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Published Nov 2024
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1 November, 2024 By: Toby Hagon
While the electric car options in Australia are growing, we’re still a long way from having a good range of vehicles across all categories – especially SUVs.
We started 2024 with about 60 electric vehicle (EV) models available in Australia and that number should grow to more than 100 as we welcome in 2025, but there are still dozens that aren’t on the way anytime soon.
In some instances, it’s because the brand isn’t yet available in Australia. In other cases, the manufacturer may have decided against that particular model as demand for electric vehicles matures.
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Other models simply aren’t yet available for countries such as Australia (right-hand drive manufacturing sometimes creates headaches, especially if there is not enough volume to justify the investment).
Here are some of the EVs we’d love to see here but which are currently stuck in the waiting room.
Volkswagen ID.7
Volkswagen’s electric range has taken a glacial path to Australia, with the ID.4 and ID.5 kicking things off at the end of 2024.
Volkswagen has a raft of EV options, including the Kombi-inspired ID.Buzz, also due soon, but one that won’t be landing here anytime soon is the ID.7.
The large sedan and wagon is a terrific looking five-seater that would make a great replacement for the Passat and Arteon, although with anticipated $80,000-plus price tags, it would also fly above the sweet spot of the EV market.
And given declining sales of those models (the Arteon has been discontinued) it’s no surprise the ID.7 isn’t high on VW Australia’s shopping list.
Tesla Cybertruck
Few production cars in history have been as radical to look at as the Cybertruck, Tesla’s take on a large American pick-up truck (or ute, as we know them in Australia). With a stainless steel body (most cars use plain old steel), almost bulletproof windows and a wedge-like shape that looks like it’s been teleported from a sci-fi blockbuster, the sizeable five-door is a conversation starter.
But it’s not likely to be cruising to Scarborough anytime soon, even if there is a single example in Australia doing a promotional tour.
Tesla has had its fair share of challenges with the Cybertruck, including fulfilling orders. And it also hasn’t confirmed whether the Cybertruck will be manufactured in right-hand drive.
Even if it is, it’s likely to be later in the decade that we see the Cybertruck, and the price tag is likely to be north of $100,000.
Scout
It’s a revival no one saw coming, and now that Scout is making an American comeback, there were obvious questions about whether Australia could get in on the action.
After all, we love SUVs and utes, especially ones that don’t mind getting down and dirty. But the Volkswagen-owned brand with rugged retro styling is laser focused on making it in the home of large cars and trucks, starting with the Terra pick-up and Traveller SUV.
While the early Scout revival plans revolved around an EV-only line-up – with prices likely to start at around $90,000 in our money - the brand is now working on range extender hybrids as well, allowing an onboard engine to act as a generator.
There are no plans for right-hand drive just now, ruling them out for a local launch in the medium term.
Mazda EZ-6
Mazda has been among the more conservative brands when it comes to bringing EVs to market, but that may change soon – at least in overseas markets.
Mazda has engaged China-based Changan Automobile to manufacture the upcoming EZ-6, which is an all-electric replacement for the ageing Mazda6.
If it’s priced below the Tesla Model 3 – as it is in China – it could make an interesting alternative to petrol propulsion.
Mazda looks after the styling while Changan takes care of putting it all together and providing the all-important electric architecture, which is shared with other models.
Changan is one of the giants of the bulging Chinese automotive industry, and is also responsible for the Deepal brand that is arriving here soon.
But a right-hand drive version of the EZ-6 is not yet available, currently limiting the options for Mazda Australia.
Honda Prologue
Honda was a pioneer in hybrids but is not following the same path with EVs. Overseas the company has offered the quirky Honda e hatch and has more recently inked a deal with General Motors to fast track its road to electric cars in America, starting with the Prologue.
Utilising the underpinnings of the Cadillac Lyriq that’s just gone on sale in Australia, the Prologue is exactly the sort of car Aussies love.
Pricing in the US suggests it will compete with rivals priced around $70,000 here. But Honda in Australia says its near-term focus is on hybrids, leaving the Prologue offshore for now.
Nio
There’s a lot of interest around Chinese brand Nio because it’s one of the few EV manufacturers persisting with battery swap technology.
Instead of having to wait for a charge, the circa-three-minute change over to a fully charged battery gives some obvious advantages.
It also potentially allows for battery leasing rather than purchasing it with the car, something that helps in keeping prices below rival Teslas.
But there are challenges, too, the most notable of which is the infrastructure required to extract half a tonne of battery pack from one car and exchange it with another.
In a country the size of Australia that makes for some sizeable challenges in terms of rolling out battery swap infrastructure.
While Nio has started registering model names in Australia with the view to launching here at some stage, it appears we could still be waiting a while.
Toyota bZ3
There are more Toyota EVs heading our way, but we currently only get one of the bZ models, the bZ4X.
The smaller bZ3 and higher riding bZ3X are two of the more affordable models, each manufactured in China through a joint venture. No word on what they’d cost here, but to be competitive they’d have to hover around $50,000 or below.
The bZ3 is a small sedan and in that respect unlikely to appeal to many Aussies, while the bZ3X is a wagon/crossover.
But their focus is currently on the Chinese market, with no immediate plans to bring them here.
Kia EV2
The smallest of Kia’s growing EV family is not slated for sale in Australia. Blame it on where it’s built: Slovakia.
