February was a busy month for Australian electric vehicle announcements, as several manufacturers confirmed new models for arrival later this year and announced updates to existing models.
A handful of vehicles in the pipeline are now available to purchase and will be on our roads in the next month or two.
There are now over 60 different electric vehicle models currently available in Australia, including roughly 10 in the light commercial segment. This figure is expected to grow to over 100 models by the end of 2024, giving consumers more choice and encouraging competition between the automakers.
EV sales started off slowly in January at only 5.4% of total new car sales, compared to 7.2% of the overall market during 2023.
This short term dip can be attributed to Tesla sales dropping by 66% for the month due to two separate issues affecting both Model Y and Model 3 deliveries. A few manufacturers including Tesla are offering discounts and incentives to try and boost demand for their EVs.
Below are the February highlights for the Australian electric vehicle market, broken down by category. You can also see a comprehensive list of all the electric vehicles currently available and coming soon on our EV models page which is updated with new information regularly. Range figures in the tables below are WLTP and prices do not include on-road costs.
See also: New EV models in 2024: What we will see, and what we likely won’t see.
New models coming soon
Porsche Macan
Porsche has unveiled their next fully electric vehicle, the Macan EV, due to enter production before the end of 2024. The Macan will be based on a new Premium Platform Electric architecture which uses 800 V and up to 270 kW DC fast charging. The top spec Macan Turbo will feature a dual motor drivetrain with 470 kW / 1,130 Nm capable of accelerating the vehicle from 0-100 km/h in 3.3 seconds.
See also: Porsche unveils Macan EV, with local pricing and specs announced.
Read more about the Porsche Macan.
| Variant | Starting Price | Driving Range | Battery Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Porsche Macan 4 | $133,700 | 613 km | 100 kWh |
| Porsche Macan Turbo | $180,100 | 591 km | 100 kWh |
Mini Countryman E
Mini has revealed specifications and Australian pricing for their new electric Countryman E and SE vehicles, which will be available here during the first half of 2024. All Mini Countryman variants are fitted with a 64 kWh battery pack, enabling nearly twice the WLTP driving range compared to the older Mini Cooper SE. Mini Countryman E variants are front-wheel drive whereas the SE ALL4 variants are all-wheel drive, sacrificing some driving range for improved performance.
See also: Mini adds bigger batteries, more range and dollars to EV lineup in Australia.
Read more about the Mini Countryman E.
| Variant | Starting Price | Driving Range | Battery Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mini Countryman E Core | $64,990 | 462 km | 64 kWh |
| Mini Countryman E Classic | $67,990 | 462 km | 64 kWh |
| Mini Countryman E Favoured | $70,990 | 462 km | 64 kWh |
| Mini Countryman SE ALL4 Classic | $72,990 | 433 km | 64 kWh |
| Mini Countryman SE ALL4 Favoured | $75,990 | 433 km | 64 kWh |
| Mini Countryman SE ALL4 JCW Sport | $77,990 | 433 km | 64 kWh |
Peugeot e-308
Peugeot has opened expressions of interest for the larger e-308 hatchback, launching in Australia during the second half of 2024 along with the smaller e-208. Battery size and WLTP driving range below are from overseas specifications, local pricing and final specifications will be confirmed closer to the launch.
See also: Peugeot adds another electric car and an electric van to its Australian EV line-up.
Read more about the Peugeot e-308.
| Variant | Starting Price | Driving Range | Battery Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peugeot e-308 | $TBA | 410 km | 54 kWh |
Chery Omoda E5
Chinese car manufacturer Chery has confirmed an electric version of the Omoda 5 SUV will be coming to Australia by mid-2024. Pricing is currently unknown, although the Omoda E5 will be pitched at the more affordable end of the market to compete with the BYD Atto 3 and MG ZS EV. A Standard and Premium variant are expected, both front-wheel drive with a WLTP driving range of 430 km.
See also: China’s Chery to release its first EV into Australia market mid year.
Read more about the Chery Omoda E5.
| Variant | Starting Price | Driving Range | Battery Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chery Omoda E5 | $TBA | 430 km | 61 kWh |
| Chery Omoda E5 Premium | $TBA | 430 km | 61 kWh |
Updates to existing models
Porsche Taycan
The Porsche Taycan shares its 800 V platform and fast 270 kW maximum charging speed with the Audi e-tron GT. There are 5 Taycan variants including the rear-wheel drive base model, providing more choice compared to the e-tron GT. The top spec Taycan Turbo S variant also pips the e-tron GT for power and acceleration, and the Porsche also has stiffer suspension tuned more for performance rather than comfort.
