Senior Journalist

CarsGuide

30 Jun 2022 • 1 min read

Best electric cars arriving in 2022

Tom White

Senior Journalist

CarsGuide

30 Jun 2022 • 1 min read

2022 will see more choice and more affordable electric cars arrive in Australia, such as the Kia EV6.

During the course of 2021, it felt as though electric vehicles (EVs) reached something of a turning point.

Many automakers released their first next-generation offerings or expanded on their catalogue of pure EVs in their line-ups, and the cost of entry for some of the more promising examples has gradually come down.

More consumers than ever are considering a pure EV for their next car, and our busy landscape of automakers look to build on the momentum with an exciting list of cars across many categories in the next 12 months.

So, how will the all-electric car landscape change during the course of 2022, and what does each model promise?

We’re taking a closer look at what you have to look forward to, but keep in mind timing is subject to change due to the global semiconductor shortage and other niggling factors.

Audi e-tron GT - September

Sent to rattle the Tesla Model S, Audi’s latest EV offering is a low-slung GT four-door coupe, and a follow-up to the brand’s e-tron SUV.

The GT will be available in standard and RS versions able to make use of 350kW/630Nm and 440kW/830Nm of electric power respectively, with a range of up to 488km.

It also features flexible charging, with an 800-volt architecture. This allows it to charge at a rate of up to 270kW on a DC outlet, able to charge from five to 80 per cent as quickly as 22 minutes, 30 seconds.

It will also offer similar options to the Taycan range, with a long list of performance-enhancing additions like carbon-ceramic brakes.

Audi E-tron

4.1

Audi E-tron

From

$181,784

Based on Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP)

BMW i4 - April

BMW is on an electrification roll, with its latest generation of pure EVs rolling out rapidly across its range.

Following the iX3 and flagship iX SUVs, the i4 will be a brand closer to the brand’s ancestral heart in the visage of a four-door sedan.

The i4 wears familiar styling to the current 4 Series and will arrive in two variants, the eDrive40 and performance-tinged M50.

It can make use of 250kW/430Nm or 400kW/795Nm powertrain for each variant respectively and sports a massive 84kWh battery good for a range of up to 590km.

The i4 is able to charge at either 11kW on AC charging (taking 8.5 hours for a full charge) or 200kW on DC, allowing a 10-80 per cent charge in just 31 minutes.

It will start with an MSRP of $99,900 for the entry level eDrive40, or $124,900 for the top-spec M50, and is slated to launch in the first quarter of 2022.

BMW i4 2022 review

BMW i4

From

$85,900

Based on Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP)

BYD Atto 3 - Third quarter

BYD and its local Australian importer, Nexport, have huge plans for the Australian market, bullishly suggesting a Top Five spot by 2023.

How can this be achieved? Six new models are slated for launch by then, and prime among them is the Atto 3 electric SUV.

The Atto 3 is in a hot SUV segment, smaller than a traditional mid-size SUV like the RAV4, but larger than the Kia Seltos, perhaps on par in dimensions with Mitsubishi’s Eclipse Cross, or Nissan’s Qashqai.

The Atto 3 will be electric-only though, sporting a large 60kWh battery good for around 450km of range. Importantly, the brand claims to be able to significantly undercut rivals by offering the SUV from “around $40,000”.

BYD will forgo a standard dealer network and instead sell directly online to consumers.

BYD Atto 3

3.6

BYD Atto 3

From

$44,499

Based on Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP)

BYD EA1 - Third quarter

Could this be Australia’s most affordable electric car? The EA1 will follow the Atto 3 as part of BYD’s low-cost EV assault, slotting in to the mainstream hatchback segment.

It also promises keen pricing (although we’re not sure what this looks like yet) to take the fight to cars like MG’s ZS EV, and a 400km+ range to match its larger Atto 3 sibling.

Wearing more city-car styling than traditional sporty hatch styling, the EA1 utilises BYD’s cobalt-free Blade battery as well as a highly digitised interior and the connectivity to be able to use your phone as they key in its home market of China.

We don’t have details on when the EA1 will hit Australian streets, or even what its local name will be, only that its Australian importer, Nexport, plans to have it on sale in mid-2022.

