2022 looks set to be an extremely exciting year for new car arrivals as manufacturers shake-off production slowdowns from the Covid-19 pandemic and look to expand their portfolio’s share of electric vehicles to meet growing demand.
The industry as a whole is steadily moving toward wide scale adoption of electric vehicles, and as manufacturers move to meet increasingly tight environmental regulations, they’re making all-new EVs and electric-powered variants of existing models to keep the buying public happy.
Better still, advancements in electric motors and battery technology alike is resulting in new cars that are being released with all-electric driving ranges that come close to what’s on offer from a conventional internal combustion unit, while offering significantly more power than their traditional counterparts.
While the first few years of electric vehicles saw little in the way of competition, as the entire automotive sector gets onboard with electric cars, prices are set to tumble as increased competition provides buyers with a more appealing value-for-money proposition than ever before.
While this list focuses mainly on the all-electric cars arriving in Australia throughout 2022, we’ll be sure to provide you with an additional list of some of the most exciting hybrid and plug-in hybrid cars arriving in 2022 and beyond in the near future. With all this in mind, let’s take a look at some of the most exciting electric cars arriving here in Australia throughout 2022 to see if your next car might feature an all-electric powertrain.
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Request a quoteBMW i4
BMW is giving one of its most familiar faces the all-electric treatment, with the arrival of the BMW i4 scheduled for the first quarter of 2022. Prices kickoff from $99,900 for the entry-level i4 eDrive40 and stretch out to $124,900 for the range-topping i4 M50, both of which receive an 84kWh battery pack that offers 590km in the eDrive40, and 510km in the M50.
Australian spec models come packed with a full M Sport package including adaptive suspension, M Sport brakes, aero kit and a set of 19-inch alloy wheels, making for one of the sportier entrants to Australia’s EV landscape when it arrives early 2022.
Tesla Model Y
We’ve seen small and large sedans from Tesla, as well as a large SUV, however, Australia is yet to take any deliveries of the highly-anticipated Model Y, the company’s all-electric, compact SUV that will likely take the segment by storm when it arrives some time in 2022. Tesla has been flat-out meeting record-setting demand for its Model Y SUV throughout the US and Europe, which has since become the world’s highest-volume electric SUV.
It’s expected that the Model Y will arrive to Australia with the option of a 62.28kWh in the standard range variant, with the long-range Model Y likely receiving an 82.8kWh lithium-ion battery pack, translating to range figures of around 505km for the Model Y, according to Tesla’s website; it’s unknown if this figure relates to the standard or long-range variant.
Subaru Solterra
2022 looks set to be a hugely influential year for Subaru, as the company readies its first-ever battery electric passenger vehicle named the Solterra. While Subaru is yet to officially confirm if the Solterra is headed to Australia, it seems likely that the EV will indeed make it Down Under.
When it does, the Solterra offers buyers the choice of a single or dual-motor, all-wheel drive platform that is paired with an 71kWh battery pack, translating to a 530km range figure in the front-wheel drive variant and 460km in the all-wheel drive Solterra. The Solterra comes with fast-charging technology enabling an 80% charge in 30-minutes from a 150kW fast-charger.
Genesis Electrified G80
Genesis took the Shanghai Motor Show by surprise in 2021 with the unveiling of the Genesis Electrified G80, which has been confirmed for an Australian release in 2022. The company’s all-electric sedan takes a no-compromises approach to luxury, with a premium interior design and sleek, stylish exterior design that even features some solar panels on the roof.
The Electrified G80 features a powerful dual-motor design that pushes out a combined 272kW/700Nm of power, which makes it the quickest G80 in the lineup. The company says that the al-electric G80 returned range figures on 427km using Korea’s testing system, while returning figures of 500km on the NECD cycle. It can be fast-charged up to 350kW, offering a 10-80% charge in the space of just 22-minutes.
Hyundai Ioniq 5
While Hyundai’s all-new Ioniq 5 is already available here in Australia, the company has confirmed that some more affordable variants are set to hit dealerships some time in 2022. As it stands, the Ioniq 5 lineup kicks off from $71,900 and stretches out to $75,900 for the all-wheel drive variant. Hyundai is looking to lower the price of entry for the Ioniq 5, however, which could see the release of some new entry-level variants to the Australian market.
For reference, the current Ioniq 5 lineup comes packaged with a 72.6kWh battery pack, with a single and dual-motor configuration, with a range figure slated at 430km. The addition of a new Ioniq 5 variant could see a slightly smaller battery pack installed, or a variant receiving less equipment and features than the existing lineup to entice new buyers around the $60,000 mark.
Audi e-tron S and Sportback
Audi has confirmed that its all-new e-tron S and e-tron S Sportback will make their way to Australian shores in early 2022, heralding a new chapter in Audi’s SUV portfolio with the addition of a new, pure electric family-mover. Prices start at $165,600 for the e-tron S, while the Sportback is priced at $172,700; both variants receive a tri-motor design that installs two electric motors over the rear axle, with a third motor over the front, producing a combined 370kW/973Nm of power.