A facelifted 2025 model year Porsche Taycan is expected to arrive in the middle of 2024 with significant updates compared to current models. These include WLTP driving range of up to 678 km in the base rear-wheel drive variant which will make it the longest range EV on sale. The top-spec Taycan Turbo S features quicker acceleration of 0-100 km/h in 2.4 seconds, while maintaining impressive WLTP range of 630 km.
Note that figures in the table below are for the existing 2024 Porsche Taycan.
Read more about the Porsche Taycan.
| Variant | Starting Price | Driving Range | Battery Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Porsche Taycan | $164,400 | 369 km | 79 kWh |
| Porsche Taycan 4S | $205,300 | 365 km | 79 kWh |
| Porsche Taycan GTS | $248,300 | 485 km | 93 kWh |
| Porsche Taycan Turbo | $292,600 | 420 km | 93 kWh |
| Porsche Taycan Turbo S | $363,800 | 405 km | 93 kWh |
BMW i5
The BMW i5 is based on the same platform as the internal combustion engine 5-series BMWs. It is currently available in two sedan variants, the rear-wheel drive i5 eDrive40 and dual-motor all-wheel drive M60 xDrive. A third wagon variant has been announced due later in 2024, the BMW i5 M60 xDrive Touring which shares most of its specifications with the i5 M60 sedan for a slightly higher starting price.
See also: BMW announces pricing of its new electric wagon.
Read more about the BMW i5.
| Variant | Starting Price | Driving Range | Battery Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| BMW i5 eDrive40 | $155,900 | 582 km | 84 kWh |
| BMW i5 M60 xDrive | $215,900 | 516 km | 84 kWh |
| BMW i5 M60 xDrive Touring | $219,900 | 506 km | 84 kWh |
Vehicles now available to purchase
Polestar 4
Polestar’s next car to arrive in Australia after the Polestar 3 will be the Polestar 4 SUV coupé based on parent company Geely’s Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA) platform. It is expected to arrive in the second half of 2024 and is slightly smaller than the Polestar 3 SUV. The Long range Dual motor Polestar 4 will be Polestar’s quickest car with 0-100 km/h acceleration of 3.8 seconds.
Polestar 4 will also be the first Polestar to come without a rear window, featuring a camera based rear-view mirror instead. Polestar has now opened up orders for the Polestar 4 and confirmed just two long range variants will be available initially. A more affordable standard range single motor variant is expected to arrive at a later stage.
Read more about the Polestar 4.
| Variant | Starting Price | Driving Range | Battery Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Polestar 4 Long range Single motor | $81,500 | 610 km | 102 kWh |
| Polestar 4 Long range Dual motor | $92,150 | 580 km | 102 kWh |
LDV eDeliver 7
LDV introduced a smaller eDeliver 7 van to cater for people who don’t need the cargo space available in the larger eDeliver 9. The eDeliver 7 also offers more driving range and is much more affordable, with prices starting just below $60,000 for ABN holders. Four variants are available with either short or long wheelbases, low or high roof options and two battery sizes. Prices below are for ABN holders only, LDV has not yet released retail pricing for Australia.
See also: First drive in first one-tonne electric van to arrive in Australia.
Read more about the LDV eDeliver 7.
| Variant | Starting Price | Driving Range | Battery Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| LDV eDeliver 7 Short Wheelbase Low Roof | $59,990* | 318 km | 77 kWh |
| LDV eDeliver 7 Long Wheelbase Low Roof | $61,990* | 310 km | 77 kWh |
| LDV eDeliver 7 Long Wheelbase Low Roof | $64,990* | 362 km | 88 kWh |
| LDV eDeliver 7 Long Wheelbase High Roof | $66,990* | 328 km | 88 kWh |
BMW iX2
The BMW iX2 slots in between the BMW iX1 and iX3 SUVs. Two variants are available with the same 65 kWh battery pack, either the front-wheel drive iX2 eDrive20 or all-wheel drive iX2 xDrive30. The more expensive iX2 xDrive30 launches in the first quarter of 2024 while the iX2 eDrive20 will follow in mid-2024.