Genesis GV60 - First half

Genesis, Hyundai’s luxury spin-off brand, will launch its next offering in the first half of 2022, and it will be the brand’s first fully electric model.

The first Genesis on the E-GMP underpinnings, the GV60 SUV is the luxury marque’s take on the Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6 formula, sporting coupe-like styling elements.

Its next-generation platform means hearty 800V electric underpinnings for fast charging, rear- and all-wheel-drive powertrain options, and healthy driving range.

Although only just revealed, the GV60 will be available in Australia remarkably quickly.

Genesis GV60

4.2

Genesis GV60

From

$103,384

Based on Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP)

Hyundai Ioniq 6 - 2022

The Ioniq 6 is Hyundai's second car on the e-GMP platform, and the design borrows heavily from the Prophecy EV Concept shown in 2020.

The mid-size sedan features sustainable and eco-friendly materials throughout the interior, such as repurposed PET fabric used for the seats and dashboard.

While powertrain details are still a mystery at this point, the Ioniq 6 could use the same 72.6kWh battery found in the Ioinq 5 SUV.

Hyundai is yet to confirm if or when the Ioniq 6 will land in Australian showrooms, but it is likely to arrive some time in 2023.

Hyundai Ioniq 6

From

$66,500

Based on Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP)

Kia EV6 - February

Kia’s first take on the Hyundai Group e-GMP underpinnings and the brand’s first dedicated fully electric car outside of Korea will be the EV6.

A sportier alternative to the Ioniq 5, the EV6 can claim over 400km of range from a large battery pack and will also be available with both rear- and all-wheel drive.

It also shares its odd shape as a low-slung but long-wheelbase SUV with the Ioniq 5, although has a different design ethos applied to its interior.

The EV6 also has its first performance variant locked in, the 430kW/740Nm all-wheel-drive GT, although this version won’t be available immediately in Australia for its first quarter of 2022 launch.

Kia EV6 2022 review

Kia EV6

4.1

Kia EV6

From

$72,590

Based on Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP)

Mercedes-Benz EQE - Second half

Mercedes-Benz has announced its intention to become an electric-only automaker sooner rather than later, and the EQE will be the first follow up to the flagship EQS in the brand’s efforts to electrify its more traditional sedan range.

Unlike BMW’s i4, the EQE is more of a radical overhaul of the sedan formula, forgoing the brand’s current styling language and proportions for something more futuristic.

The new design leans into its electric underpinnings by pushing the wheelbase out and expanding cabin space in the process, with the lack of combustion running gear allowing the brand to have short overhangs at either end.

Driving range is said to be plentiful with the launch 90kWh variant offering some 660km, and its architecture will support a 170kW max charging speed for a 10-80 per cent charge in just 32 minutes.

Refinements like air suspension from elsewhere in the Benz range will also be available, and the EQE will have the option of a dramatically digitised cabin consisting of a screen which nearly runs the length of the dash.

The EQE has yet to have its price locked in, but it is expected in Australia in the second half of 2022.

Mercedes-Benz EQE

3.9

Mercedes-Benz EQE

From

$133,600

Based on Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP)

Polestar 2 - March

Polestar's long-awaited arrival to the Australian market will finally happen in February 2022 with the launch of the Polestar 2.

Sporting a high-riding sedan body, the Polestar 2 promises both sporty dynamics and luxury appointments, and will be available across three flavours.

The base car will be good for around 440km of range, the mid-tier version about 540km, while the top spec cuts it down to 480km thanks to a dual-motor set-up that prioritises performance over efficiency.

Polestar 2 2022 review

Polestar 2

3.8

Polestar 2

From

$45,900

Based on 3 car listings in the last 6 months

Volvo C40 - Third quarter

Volvo’s first dedicated electric model will be the C40 small SUV, set to debut before the end of 2022. It shares much of its design with the XC40 SUV, although sports a lower profile and a more coupe-like rear.

The C40 can be equipped with dual-motor all-wheel drive and will have an estimated 420km range from a large 78kWh battery pack. It will also debut new connectivity features via a built-in sim card, and new Google-integrated software suite for its portrait multimedia screen.

Like its Polestar sister company, Volvo will be tracing precious metals used in the C40’s battery using blockchain technology. Like other automakers including Polestar, the C40 is intended to be sold exclusively in an online capacity.

