The upcoming electric cars we’re most looking forward to
The supply of electric cars in Australia has grown significantly this year and over the next 12 months it will only get better.
From affordable Chinese city cars to mega-powerful German super sedans, there’s a plethora of options – see our for a full rundown detailed launch calendar.
Here are the upcoming electric cars we’re most excited about.
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Scott Collie: BMW i5 M60 xDrive
I’m not yet convinced how it looks, but there’s no denying that the i5 M60 looks like a gun.
With an output of 442 kW and a torque of 820 Nm, it accelerates to 100 km/h in just 3.8 seconds.
The Tesla Model S Plaid is faster, but that’s no longer coming to Australia, while the aerodynamic cockroach look of the Mercedes-AMG EQE does nothing for me.
After getting to know the interior of the new BMW 7 Series, the interior of the i5 also promises to be something very special. It looks amazing in the pictures and it feels just as good.
Will it drive like an M5? Probably not, but that’s not the point – and the i4 M50 xDrive shows that BMW knows how to corner a heavy electric car.
William Stopford: Kia EV9
It’s so hard not to name one Tony Crawford here and have a thousand different vehicles for the answer.
I am eagerly awaiting the Ford Puma EV as I really like the dynamics of the petrol model and how much a big old battery will destroy everything.
The upcoming BYD Seal and MG 4 are two of the most exciting electric vehicles from China. While pricing for the BYD hasn’t been announced yet, we already know that the MG 4 will be one of the more affordable electric vehicles on the market.
At the other end of the spectrum, the Maserati GranTurismo Folgore and the Rolls-Royce Specter excite me as they represent entirely new segments of electrification. This also applies to the upcoming electric cars from Dodge, which have not yet confirmed me for Australia, but excite me more than any other electric car.
But you asked for one, so I’ll give you one: the Kia EV9.
Along with large rear-wheel drive sedans, large three-row crossovers are well within my comfort zone. There’s been remarkably little activity in the EV space in this segment, but Kia will change that soon with the EV9 and Hyundai will follow next year with the related Ioniq 7.
I’m sure the packaging will be great thanks to the special EV architecture, but what I’m most excited about is how it drives. Will it feel like a bus ride? Will the ride be comfortable enough for a family SUV? How will the range be in real driving? I can’t wait to find the answers to all these questions.
James Wong: Peugeot e-208
Four years ago I attended a Peugeot event where the then CEO promised me that the new generation 208 would be available in Australia from 2020 in both petrol and electric versions – yes, I’m still waiting.
Peugeot has scrapped plans to bring its city hatch here as sales in the segment have been falling and demand has been very high in Europe, where it is a consistently top seller in the region.
But all is not lost yet. The sexy little pug isn’t far from an Australian launch in the all-electric E-208 spec, and I think it could put Peugeot back on the map.
While the Chinese brands are really capitalizing on “affordable” EVs (if you’re talking $50,000 these days), few of the legacy brands have managed to make a name for themselves Down Under.
Considering the larger E-2008 will cost $59,990 when it launches later this year, the E-208 should make it in the $50,000-55,000 mark here, which is pricey for a lightweight car , but an interesting proposition for those who want a premium electric car would be compact.
It’s hugely popular abroad and a recent update has increased the WLTP range to over 400km for 2023 model years. Just get it here!
Jack Quick: Hyundai Ioniq 5 N
The upcoming electric car I’m most looking forward to is the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, which will make its public debut at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed in July.
As of this writing, it is expected to arrive in Australia in either late 2023 or early 2024.
I’m really excited to see how the Ioniq 5 N’s virtual dual-clutch gearbox will look in person and if it actually enriches the driving experience.
Something else that intrigues me is the N Sound Plus, which aims to provide an immersive driving experience with artificial exhaust sounds, pops and pops, and rev noise.
I usually turn off a lot of these synthesized sounds in electric vehicles as I hate being pulled out of the quiet atmosphere they offer.