Well, it’s at least part of the problem.
Australia also doesn’t have a free trade agreement with Europe, so the EV3 would be slugged with a 5 per cent import duty that most rivals don’t have to pay.
So whereas it’d need to be priced around $45,000 to be competitive, it’d likely cost more, ruling it out for Australia.
Chevrolet Silverado EV
The all-electric version of the Silverado large pick-up truck is slowly filtering on to American roads, but it seems no closer to Australia.
Despite a positive reception in its homeland, there are currently no plans to manufacture the car in right-hand drive.
And because the EV version shares nothing beneath the skin with its V8-powered namesake, it’s not as easy as undergoing a local conversion, as already happens with those internal combustion engine models.
GMSV hasn’t ruled out the Silverado EV, but there are currently no plans. It doesn't help that it would likely command a healthy price premium over and above that of the current Silverado, which sells from $130,500 plus on-road costs.
GMC Hummer
The brand that built its reputation on the battlefield is back for another bout with an all-electric line-up that includes an SUV and a pick-up truck.
The emphasis has switched from helicopter hooks and a bulletproof exterior to technology and off-road ability - all while maintaining the trademark Hummer look.
Sold under the GMC brand in America, the Hummer EV is ludicrously heavy, faster and more powerful than any off roader deserves to be (it makes up to double the power of some supercars and can top 100km/h in about three seconds).
Four-wheel steering allows for tight turns and even crab walking while the cabin is brimming with tech and trinkets.
Oh, and it’s not cheap, suggesting a price upwards of $200,000 locally if it were to make it here.
Cadillac Escalade iQ
Fresh from relaunching in Australia, Cadillac is keen to expand on the sole model currently available, the Lyriq mid-sized SUV.
With the promise of an all-electric model range, the Escalade iQ seems like a logical contender. But there’s that rather large elephant in the room: the steering wheel is on the wrong side.
Sure, GMSV - which also looks after Chevrolet in Australia - could convert it locally. However, that’s a complex and expensive business that requires scale to make it work. And there’s only a limited market for circa-$300,000 SUVs.
And the costs will add up once luxury car tax is added (Silverados don’t get slugged with Luxury Car Tax because they’re classified as commercial vehicles).
Chevrolet Blazer
Along with the smaller Equinox, the Blazer was designed under the guidance of an Aussie – former Holden design chief Mike Simcoe – but it’s another electric car currently not slated for a local launch.
Overseas reports suggest the Mexican production line won’t be churning them out with the steering wheel on the right.
And with the local GMSV outlet focusing on higher margin vehicles – including the Corvette, Silverado and various Cadillac models – it seems the Blazer will remain stateside for a while yet. That’s a shame, because it’s priced against the Tesla Model Y, which costs a bit over $60,000 here.
Ford Explorer
Ford is one of the few brands on the market without a mid-sized SUV and that doesn’t look like changing any time soon.
While the European Explorer seemed like an obvious choice, it’s not slated for an Aussie launch. The European Explorer, which competes with EVs selling at about $60,000 here, is a very different car to the Explorer sold in America.
While it looks like a Ford, under the skin it utilises Volkswagen underpinnings (it was all about filling a hole quickly in the European market).
If it was priced right, it looks like the sort of vehicle that could work here, but Ford currently has other priorities.
Renault 5
The radical 21st century interpretation of one of Renault’s most loved models still isn’t confirmed for Australia. That said, the Renault 5 is expected to eventually make its way here. As Australia is a relatively small market for the brand – with the challenges of right-hand drive thrown in – we’re often not top priority.
But the local importer is in the throes of making it happen; with any luck we’ll also get the almost-as-interesting Renault 4.
The compact R5, which could sell for less than $45,000 runs a relatively compact battery powering a single motor that drives the front wheels.
It’s all about keeping the cost down and making the five-door a style-focused alternative to the growing list of affordable EVs.
BYD Bao 5
Part of the Fang Cheng Bao sub-brand, the Bao 5 is a proper off-roader riding on a ladder frame chassis. So it naturally compromises on-road poise for rock hopping and trail riding.
With only five seats it can’t match off-road favourites that also double as family cars. And with the challenges of fast charging vehicles in remote areas, it doesn’t appear to be a high priority right now.
So while BYD is looking to significantly expand its Australian line-up, the Bao 5 doesn’t appear to be on the short-term menu.
Dodge Charger
Dodge has some challenges converting V8 lovers into EV converts, but the latest Charger is the first giant leap for the quintessentially American brand, right down to its simulated V8 engine sound. Available as a plug-in hybrid utilising an inline six-cylinder engine, it’s the Scat Pack EV that is the headline grabber, making 500kW and surging to 60mph (96km/h) in 3.3 seconds.
No word yet on whether the muscular-looking Charger will be built in right-hand drive, something that would obviously be required for a local launch. If it did, it’d likely creep into six figures. And Dodge is rightly focusing on its home market in the early phases of what is a crucial new model.
Ford Puma EV
Ford recently stopped selling petrol-powered versions of the Puma in Australia and now the previously promised EV version is on shaky ground.
Originally due by the end of 2024, there are still no confirmed plans, with reports that Ford Australia has decided against the city SUV that would have needed a keen price tag – think circa-$45,000 - to compete in a market where competition is heating up.
