Best electric cars arriving in 2023

Fiat 500e – July

The Fiat 500 lives on.

If you thought the sun was setting on the Fiat 500, well have we got news for you because after 14 years on the market, the new-generation version will arrive Down Under in 2023.

The biggest changes to the new 500 is the fact that the new hatchback will be all electric, and while it is mooted to offer limited driving range from its small capacity battery, it should be enough for its inner-city stomping ground.

However, crucial to the 500e's success is how Fiat has priced its new model, which positions at the premium end of the market.

BMW iX1 – July

The iX1 is available with a dual-motor and all-wheel-drive powertrain.

Following the launch of the i4, iX, iX3 and i7, BMW's next all-electric model to arrive in Australian showrooms will be the iX1.

And unlike its battery-powered siblings, the iX1 has all the ingredients in place to be a homerun sales success as a premium, all-electric, small-sized SUV to take on the Mercedes-Benz EQA.

It's not cheap though, as the iX1 is available exclusively with a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive powertrain, while its 64.7kWh battery enables a driving range of around 438km.

Peugeot e-Partner – July

The Partner line-up is expected to expand in 2023.

It might seem like a strange mix on paper, a European light-commercial vehicle with an all-electric powertrain? But dig a bit deeper and the Peugeot e-Partner starts to make a bit more sense.

Sharing the same underpinnings as the Citroen Berlingo (which isn't offered in Australia anymore), the e-Partner uses a 100kW/260Nm electric motor, while the 50kWh battery offers up to 275km of driving range on a single charge.

While this may seem limited in an all-electric model, Peugeot's research shows that the majority of commercial vehicles travel less than 200km per day - at least in its home market of Europe - so fleet operators may find this light van useful in day-to-day duties.

Subaru Solterra – Mid 2023

The Solterra's local details are still to be confirmed.

Subaru's first mass-market electric car to hit Australia will come in the form of the Solterra, a mid-size SUV designed to take the fight right to sell-out Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6 and Tesla Model Y.

Exact local details are still to be confirmed, but we do know it shares the same underpinnings as the Toyota bZ4X, and could be differentiated with all-wheel-drive - a Subaru staple.

In Japan, the Solterra punches out 160kW of power in all-whee-drive form and sports a driving range of up to 530km, which should prove plenty useful for Aussie families looking to make the switch to an electric model.

Toyota bZ4X – Late 2023

The bZ4X is expected to launch around the same time as its Solterra twin.

Toyota might be a pioneer in the electrified vehicle space thanks to the Prius, but it is coming (fashionably) late to the all-electric SUV party.

Expected to launch around the same time as its Solterra twin, the bZ4X will push Toyota's tech credentials once again, but time will tell if customers currently waiting to get their hands on a Hyundai Ioniq 5, Tesla Model Y or Kia EV6 will jump onto the bandwagon.

Overseas, two versions are available with a single motor or dual motors, but Australian specifications, pricing and timing are still far from confirmed.

Cupra Born – May

Order books for the Born open in late 2022.

The Australian arrival of the Volkswagen ID.3 hatchback might still be a while away, but you'll be able to get your hands on the twin-under-the-skin Cupra Born from early 2023.

Order books in fact opened in late 2022, and Cupra is promising it will have ample supply of Volkswagen Group Australia's first all-electric model, with pricing between the VW Golf GTI and VW Golf R.

There are two batteries available in Europe that offers up nearly 550km of driving range from a single charge, and the Cupra Born has the performance to outpace most petrol-powered hot hatch rivals.

Ford E-Transit – May

Ford originally had plans to bring the E-Transit to showrooms in 2022.

Ford was due to be one of the first on the scene with an all-electric van, but with the delay of the E-Transit in 2023, it means Mercedes-Benz has beaten them to the punch with the eVito.

However, don't discount the E-Transit due to its tardiness because its 68kWh battery will be enough to propel the large van 317km on a single charge. And remember that many commercial vehicle operators are only travelling around 200km in a day.

And with an electric motor delivering a strong 190kW/430Nm punch, expect the Ford E-Transit to feel spritely off the line even with a cargo area filled to the bring with Amazon, Asos and Adidas online purchases.

Hyundai Ioniq 6 – March

The Ioniq 6 is Hyundai's answer to the Tesla Model 3.

Hyundai's Ioniq 5 might be a commercial and critical success, but what if you just don't want or need the practicality of an SUV?

