There is no such thing as a doubt that 2023 was one other large 12 months for electrical automobiles in Australia, with gross sales rising exponentially and greater than 80,000 new EVs registered up to now, because of the rising recognition of the Tesla Mannequin Y and BYD Atto 3, and extra choices and provide from different producers.
The massive recreation changers in 2023 had been the arrival of the primary sub-$40,000 electrical automobile choices, the rising vary of BYD with the Seal, the refreshed Tesla Mannequin 3 and a few sturdy excessive efficiency fashions such because the Kia EV6 GT and the Hyundai Ioniq 5N.
What, although, would be the essential new options of the 2024 market in Australia, which has now firmly crossed the tipping level from the “early adopter” market in the direction of mass market adoption?
Sadly, there may be not but numerous information about extra fashions under the $40,000 mark, however there’ll some extremely anticipated automobiles – together with the primary in Australia from main manufacturers comparable to VW and Toyota, extra selection within the midsize SUV phase, and a few potential head-turners such because the VW ID.Buzz, its electrical Kombi.
For a full record of latest fashions coming quickly plus all the presently out there fashions see our up to date EV Fashions web page.
Audi This fall e-tron
The Audi This fall e-tron SUV might be Audi’s most inexpensive electrical automobile in Australia by far, at nearly half the worth of the most cost effective Audi Q8 e-tron presently out there. With extra driving vary than current Audi EVs and each SUV and sportback variants out there, it’s prone to rapidly develop into their hottest EV.
Audi’s This fall e-tron is constructed utilizing Volkswagen group’s devoted electrical automobile MEB platform, shared with the ID.4, ID.5 and Skoda Enyaq SUVs under. The primary This fall e-trons are anticipated to reach across the center of 2024 with a beginning value of $88,300 excluding on-road prices.
See additionally: Audi confirmed it can carry This fall e-tron electrical SUV to Australia in mid 2024.
Volkswagen ID.4 and ID.5
Volkswagen will lastly launch their ID vary of electrical automobiles right here in Australia in the course of the center of 2024, after they first revealed the ID.3 hatchback in 2019. Fairly than bringing the smaller ID.3 right here first, Volkswagen are beginning off with their ID.4 SUV and ID.5 Coupe SUV siblings.
Early Volkswagen ID automobiles had been marred by fiddly infotainment techniques and poor software program, however varied {hardware} and software program fixes have been made since then. These enhancements in addition to extra highly effective and environment friendly motors might be included with Australian automobiles.
See additionally: VW provides extra vary and new infotainment techniques to ID.4 and ID.5.
Skoda Enyaq
The Skoda Enyaq is the third midsize SUV based mostly on the Volkswagen group MEB platform coming to Australia subsequent 12 months. It’s going to arrive later within the 12 months in comparison with its Audi This fall e-tron and ID.4 / ID.5 cousins and affords totally different styling and strengths to the opposite automobiles on this group.
For instance, in response to abroad critiques evaluating the Skoda Enyaq in opposition to Volkswagen ID.4 or ID.5, the Skoda comes out forward when it comes to cupboard space and inside options. If you’re considering considered one of these electrical automobiles it could be value ready till later within the 12 months when all of them can be found to check drive and evaluate regionally.
See additionally: Skoda Enyaq noticed utilizing Tesla Supercharger in Dubbo.
Volkswagen ID.Buzz
Volkswagen’s iconic ID.Buzz is anticipated to launch in the direction of the top of 2024, though Volkswagen has not but confirmed particulars concerning battery sizes, driving vary or value for Australia. Regardless of the value although, the design and utility of the ID.Buzz is bound to draw consumers who need one thing distinctive.
Identified particulars up to now embrace the choice of a 5-seat quick wheelbase model, 7-seat lengthy wheelbase or a brief wheelbase ID.Buzz Cargo which might be ultimate for gentle industrial workloads or potential campervan functions.
See additionally: Volkswagen to carry a extra highly effective Kombi impressed ID.Buzz in 2023.
