EVs at your fingertips – for a price
Considering a move to an electric power car? Here’s Damien O’Carroll’s list of every new EV currently on sale.
Electric vehicles dominate the conversation in the motoring world, but there is still relatively few of them available and they still only make up a tiny percentage of new car sales.
However, the range is widening. Several new players are getting into the EV game locally, including Chinese-owned British brand MG with what is currently the lowest priced new EV on sale in New Zealand – the ZS small SUV.
That is a special pre-order price however and the car hasn’t actually launched here yet – the price will go up when it does, but it should still hold on to the ‘‘cheapest’’ title.
The Renault Zoe is at the other end of its production run and is currently in run-out to make room for an updated model, so is one of the cheapest new EVs in the country, but you will have to be quick if you want one as it only has a few left.
We have included a range here, as it is useful to compare along with price and, wherever possible, have gone with the ‘‘real world’’ range that has either been demonstrated by the local distributor, or what we have done ourselves.
Failing that, we have included figures achieved in the new Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP).
Tesla previously only listed NEDC (New European Driving Cycle) ranges, but switched to WLTP last year, so its ranges have dropped slightly under the new system.
MG ZS EV – $50,100 (pre-order price), WLTP range 262km
Renault Zoe Z.E. – $59,990 (run out price), range up to 300km real world
Nissan Leaf – $59,990, WLTP range up to 270km
Hyundai Ioniq EV – $65,990, WLTP range 311km
Volkswagen e-Golf – $69,490, range 220km real world
Kia Niro EV EX289 – $69,990, WLTP range 289km
Hyundai Ioniq EV Elite – $71,990, WLTP range 311km
BMW i3 – $72,200, range up to 260km real world
Kia Niro EV EX455 – $75,990, WLTP range 455km
Hyundai Kona Electric – $77,990, range 449km real world
Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus – $79,990, WLTP range 409km
Hyundai Kona Electric Elite – $84,990, range 449km real world
BMW i3s – $85,900, range up to 260km real world
Tesla Model 3 Long Range – $97,900, WLTP range 560km
Tesla Model 3 Performance – $106,900, WLTP range 530km
Audi e-tron 50 – $134,900, WLTP range 328km
Mercedes-Benz EQC 400 – $142,900, WLTP range 417km
Jaguar I-Pace S – $144,900, WLTP range 470km
Audi e-tron 55 – $148,500, WLTP range 417km
Mercedes-Benz EQC 400 Electric Art Line – $148,800, WLTP range 417km
Tesla Model S Long Range – $154,900, WLTP range 610km
Jaguar I-Pace SE – $154,900, WLTP range 470km
Audi e-tron 55 Advanced – $157,000, WLTP range 417km
Jaguar I-Pace HSE – $164,900, WLTP range 470km
Tesla Model X Long Range – $164,900, WLTP range 507km
Tesla Model S Performance – $184,900, WLTP range 593km
Tesla Model X Performance – $194,900, WLTP range 487km
The Porsche Taycan should have been on this list, but its local launch was disrupted by the coronavirus outbreak. Prices were due to have been announced last month, but expect it to effortlessly displace the Tesla Model X Performance as the most expensive entry on this list.
Likewise, the Mini Cooper S E electric is due here in the middle of this year, but may well face delays. Also confirmed for this year is the Audi e-tron Sportback, which is a sportier version of the existing e-tron, but we aren’t likely to see the Tesla Model Y for a while longer, as right-hand drive production timing hasn’t been confirmed yet.
It’s not just passenger cars either – a small selection of electric vans from LDV and Renault is available as well.
If you are willing to keep burning some petrol in the mix with your electric running, then a plug-in electric vehicle (PHEV) could suit you, as it does offer the best blend of daily electric commuting and range-anxiety-free open road running that is better suited to New Zealand’s terrain.
There is also a lot more choice in here as well, from the ultrafrugal Toyota Prius Prime and the ridiculously practical and usable Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, right up to the insanely fast and powerful Porsche Panamera Turbo E-Hybrid that will sprint from 0 to 100kmh in 3.4 seconds and boasts a combined average fuel economy of just 2.9L/100km.
Not at the same time, obviously, but still.
We haven’t included electric ranges here, as they vary too much and some don’t even offer pure EV modes anyway.
Toyota Prius Prime – $46,990 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV XLS – $52,490
Hyundai Ioniq PHEV – $53,990 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV VRX – $57,990
Mini Countryman Cooper S E – $59,990
Hyundai Ioniq PHEV Elite – $59,990
BMW 225xe – $69,800
Audi A3 e-tron – $71,500 BMW 330e – $91,900 Mercedes-Benz C 300e – $100,500 BMW X3 xDrive30e – $107,700 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300e – $107,700
Volvo S60 T8 R-Design – $114,900 Volvo V60 T8 R-Design – $114,900 Volvo XC60 T8 Polestar Engineered – $129,900
BMW 530e – $137,400
Volvo XC90 T8 R-Design – $149,900 Mercedes-Benz E 350e – $143,100 BMW X5 xDrive45e – $155,500 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid – $161,900
Range Rover Sport HSE Dynamic P400e – $174,900
BMW 745e – $187,900 Porsche Panamera 4 E-Hybrid – $236,300
Porsche Panamera 4 E-Hybrid Sport Turismo – $242,700 BMW i8 – $286,200 Porsche Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid – $294,900
Porsche Cayenne Coupe Turbo S E-Hybrid – $304,900
BMW i8 Roadster – $309,900 Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid – $429,100
Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid Sport Turismo – $435,500