Plus, I can’t wait to beam a big grin as I leave absolutely every car in the rearview mirror as I exit the traffic light. My last name is Quick, what can I say?
Alborz Fallah: None of that
I took my 11 year old son for a spin in a Lamborghini Aventador Ultimae the other night and do you know what he said to me? “Dad, it’ll be sad when cars don’t sound like this anymore.” A proud father-son moment if there ever was one. No paternity test is required here.
The EV I’m most looking forward to is… absolutely none. Seriously, I’m a bit over electric cars. The internal combustion engine may be dead, but I’m not ready to move on just yet. I need time to heal.
It takes me time to realize that despite all the marketing material I’m exposed to on a daily basis, nothing can ever replace the feeling of an internal combustion engine revved to its limit.
Having just come back from the Lexus RZ electric SUV launch, which wasn’t great, I’m a little tired of EVs at the moment. Yes, they are the future and I will own one someday (love the crazy look of the Polestar 3, it just needs to come down in price). My favorite drive is probably the Kia EV6 GT because it’s a fantastic choice (compared to other EVs) at a great price. But what about the “enthusiasm” for an electric vehicle? No thank you.
You overcome the sudden acceleration boost after about half an hour and then you have one device left over. And I love a good device. We have a smart kettle at the CarExpert Brisbane office that you can control from your phone (it really doesn’t save any time) and that’s cool… but not exciting.
I’m also not keen on running home to use my fridge. I appreciate my fridge, it serves a purpose but doesn’t touch the soul.
Jade Credentino: Ford Mustang Mach-E
So many new electric vehicles will come onto our market in the coming years that seem particularly interesting.
The onslaught of electric vehicles from Europe is very exciting, and China is definitely stepping up its pace.
With that in mind, I’m not going to choose either continent and I’ll go with the American Ford Mustang Mach-E.
Although it has already been announced for Australia, it has yet to reach our shores.
I’d look at the mid-range Premium, which has a 91kWh battery feeding a rear-axle mounted 216kW, 430Nm motor.
Ford says the vehicle has a range of 400 miles, so I can finally say goodbye to range anxiety… I live in an area where there are public chargers and access to charge an EV is almost impossible.
The car looks good and although it’s electric so doesn’t make any funny noises, the track is still fun to drive.
I’m really looking forward to getting behind the wheel later this year and seeing if it lives up to my high expectations.
Tony Crawford: BMW i5 M60 xDrive
Oh no, the boss has asked me to narrow my selection of the most anticipated electric vehicles to just one – how dare he, with so many great things to come (when did that ever stop you? – ed. ed.)
The Maserati GranTurismo Folgore, which I drove as a prototype, is sensational, then there’s the Hyundai Ioniq 5N, which is said to be a beast – and of course the high-performance version of the MG 4. I can’t wait.
But if I limit myself to just one choice, I would say: the BMW i5 M60, which will be launched on the Australian market later this year.
If you haven’t driven the current BMW i4 M50, it’s one of the most exhilarating driving experiences I’ve ever had – amazingly fast, comfortable and spacious with some of the most advanced technology and infotainment options on the market.
The handling and ride are simply amazing in terms of both the sharpness and linearity of the feedback the rider receives. I expect the bar to be raised even higher with the i5 M60.
Derek FungID. Buzz GTX
While I’d happily accept the offer to drive a Nevera or Battista, the electric vehicle I most want to drive is a Volkswagen ID.Buzz GTX.
Maybe I have strong ideas about what a supercar should sound like, but if we’re being honest, that’s mostly because I’m a boring middle-aged man with boring middle-aged needs who just want a little dose of whimsical dash performance.
The 150 kW basic ID.Buzz is wonderfully practical, spacious and lovingly retro-styled, but liveliness is not its forte. A 250kW, dual-motor, all-wheel-drive system should fix all that.
Hopefully Volkswagen will also outfit the GTX with illuminated and non-capacitive piano black controls.