Kia EV5
The Kia EV5 has already launched in China at a value level that may make it probably the most inexpensive Kia electrical automobile up to now. Manufacturing of Australian EV5 automobiles will happen in Kia’s Chinese language manufacturing unit sooner or later throughout 2024.
Much like the EV6 and EV9, Kia’s EV5 relies on the feature-packed e-GMP platform that allows automobile to load in addition to versatile drivetrain choices. Not like current e-GMP automobiles although, the EV5 runs on a 400 V structure as a substitute of 800 V which permits Kia to maintain prices for the automobile down.
See additionally: Kia launches small EV5 electrical SUV in China, with a beginning value of round $A32,000.
Polestar 4
Polestar’s lineup will increase in 2024 with the Polestar 4 SUV coupe, which sits between the Polestar 2 and three when it comes to measurement and value vary. Lengthy vary Single motor variants will provide as much as 600 km WLTP vary from a 102 kWh battery pack. Twin motor variations of the Polestar 4 might be their quickest automobile thus far with 0-100 km/h acceleration in simply 3.8 seconds.
Probably the most controversial options of the Polestar 4 is the dearth of a rear window, that includes a digital camera based mostly rear-view mirror. Polestar says the digital camera gives a wider uninterrupted discipline of view in comparison with conventional rear-view mirrors, whereas permitting them to maximise inside house and luxury for rear seat passengers.
See additionally: Polestar 4 to boast lowest carbon footprint of all Polestar EVs, regardless of big battery.
Volvo EX90
Volvo’s 7-seater EX90 giant SUV shares underpinnings with the Polestar 3, that includes the identical highly effective dual-motor drivetrain paired with a big 111 kWh battery pack offering as much as 600 km WLTP vary. The EX90 might be Volvo’s first EV able to bi-directional charging, though the performance might be enabled at a later stage via software program updates.
Lidar may even debut on the EX90 as Volvo claims it will likely be their most secure and most superior automobile thus far. Knowledge from lidar, radar and cameras might be processed by on board computing powered by Nvidia to supply a real-time 360-degree view across the automotive, enabling early object detection and avoidance.
See additionally: Launch of Volvo EX90 EV delayed attributable to software program improvement challenges.
Toyota bZ4X and Subaru Solterra
Lastly, we get to see a totally electrical automotive from the world’s largest automotive model. These twin electrical automobiles from Toyota and Subaru are grouped collectively right here as a result of they had been collectively developed by the 2 firms, very like the Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ sports activities vehicles.
The bZ4X and Solterra pictured above share many options and specs, though Toyota affords a front-wheel drive mannequin for individuals who don’t want all-wheel drive.
Being the primary EV from each of those widespread Japanese manufacturers, there may be numerous expectation surrounding them. Their abroad launch was dampened by a recall for the Toyota bZ4X attributable to points with wheels falling off in addition to lacklustre software program.
Since then, a number of new software program variations have been launched to handle issues and enhance the possession expertise of those automobiles.
See additionally: Subaru opens orders and divulges pricing of Solterra electrical SUV.
Three new gentle industrial vans
The sunshine industrial van phase might be joined by three extra absolutely electrical fashions in 2024, offering extra choices for companies to affect their fleets. With decrease operating prices, a greater expertise for drivers and lowered noise and air pollution the place they function, electrical automobiles make sense for companies that may utilise them.
Ford’s E-Transit Customized is due within the second half of the 12 months, providing one thing smaller and extra nimble than the present E-Transit van. Peugeot’s e-Professional van, pictured above, is bigger and has extra driving vary than their current e-Companion that went on sale this 12 months.
The Renault Kangoo E-Tech improves on the ageing Kangoo ZE van with a extra highly effective electrical motor and as much as 285 km WLTP driving vary.
See additionally: Electrical gentle industrial vans: What’s out there in Australia and what’s coming?
Tim has 20 years expertise within the IT trade together with 14 years as a community engineer and web site reliability engineer at Google Australia. He’s an EV and renewable vitality fanatic who’s most obsessed with serving to individuals perceive and undertake these applied sciences.