Volvo’s local arm has confirmed the C40 will arrive in late 2022, although pricing and precise timing are still a mystery. Stay tuned.

Volvo C40

4.1

Volvo C40

From

$78,990

Based on Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP)

Audi e-tron S - Second quarter

Audi was quick off the mark with its original e-tron SUV, although it initially arrived in 50 and 55 quattro grades, leaving the sporty S to launch at a later date.

The brand has since confirmed the e-tron S will arrive in Australia around early 2022, and will punch hard with total outputs of 370kW/973Nm - a big upgrade on the 55's 300kW/664Nm.

Audi also confirmed pricing, with before on-road costs set at $165,600 for the SUV body-style, or $172,700 for the coupe-like Sportback.

Range comes in at a WLTP-rated 413km for the SUV, or 418km for the Sportback, falling between the 50 and 55 variants as it sacrifices a bit of extra distance for performance.

The e-tron S is capable of charging on DC using a Type 2 CCS plug at 150kW, allowing a charge time from 10 to 80 per cent in 30 minutes.

Audi e-tron S 2022 review

Audi E-tron

4.1

Audi E-tron

From

$181,784

Based on Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP)

Ora Good Cat - 2022

Ora is a new all-electric brand under the Great Wall Motors (GWM) umbrella, and after much speculation (and the success of the Haval SUV brand and new Cannon ute) GWM confirmed Ora will arrive in Australia in 2022.

It is expected the brand will launch with the affordable but oddly-named Good Cat hatchback thanks to trademark filings, which is expected to duke it out with the MG ZS EV and BYD Atto 3 for the title of cheapest EV in Australia. For reference in the UK the Good Cat starts from the equivalent of $47,000 with a 336km range.

GWM Ora

3.8

GWM Ora

From

$35,990

Based on Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP)

Cupra Born - 2022

The Cupra Born is the Spanish performance brand's all-electric hatchback, and it is particularly notable as it will be the first of a new wave of Volkswagen-group electric vehicles which have thus far been prevented from arriving in Australia thanks to overwhelming demand. The first of the Cupra hatches are already in Australia undergoing local testing, and are expected to arrive as part of the brand's onslaught for 2022.

It will go into battle against the Nissan Leaf, Hyundai Ioniq, Polestar 2, and Tesla Model 3, although local pricing and spec is yet to be announced.

Cupra Born

From

$59,990

Based on Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP)

Nissan Leaf - Late 2022

The Nissan Leaf is a relative veteran in the electric space in Australia, and for 2022 will offer a host of updates which fall short of a facelift. Tabled are new sets of wheels, a new choice of colours, slightly tweaked styling, and the brand's new logos all round.

It is unknown if the Leaf will recieve any price adjustments (although this seems likely) or whether the electric hatch will come with other enhancements, like a new acoustic driving sound it received as part of its most recent update in Europe.

Nissan LEAF

3.6

Nissan LEAF

From

$50,990

Based on Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP)

Ford e-Transit - Third quarter

Ford Australia has confirmed its first electric vehicle won't be the exciting Mustang Mach-E, but the decidedly pragmatic E-Transit commercial vehicle.

The E-Transit will be the first fully electric large van in Australia, though, a notable size increase on the city-sized Renault Kangoo EV or BYD e3 which arrived before it.

The van packs 317km of range thanks to a 68kWh battery pack, and puts out 190kW/430Nm, making it the most powerful Transit variant available.

It will also be the first Ford product in Australia to offer the brand's latest SYNC4 software on a large 12-inch touchscreen.

Ford Transit

4.2

Ford Transit

From

$59,990

Based on Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP)

Tesla Model Y – August

Is Australia's most anticipated new EV of the year also the best? We find out! (Image: Tom White)

It’s all-electric, it’s an SUV and it wears a Tesla badge, of course we’re talking about the hotly-anticipated Model Y.

After long delays, Tesla has finally opened the order books for its latest model, but we’ve got some bad news for you.

If you didn’t order one in the first week, prices have gone up and delivery timing has blown out, which means you probably won’t get your new wheels until well into 2023.

However, if you were quick, you can expect delivery from August this year, and you’ll be the envy of all your EV friends.