: During 2023
Nissan
Nissan’s Leaf is one of the cheapest and best-known EVs and now comes with two battery options. Next up is the ground-up Ariya crossover, which Nissan Australia is keen to get as soon as it can. Our bet is 2023.
On sale
- Leaf hatch: On sale
Coming
- Ariya SUV: Launched globally, Australia on wait list
Peugeot
Peugeot Australia will introduce its first battery-electric vehicles in 2022, following the introduction of its first plug-in hybrids later this year. Whether all three listed are locked in is not quite clear.
On sale – nil
Coming
- e-208 hatch: Expected 2022
- e-2008 SUV: Expected 2022
- Partner van: Expected 2022
Polestar
The brand created by Volvo and Geely will hit Australia in late 2021 with the Polestar 2 sedan. The brand will have online sales and ‘Polestar Spaces’ to showcase the cars in a retail environment.
On sale – nil
Coming
- Polestar 2 sedan: November 2021
Porsche
The Taycan has been a strong seller since arriving in Australia, and will be reinforced by the Cross Turismo version this year. The Macan will also go electric in next-generation form.
On sale
Coming
- Macan: Expected 2022
Renault
Renault no longer sells the Zoe, but does offer the Kangoo Z.E van. It recently premiered the Megane E-Tech crossover for Europe and will launch a retro-cute Renault 5 in 2024. Timing alas is not confirmed for Australia, which has its hand up.
On sale
Coming
- New Kangoo: Expected 2022
- Megane E-Tech SUV: Confirmed, Australia under consideration
- Renault 5 hatch: Confirmed, Australia under consideration
Rivian
Rivian
Startup EV maker backed by Ford and Amazon is scaling up US output of its electric adventure pickup and – soon – SUV. And Australia is in its plans… eventually.
Coming
- R1T: Expected 2023/4
Skoda
Skoda’s Enyaq SUV has gotten off to a good start in Europe. As with VW, its Australian arm is not considered a priority market and based on our conversations with the brand it won’t get here until 2023 or 2024.
On sale – nil
Coming
- Enyaq SUV: Locked in, expected arrival 2023
Tesla
Tesla dominates Australia’s electric car sales, thanks to the groundbreaking Model 3. The Model Y is due shortly, and like the 3 will come from China. As far as the Roadster and Cybertruck go, there’s nothing official for Australia.
On sale
Coming
- Model Y SUV: 2022
- Roadster: Production 2023, Australia TBC
- Cybertruck: Production 2022, Australia TBC
Toyota
Toyota sells the Mirai hydrogen FCEV, and has confirmed it will launch the bZ4x ground-up crossover – at this stage during 2023.
On sale – nil
- Mirai FCEV sedan: On sale
Coming
- bZ4x SUV: Late 2022
Volkswagen
Volkswagen’s ID.3 and ID.4 are popular in Europe, so much so that no production will be directed to Australia until 2023 or 2024. The ID.5 coupe-crossover is a lock, as is the reborn Kombi as previewed by the ID.Buzz.
On sale – nil
Coming
- ID.3 hatch: Confirmed for launch, expected 2023
- ID.4 SUV: Confirmed for launch, expected 2023
- ID.5 SUV: Confirmed for launch, expected 2024
- ID.Buzz people-mover: Confirmed for launch, expected 2024
XC40
Volvo
The first shipment of electric XC40s sold out quickly, suggesting Volvo’s customers are ready for EVs. The sleek C40 Recharge crossover spinoff is next up, with arrivals by the end of 2022.
On sale
Coming
- C40 Recharge crossover: Confirmed late 2022
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MORE: Our full database of EV stores
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MORE: Victoria commits to electric car subsidies, 2030 sales target
MORE: Victoria’s ‘worst EV policy in the world’ slammed
MORE: Northern Territory commits to electric car incentives
MORE: Australian industry keeps calling for new government CO2 targets
MORE: ACT moving public-servant fleet to EVs, will slash running costs
MORE: How Australia’s federal opposition proposes to slash EV prices
Did we miss anything? Have you got some intel or tips? Let us know in the comments!