Enter the Ioniq 6, which borrows much of the Ioniq 5 formula but wraps it up in a stylish, attention-grabbing and - dare we say it - out-there swoopy sedan body style.

Due to touch down in early 2023, the Ioniq 6 features a driving range of up to 610km thanks to its slippery design, while acceleration from zero to 100km/h takes as little as 5.1 seconds. Sign us up!

Kia EV9 – Late 2023

If you thought electric cars were exclusively for the fuel-frugal, inner-city environment lover, Kia's got some big news for you because its massive EV9 should arrive in the second half of 2023 to defy expectations.

Why? Because the EV9 is a large SUV designed to stick it to the best off-roaders like the Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series and the Nissan Patrol.

Don't get your hopes up just yet though, as final specifications, a production design and pricing are all yet to be confirmed, though Kia Australia has indicated it wants to sell the EV9 from about $100,000.

MG4 – July

The MG4 is aimed squarely at the long-running Nissan Leaf.

Not content to have the most affordable electric car in Australia at the time of writing with the ZS EV, MG has lowered the point of entry to an EV model even further with the MG4.

As a small-sized hatchback, the MG4 is aimed squarely at the long-running Nissan Leaf, BYD Atto 3 and Cupra Born, and also debuts the brand's new platform that promises extended driving range from a 64kWh battery.

Pair that will a cabin decked out in screens and a starting price below $40,000 nd MG might have another recipe for success in Australia.

Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV – H2

Mercedes-Benz will only sell EVs in markets where conditions allow.

The Mercedes-Benz electric car strategy is pretty clear at this point: Bring in electric versions of its most popular internal combustion models and place them under its EQ banner.

We've seen the EQC SUV and the EQE sedan, so naturally, one of its next EQ launches will be the EQE SUV.

Due to touch down in the second half of the year, the EQE SUV should prove plenty popular for those that think the EQC is a touch on the small side, while the EQS SUV is just too big.

Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV – H2

The EQS SUV looks similar to the EQS sedan. (450+ variant pictured)

Why should the Tesla Model X have all the fun? That's got to be Mercedes' thinking when developing the EQS SUV as the ultimate expression of its all-electric SUV line-up.

Heck, there's even a Maybach version that will take opulence and luxury to a whole new level thanks to a silent powertrain and (presumably) big dollar pricetag.

Underneath the EQS SUV, buyers will find electric motors in various states of tune, but the most potent will deliver 400kW/858Nm, while the interior features a 56.0-inch MBUX screen that spans the instrumentation, multimedia system and passenger display. What a flex.

GWM Ora - February

The timing for the OraCat is yet to be confirmed.

MG and BYD have made a splash in the Australian automotive landscape thanks to their more affordable all-electric offerings, and GWM's Ora is set to follow in its compatriot's footsteps with the Good Cat, which will confusingly be simply known as the GWM Ora here.

OK, we don't love the name either, but a good-looking small hatchback that promises 311km of driving range from a 48kWh that could make a play for Australia's most affordable EV title? We can definitely overlook the name.

Lexus UX300e - Mid-2023

Lexus has tried to make a point with the UX 300e (pictured: UX 300e Sport Luxury).

Lexus' first all-electric model, the UX300e small SUV, first landed on the scene in late 2021, almost two years after the arrival of the petrol-powered UX.

However, with an update to the UX landing locally in 2022, don't expect such a long wait until the refreshed UX300e comes to showrooms.

Due to arrive in mid-2023, the updated UX300ee sports a larger battery to boost driving range up to 450km, while changes also come to the equipment list and pricetag.

Details are obviously thin on the ground now, but expect to see the updated UX300e to sport the same changes as its siblings - namely a boost to its equipment list, a larger multimedia system with voice controls and a tweak to steering settings.

Lexus RZ - May

Under the skin, the Lexus RZ is a Toyota bZ4X.

It costs millions of dollars to design, develop and produce a new electric car, so it makes sense for Toyota's bZ4X to also score the Lexus treatment to try and amortise costs.

Lexus' take is called RZ and it features the trademark spindle grille and premium appoints befitting a luxury brand designed to take on German cars like the Mercedes-Benz EQC and Audi e-tron.

And if that wasn't enough of a differentiator, underneath is a dual motor set-up for a combined total output of 230kW/435Nm, which outmuscles its bZ4X and Subaru Solterra relatives.

Abarth 500e - Late 2023

The Abarth 500e should give the Mini Cooper SE Electric a run for its money.

Whoever said electric cars can't be fun have obviously never driven the Abarth 500e.