Read more about the BMW iX2.
| Variant | Starting Price | Driving Range | Battery Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| BMW iX2 eDrive20 | $82,900 | 477 km | 65 kWh |
| BMW iX2 xDrive30 | $85,700 | 449 km | 65 kWh |
Renault Megane E-Tech
The Renault Megane E-Tech is built on the dedicated CMF-EV platform and Renault says the electric motor uses no rare earth materials. It comes in a single front-wheel drive variant with up to 454 km WLTP driving range.
See also: Vive la différence! First drive of a Renault Megane E-Tech.
Read more about the Renault Megane E-Tech.
| Variant | Starting Price | Driving Range | Battery Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Renault Megane E-Tech | $64,990 | 454 km | 60 kWh |
Discounts and price changes
Subaru Solterra
Subaru’s first all-electric Solterra SUV is expected to arrive in Australian dealerships imminently, with dealers already reaching out to customers to place deposits and take test drives. The Solterra shares the same e-TNGA platform as the Toyota bZ4X SUV, which is also due soon. All Solterra variants include dual-motor all-wheel drive which makes sense given Subaru’s all-wheel drive focus throughout the rest of their internal combustion vehicle range.
Two Solterra variants will be offered in Australia with the same battery size and driving range. The Touring is differentiated by larger wheels and more premium interior features such as an upgraded sound system and upholstery.
Subaru has dropped the price of the Solterra by $8,000 for the base model and $6,700 for the Touring. See also: Subaru slashes prices of Solterra electric SUV before deliveries begin.
Read more about the Subaru Solterra.
| Variant | Starting Price | Driving Range | Battery Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subaru Solterra AWD | $69,990 | 414 km | 73 kWh |
| Subaru Solterra Touring AWD | $76,690 | 414 km | 73 kWh |
GWM Ora
Great Wall Motors (GWM) Ora is the first fully electric vehicle from the Chinese brand in Australia, and is currently one of the cheapest EVs with a starting price just below $40,000. Four variants of the Ora are available with two different battery sizes. In January 2024, GWM announced a $4,000 discount across the Ora range, making the GWM Ora Standard Range the cheapest new EV on sale at the moment. This discount only applies to 2023 model years is available until the end of March 2024.
Note that prices in the table below do not include the $4,000 discount.
Read more about the GWM Ora.
| Variant | Starting Price | Driving Range | Battery Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| GWM Ora Standard Range | $39,990 | 310 km | 48 kWh |
| GWM Ora Extended Range | $45,990 | 420 km | 63 kWh |
| GWM Ora Ultra Extended Range | $48,990 | 420 km | 63 kWh |
| GWM Ora GT Extended Range | $51,990 | 420 km | 63 kWh |
BYD Atto 3
The first entry into the Australian market from Chinese EV giant BYD, the Atto 3 is a rebadged Yuan Plus electric crossover. It comes with vehicle-to-load bi-directional charging and plenty of other features and technology for the price. The Atto 3 is currently the third best selling electric vehicle in Australia, behind Tesla’s Model Y and Model 3.
BYD are currently offering a $2,023 discount on 2023 model year Atto 3 vehicles, available until stock runs out.
Read more about the BYD Atto 3.
| Variant | Starting Price | Driving Range | Battery Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| BYD Atto 3 Standard Range | $48,011 | 345 km | 50 kWh |
| BYD Atto 3 Extended Range | $51,011 | 420 km | 60 kWh |
Tesla Model Y
The Tesla Model Y SUV is currently Australia’s best selling electric vehicle. It features similar exterior styling as the Model 3, with loads more storage space and slightly higher ground clearance. Similar to the Model 3, the Model Y is available in rear-wheel drive or long range all-wheel drive variants. The Model Y has not yet received an exterior and interior refresh like the Model 3, so it still has indicator and gear selector stalks on the steering wheel.
Tesla are currently enticing buyers to place new orders for Model 3 or Model Y with Full Self-Driving transfers and $1,500 discounts for Cybertruck reservation holders, both available until March 31, 2024.
Read more about the Tesla Model Y.
| Variant | Starting Price | Driving Range | Battery Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla Model Y Rear-Wheel Drive | $65,400 | 455 km | 60 kWh |
| Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD | $78,400 | 533 km | 80 kWh |
| Tesla Model Y Performance | $91,400 | 514 km | 80 kWh |
And a reminder that you can see a comprehensive list of all the electric vehicles currently available and coming soon on our EV models page.
Tim has 20 years experience in the IT industry including 14 years as a network engineer and site reliability engineer at Google Australia. He is an EV and renewable energy enthusiast who is most passionate about helping people understand and adopt these technologies.