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