OK, to be fair, we haven't driven it either, but if the all-electric successor to the rorty, raucous and rambunctious Abarth 595 is even half as good, it shouldn't fail to elicit a smile.

Due to touch down in Australia late in the year, the Abarth 500e should give the Mini Cooper SE Electric a run for its money as the best driver's EV under $100,000.

MG ZS EV Long Range - Second half

At $55,990 before on-road costs, the Long Range version of MG's popular ZS EV will land in the second half of 2023, offering up to 440km of range thanks to a 72kWh battery pack.

It uses the same 130kW/280Nm electric motor as the standard version, and still has the same 80kW charging rate, taking between 40-63 minutes depending on the speed of the connected DC charger.

Peugeot e-2008 - Third quarter

The e-2008 is also under consideration for Australia.

Peugeot's small SUV goes electric, as does a lot of the brand's range, with the e-2008 set for a launch in Q3 2023.

It's powered by a 100kW electric motor and has 260Nm of torque, drawing from a 50kWh battery that's able to be charged at a rate of 100kW. With that, it should be able to charge to about 80 per cent in half an hour with full power.

Renault Megane E-Tech - Fourth quarter

Launched in Europe in 2021, the Renault Megane E-Tech is finally coming to Australia late this year, with a 160kW/300Nm front-wheel-drive single variant.

A 60kWh battery delivers a claimed 450km (WLTP) range and can be charged at up to 130kW, which Renault claims will go from 10-80 per cent charge in 30 minutes.

Polestar 2 - Third quarter

The upgraded Polestar 2 is coming to better take the fight to the Tesla Model 3, with more range, power and features.

Its rear-drive version now has outputs of 220kW and 490Nm, up by 50kW and 160Nm, plus a lower 0-100km/h acceleration time of 6.2 seconds.

The dual-motor version now boasts 310kW (+10kW) and 740Nm (+80Nm), while 0-100km/h is over in just 4.5 seconds.

Volvo XC40 and C40 Recharge - Late 2023

The upgraded C40 and XC40 have been confirmed for local on-sale in late 2023.

Like the Polestar 2, the electric XC40 and C40 are due to arrive this year with upgrades like an improved range up from 425km to 460km for the XC40, and from 438km to 476km in the C40.

Power is up slightly to 175kW for the XC40 Recharge, and 185kW for the C40.

However, the big change is the swap from front- to rear-wheel drive for the single-motor variants. AWD versions now have ranges up to 507km.

Jaguar I-Pace - January

A very light update for the 2023 Jaguar I-Pace means new styling, with a smoother front grille and body-coloured bumper, door skirts and rear diffuser.

The Black Pack is now standard on the I-Pace too, though its 90kWh lithium Ion battery offers up to 446km of range.

Ford Mustang Mach-E - Late 2023

Ford Australia has finally confirmed the Mustang's electric namesake for our shores, due to arrive late this year, but it won't come cheap.

Starting from $79,990 before on-road costs for the entry point and extending to $108,990 for the top-spec, battery sizes range from 72kWh to 92kWh and driving ranges up to 490km.

The top-spec GT should hit its claimed 100km/h in 3.7 seconds.

BYD Dolphin - H2

Officially the most affordable all-electric car on sale in Australia at the time of writing, the BYD Dolphin kicks off from just $38,890 before on-road costs.

This slots it in just $100 below the MG4 and more than $10,000 cheaper than the Nissan Leaf, Tesla Model 3 and others.

With a 44.9kWh battery though, the base BYD Dolphin can still achieve a 340km driving range, and has equipment levels comporable to petrol-engined cars in the same price bracket and size category.

Volvo EX30 - Late 2023

Pricing has always been an issue with electric vehicles, as new technologies will invariably cost most money.

However, Volvo wants to re-write the rule book with its EX30, which launches later this year with a pricetag starting from just $59,990 before on-road costs.

Yep, that's an all-electric, premium small SUV for less money than some petrol-powered competitors, and the EX30 still boasts an enviable 480km of driving range thanks to a massive 69kWh battery.

BMW i5 - H2

At this point, the BMW 5 Series is more electric car than petrol car, as the new-generation will launch with two i5 variants compared with just one petrol-engine option.

The i5 will kick off from $155,900 before on-road costs though, so it won't come cheap, but you get a massive 84kWh battery and up to 582km of driving range.

And for those that want a bit more potency, there's also the top-spec i5 M60 that ups the ante to 442kW/820Nm thanks to dual-electric motors.