Currently Available
The following vehicles can be currently purchased in Australia:
Mitsubishi i-MiEV
Launched in mid-2009, the Mitsubishi i-MiEV is the first of a new wave of modern electric vehicles and is based on the petrol-powered Mitsubishi i (sold only in Japan). The i-MiEV made its Australian debut in mid-2010 as a lease vehicle for fleet customers. By early 2012, however, the i-MiEV is available for outright sale to the Australian general public. In Europe, it is sold alongside its rebadged cousins, the Citroen C-Zero and Peugeot iOn. In America a slightly larger version is sold. Global sales, including those of the C-Zero and iOn surpassed the 20,000 mark in 2012. For more information, see the official website.
Facts: Range: 150km [1] Price: from $48,800 Seats: 4 Country of origin: Japan |
Nissan Leaf
The Nissan Leaf was launched in late-2010 and was designed from the ground-up to be electric. The Leaf's Australian introduction was part of the Victorian Government's electric vehicle trial in mid-2011. It was made available for outright purchase to the Australian general public in mid-2012. By this time more than 32,000 Leafs have been sold worldwide, with Japan and America leading the way. For more information, see the official website.
Facts: Range: 175km [1] Price: from $51,500 Seats: 5 Country of origin: Japan |
Tesla Roadster
Since its launch in 2008, the Tesla Roadster has been the epitome for modern electric vehicles. With a chassis developed by Lotus and a 0-100km time of 3.7 seconds, the Tesla Roadster can give any Ferrari, Porsche or Aston Martin a run for its money. Designed from the ground-up to be electric, the Tesla was released in Australia in early 2012, however production has ceased and only remaining stock is sold. Over 2,350 units have been sold globally out of a limit of 2,500 vehicles. For more information, see the official website.
Facts: Range: 340km [1] Price: from $191,888 Seats: 2 Country of origin: USA |
Holden VoltA rebadged Chevrolet Volt (pictured in the banner above), the Holden Volt will be Australia's first plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, i.e a vehicle that employs a petrol engine when the battery is depleted. The Volt was designed from the ground -up to be a plug-in hybrid. Sold in Europe alongside its rebadged cousins, the Opel Ampera and Vauxhall Ampera, the Volt is the first successful plug-in hybrid. As of mid-2012, the Volt family has sold more than 20,000 units worldwide. The Holden Volt is scheduled to be released in Australia in late-2012. For more information, see the official website.
Facts: Range: 61km (est, electric), 500km (est, petrol) Price: From $59,990 (est) Seats: 4 Country of origin: USA |
Confirmed for Australia
The following vehicles are scheduled to be released in Australia in the near future:
Renault Fluence Z.E.
Launched in mid-2012, the Renault Fluence Z.E. is the first production vehicle to feature a swappable battery. In partnership with Better Place, the Renault Fluence Z.E. is able to drive up to a battery-swap station and have a fully charged battery inserted in the same time it takes to refuel a petrol car. Based on the petrol powered Renault Fluence, the Fluence Z.E. is scheduled to be released in Australia in late-2012, just as Better Place is rolling out their battery-swap stations nation-wide. Of course, the Renault Fluence Z.E. can also be charged like a regular electric car. For more information, see the official website.
Facts: Range: 185km (est) Price: unknown Seats: 5 Country of origin: France |
Australian Release in the Pipeline
The following vehicles are expected to be launched in Australia by their importer/distributor but have no confirmed time frame:
Ford Focus Electric
Currently on sale in the USA, the all-electric version of the Ford Focus has some of the best operational figures in the market, including range, charge time and efficiency. Based on the standard Ford Focus, ford Australia have anticipated a 2014 release. For more information, see the official website.
Facts: Range: 122km (est) Price: unknown Seats: 2 Country of origin: Germany |
Smart Fortwo Electric Drive
Commonly referred to as the "Smart ED", the electric Fortwo has been leased in Europe and the USA since the first generation of electric Smarts made their debut in 2007. Now in its third generation, the Fortwo Electric Drive has begun sales to the general public in Europe and a local release is on the agenda, according to Mercedes-Benz Australia. The Smart Fortwo currently on sale in Australia are petrol-powered. For more information, see the official website.
Facts: Range: 140km (est) Price: unknown Seats: 2 Country of origin: Germany |
Renault Zoe
Due for a European launch in late-2012, the Renault Zoe expected to be Renault's second electric vehicle for sale in Australia and fourth for sale in Europe. Designed from the ground-up to be electric, the Zoe is slightly larger than its Clio cousin. It is also expected to be cheaper and have a longer range than the Nissan Leaf, which is a larger car. Recently the Zoe underwent tests in Melbourne and Perth. For more information, see the official website.
Facts: Range: 210km (est) Price: unknown Seats: 5 Country of origin: France |
Reva NXR
The Reva NXR is the successor of the iconic Reva i (also known as the G-Wiz), of which over 4,000 units have been sold in over 20 countries. The NXR will continue the Reva i's famous affordability but will add refinement, range and more importantly space. Scheduled to launch in India in late-2012, Reva has plans for an Australian debut shortly after. For more information, see the official website.
Facts: Range: 160km (est) Price: unknown Seats: 4 Country of origin: India |
Banner photograph (cc-by-2.0) NRMA New Cars
Photograph credits (top to bottom, left to right): (cc-by-nc-nd-2.0) Mitsubishi-España, (pd-usgov) NHTSA, (cc-by-2.0) NRMA New Cars, (cc-by-2.0) thomasrdotorg, (cc-by-2.0) M 93, (cc-by-2.0) InSapphoWeTrust, (cc-by-2.0) Autoviva.com, (cc-by-2.0) NRMA New Cars, (cc-by-2.0) RevaNorge.
Photograph credits (top to bottom, left to right): (cc-by-nc-nd-2.0) Mitsubishi-España, (pd-usgov) NHTSA, (cc-by-2.0) NRMA New Cars, (cc-by-2.0) thomasrdotorg, (cc-by-2.0) M 93, (cc-by-2.0) InSapphoWeTrust, (cc-by-2.0) Autoviva.com, (cc-by-2.0) NRMA New Cars, (cc-by-2.0) RevaNorge.