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Want to know which electric cars are the best? These are some of the best electric cars in Australia.
Make & Model | Range | Acceleration (0-100km/h) | Charge time | Finder rating | Average running costs | Price |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hyundai IONIQ EV | 311km | 9.7 seconds | 54 minutes (100kw to 80%), 57 minutes (50kW) | 82.25% | $3,874.2 | $53,361 |
Hyundai KONA EV | 484km | 7.9 seconds | 54 minutes (100kW to 80%), 75 minutes (50kW) | 82% | $3,275.64 | $65,885.88 |
Nissan Leaf 2 | 270km | 7.9 seconds | 60 minutes (20-80% 50kW) | 81% | $3,845.40 | $53,190 |
Porsche Taycan | 420km | 3.2 seconds | 22.5 minutes (5-80% with 270kW charger, 93 minutes with 50Kw) | 86.33% | N/A | $292,632 |
MG ZS EV | 263km | 8.2 seconds | 45 minutes (100kw, to 80%) | 82% | N/A | $43,990 |
Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus | 448km | 5.6 seconds | 40-60 minutes (50kW charger to 80%), 20 minutes (105kW to 80%) | 83.50% | N/A | $66,900 |
Average running costs from RACV
Hyundai's IONIQ is a highly rated electric car that delivers decent range and performance for the money. It's a car with heaps of safety tech and equipment. As standard, on the base model, you get the following:
Effective price per KM of range: $171.58
Annual running costs (Rego, insurance, membership, fuel, servicing and tyres – 15,000km annually): $3,874.20
The Hyundai KONA is one of the best electric cars for several reasons. It's well-priced, practical, has a realistic real-world range and is quite stylish too. In its favour, it's also packaged into an SUV body, which is very popular with Australian car buyers right now. The only downside? A new-look model, with an improved range, is expected any time from March.
The Hyundai Kona Electric Elite has the following specification:
Effective price per KM of range: $136.13
Annual running costs (Rego, insurance, membership, fuel, servicing and tyres – 15,000km annually): $3,874.20
In terms of electric cars, the Leaf is one of the more long-lived nameplates out there. It's been in production since 2010, a long time in the EV world. Nissan's goal was to make an electric car with mass-market appeal. The result is the Leaf hatch, now in its second-generation.
The Leaf is a decent performer for Nissan, going by sales figures. It's one of the least expensive electric models, plus it has a very high level of equipment. It's also a sensible electric car to buy, with a 270km driving range and a standard specification that includes the following highlights:
Effective price per KM of range: $197
Annual running costs (Rego, insurance, membership, fuel, servicing and tyres – 15,000km annually): $3,845.40
If you want a performance electric luxury sports car, the Taycan Turbo 4S is the car for you. Yes, some Teslas are faster from 0-100km/h, but the Taycan is a product of Porsche's experience building fast and agile traditional sports cars.
The Taycan received high praise from car reviewers.
The Taycan has two body styles in the line-up, a sporty sedan or the Cross Turismo wagon. The 4S is the lowest priced model of the range, with a 0-100km/h of 4.0 seconds. The Turbo S, the most pricey Taycan, zips to 100km/h in just 2.8 seconds. That model will do 260km/h flat out!
The standard Taycan, the 4S, has the following equipment and features:
Effective price per KM of range: $696.74
Annual running costs (Rego, insurance, membership, fuel, servicing and tyres – 15,000km annually): N/A
The MG ZS EV is the cheapest electric vehicle on sale in Australia. It's hard to believe the ZS is some $9,200 cheaper than the Nissan Leaf! One reviewer said the price was eye-opening.
Despite its low price, it's punching above its weight in terms of equipment.
The MG ZS, Australia's cheapest EV, has the following specs as standard:
Effective price per KM of range: $167.26
Annual running costs (Rego, insurance, membership, fuel, servicing and tyres – 15,000km annually): N/A
No list of electric cars would be complete without including at least one Tesla. The Model 3 is Tesla's least costly car on sale as of 2021. Tesla has a fanatical following, which seems deserved judging by the comments of car reviewers. The 3 also has an excellent electric range and is reasonably well-priced.
As standard, the Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus comes with the following:
Effective price per KM of range: $149.33
Annual running costs (Rego, insurance, membership, fuel, servicing and tyres – 15,000km annually): N/A
With dozens of different models on sale, how do you choose the best electric car to suit your needs?
Speaking very generally, reliability is less of a concern with electric cars. Their design means there are significantly fewer things to maintain and fewer moving parts – though that doesn't factor in each manufacturer's quality control.
But when looking for an EV, you should concentrate on the following:
Range is the distance you can travel before the car needs recharging (oftentimes, the quoted figure is until it is completely flat, which is not healthy for the battery in the long term). A larger battery obviously helps, though if the car is more powerful, it might sap the capacity quickly – so don't use that as the only deciding factor. It's a bit like having a V8 with a massive tank versus a diesel with a smaller one – the V8 is going to burn more fuel in comparison. Remember, the average Aussie commute (prior to COVID-19) was just a 32km round trip. Most of the EVs here are theoretically able to cover that distance at least seven times (on paper).
In terms of charging, generally, you'll want a car that is capable of ultra-fast charging for long trips. Lower charge times are more practical, though you can install overnight charging points at home. This way, you wake up to a topped-up battery, just like your smartphone. A quicker charging time translates to less time spent browsing through petrol station shops while waiting for your car to recharge and more time on the road.
Running costs still factor into things as different car makers have their own servicing pricing schemes. Plus, the lower the range, in theory, the more you're going to need to charge the car – increasing charging costs. Also, the energy efficiency of the model impacts operating costs.
Reputation is another important one. Spend time reading reviews from verified owners of the cars and see what they think about the electric car you're considering buying.
Everything else is a bonus and identical to buying a conventional vehicle. It helps if you make a list of things you need from a car, such as the following:
Then make a shortlist based on your criteria.
Want to learn more about electric cars? Check out our electric car reviews or our switching to an electric car guide. If you already know which model you are after, it might be worth comparing green car loans as well as electric car insurance to see how much you could save.
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