The number of electric vehicle arrivals continues to grow in Australia, though most will be at the pricey end of the new-car market – costing in excess of $60,000.

Here is our pick of what is coming and when.

Kia EV5

This is the electric car we are most excited about this year.

An electric SUV that is similar in size to the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid.

Pricing and technical details are yet to be revealed, however EFTM has previously reported what we know so far:

  • First shipments of the Kia EV5 Air and Kia EV5 Earth are due in Australia in June 2024 while the top-end GT-Line is due locally by the end of this year.
  • As with the Kia EV9, the Kia EV5 will be available with a choice of standard-range single motor (Air), long-range single motor (Earth) and long-range dual motor with added performance (GT-Line).
  • A welcome move, the Kia EV5 GT-Line will not come with digital side mirrors that have been a controversial feature of the Kia EV9 GT-Line.
  • Kia Australia is yet to announce pricing for the Kia EV5 but the vehicle is expected to land somewhere between $60,000 and $70,000 before on-road costs are added.
  • Kia dealers have not formally started taking orders for the Kia EV5 as the price is not yet known, however some dealers have told EFTM a number of customers have placed refundable deposits pending price and specifications.

Volkswagen ID Buzz

Cool is coming to electric cars later this year with the arrival of the Volkswagen ID Buzz – also known as the electric version of the modern VW Kombi.

Due in local showrooms in late 2024, it will initially be available in a five-seat, short-wheelbase body-style, however that variant is expected to eventually be followed by a seven-seat, long-wheelbase body-style.

There will also be a super-cool delivery van version called ID Buzz Cargo.

Price is expected to be close to or in excess of $100,000.

But trust us, there will still be a queue around the block for these. 

Ford Puma Gen-E 

Petrol-powered versions of the Ford Puma small SUV are about to disappear from Australian showrooms after weaker than expected sales.

And despite critical acclaim from the motoring media who praised it widely in road tests for its sharp yet comfortable handling, spritely performance, and excellent fuel economy from the turbo three-cylinder engine.

However, once current customer orders are filled and existing showroom stock is exhausted there will be a brief blackout on the Ford Puma locally until the electric version arrives later this year.

Little is known about the technical specifications of the Ford Puma Gen-E however European media have speculated it could have a 55kWh battery pack and a maximum driving range of 370km.

Price is unknown but it’s hoped it will be priced from less than $50,000 if it is to mount a challenge to cheaper Chinese rivals.

Volvo EX30

Volvo is due to add the made-in-China EX30 city SUV to its Australian line-up in the second half of this year.

Think of it as a smaller electric version of the Volvo XC40.

Pricing and basic specifications have already been announced by Volvo Australia.

There will initially be three models (all prices exclude on-road costs):

  • Volvo EX30 Single Motor Extended Plus – $59,990
  • Volvo EX30 Single Motor Extended Ultra – $64,990
  • Volvo EX30 Dual Motor Performance Ultra – $69,990

MG Cyberster 

Electric power will finally come to the sports-car class courtesy of Chinese manufacturer MG.

The Cyberster is the first sports-car from MG in more than two decades – the last one was when the MG badge changed hands from British to Chinese ownership.

Overseas, there are three models are available with a range of power outputs and battery capacity. 

All models promise brisk performance ranging from a 0 to 100kmh time of 5 seconds for the base model to sub 4 seconds for the top-of-the-range model.

Using overseas pricing as a guide, the MG Cyberster line-up could cost between $60,000 and $100,000 when it goes on sale locally by the end of this year.

Final Australian specifications and prices are yet to be announced but a number of examples have already been caught on camera on local roads ahead of the Australian launch.

Ford Transit Custom EV

By the end of this year Ford will expand its electric delivery van line-up with the arrival of the Ford E-Transit Custom – to sell alongside the much larger Ford E-Transit which launched locally last year.

Similar in size to the Toyota Hiace and Hyundai Staria Load, the electric Ford E-Transit Custom is due to arrive about the same time as the all-new Transit Custom line-up (which will continue with diesel power).

Ford Australia claims the E-Transit Custom will have a maximum driving range of 370km unladen in ideal conditions.

Other technical details released so far: the Ford E-Transit Custom will have a 74kWh battery pack which will power a 160kW/415Nm electric motor that drives the rear wheels.

Price is yet to be announced, but if the $105,000 price tag of the larger Ford E-Transit is a guide (it is more than 50 per cent dearer than the diesel equivalent) then the Ford E-Transit Custom won’t be cheap.

Hyundai Ioniq 7

The Hyundai Ioniq 7 is Hyundai’s version of the excellent Kia EV9 (a car so impressive EFTM editor Trevor Long bought one).

The Hyundai Ioniq 7 (as the name implies, a seven-seater) is due to be unveiled mid-year and should be in Australian showrooms by the end of this year, pending any delays.

It’s only speculation at this stage, but expect similar driving range and performance compared to the Kia EV9 and a choice of rear-drive or all-wheel-drive models.

The team over at The Korean Car Blog has the latest details here.

Volkswagen ID.4 and ID.5

While the cool Volkswagen ID Buzz and ID Buzz Cargo will get most of the attention in Volkswagen showrooms towards the end of this year, the other electric cars to watch out for from the German brand are the ID.4 SUV and ID.5 SUV Coupe twins.

Exact Australian specifications are yet to be revealed but think of this pair as Volkswagen’s rival to the Tesla Model Y.

Here’s what Volkswagen Australia has shared so far:

  • Volkswagen ID.4 SUV rear-drive single motor (210kW)
  • Volkswagen ID.5 SUV coupe rear-drive single motor (210kW)   
  • Volkswagen ID.4 GTX SUV all-wheel-drive dual motor (250kW)
  • Volkswagen ID.5 GTX SUV coupe all-wheel-drive dual motor (250kW)

Prices are expected to range from $80,000 to $100,000 though they won’t be confirmed until closer to local showroom arrivals.

Hyundai Casper

This one has largely slipped under the radar because Hyundai Australia has kept it low key.

However, an electric version of the Hyundai Casper city car is on the cards for Australian showrooms.

And a number of examples have been caught on camera while testing on local roads.

Driving range, battery capacity and electric motor performance are all under wraps for now.

And we don’t yet know what the showroom version will look like. 

These images of the petrol-powered version currently sold in India provide at least a clue to the design and size.

Jeep Avenger

Finally, to round out our Top 10, here’s another electric car that has stayed under the radar.

The Jeep Avenger is an electric city-size SUV with modest (if any) off-road pretensions despite the Jeep badge and the Jeep heritage.

Think of this as a Jeep hatchback for the urban jungle.

It went on sale in Europe last year and is made in Poland.

Price and final specifications for Australia are yet to be revealed, though the company has confirmed it has a 54kWh battery pack which powers a 115kW/260Nm electric motor (a modest output versus rivals).

Jeep says the Avenger has a maximum driving range of 400km, though this estimate could change once it is assessed to Australian energy consumption standards. 

Honorable mentions: Other electric cars to look out for in 2024

  • Audi Q4 e-Tron 
  • Cadillac Lyric
  • Mercedes-Benz G Class electric 
  • Mini electric 
  • Polestar 3 and Polestar 4
  • Porsche Macan
  • Tesla Model 3 Performance (facelift)