Both the e-tron S and Sportback variant are powered by the same 86kWh high-voltage battery pack that offers a claimed 413km of range for the S and 418km in the Sportback, both of which can be fast-charged up to 150kW. This offers a charge from 0-80% in the space of 30-minutes, and a full-charge in 45-minutes; using an 11kW AC wall charger at home brings the e-tron’s charging figure to 8.5-hours.
Kia EV6
While Kia has already launched its groundbreaking new EV, the EV6 to the European and North American markets, the company is planning on waiting until 2022 for its official arrival here in Australia. When it does arrive, though, the EV6 looks to take Australia’s electric car market by storm, due to the simple fact it offers some of the most enticing range figures of the segment.
The Kia EV6 will be introduced to Australian buyers with two batteries available: a 58kWh unit and a larger 77.4kWh battery pack, which translates to a range figure of 510km in the rear-wheel drive variant powered by the largest pack. Not only will the 0-100km/h times be as rapid as just 3.6 seconds, the EV6 will support 800-volt charging for the battery that can charge from 10-80% in just 18-minutes, and features a clever vehicle-to-vehicle charging system to help out your friends if they’ve run out of charge.
Mercedes-Benz EQB
Mercedes-Benz has been on the front foot when it comes to EV releases, announcing plans to massively expand their electric vehicle portfolio in 2022 and beyond. Set to become the company’s potential best-seller when it arrives next year, the all-electric EQB is billed as the company’s luxurious yet practical seven-seater, with range figures standing at around 478km on the NEDC3 cycle, and around 419km on the stringent WLTP cycle.
The EQB features a 66.6kWh battery pack in the entry-level variant, with a long-range variant also in the product pipeline, according to reports. The EQB comes packaged with DC fast-charging up to 100kW, which brings the battery pack from 10-80% charge in just 30-minutes.
MG ZS EV Update
On the opposite end of the price spectrum, Australia’s king of the affordable electric vehicle landscape, the ZS EV, is set to receive a major overhaul in 2022, featuring a significant styling revision and longer driving range. Set to arrive some time in late 2022, the revised MG ZS EV will be optioned with a choice of a 51kWh battery in the standard range and 72kWh pack for the long range variant, replacing the existing single 44.5kWh battery currently available in the range.
The large capacity battery pack adds a 67% range increase for the ZS EV, which now stands at 440km, on the WLTP cycle, while the standard range offers 320km of all-electric driving. The addition of these larger battery packs will give Australian buyers more value for money than ever before in the EV landscape, considering MG’s attractive drive-away prices.
Genesis GV60
Genesis is adding another all-electric creation to its electric vehicle portfolio for 2022, with the addition of the GV60 EV compact crossover SUV to its lineup, which is set to hit Australia some time next year. The Genesis GV60 will come in three main variants, each of which is powered by a 77.4kWh battery pack that will offer up to 450km of real-world driving.
The GV60 shares the e-GMP platform that is used across the Hyundai-Kia EV lineup, underpinning cars like the aforementioned Kia EV6 and the Hyundai Ioniq 5, and come packaged with 350kW DC fast-charging that can bring the battery pack from 10-80% state of charge in just 18-minutes.
Polestar 2
Volvo’s electrified sub-brand, Polestar, has confirmed Australian prices for its upcoming Polestar 2, which is set to take on EVs like the Tesla Model 3, Hyundai Ioniq and the Genesis GV60 we just talked about. With prices kicking off from $59,900 for the entry-level Polestar 2 variant, it’s clear that the company is keen to take on the affordable EV segment, with standard, long-range single motor and long-range double-motor configurations available.
The entry-level Polestar 2 receives a 64kWh battery pack good for around 440km of driving range on the WLTP cycle, while the long range Polestar 2 receives a 78kWh battery, good for around 540km of driving. The range-topping Long Range dual-motor offers more power but less real-world driving range, with an impressive 300kW/660Nm available, but range figures dropping to 480km over the long range single motor variant. Keep an eye out for the Polestar 2 when it arrives here in Australia in January, 2022.
Rivian R1S SUV & R1T Pick-up
The latest American startup specialising in electric cars, Rivian, has confirmed that its R1T and R1S creations will be heading to Australia some time toward the end of 2022, as it ramps up production numbers throughout the year. The R1S SUV and the R1T pick-up are extremely interesting creations, taking a new approach to EV design and packaging while offering a more rugged, durable design than what’s currently available in the EV marketplace.
The R1T lineup features massive 105, 135 and 180kWh battery packs, with the company confirming that its 135kWh pack translates to around 482km of real-world driving, while the 180kWh unit brings this figure up to 643km.
Mercedes-Benz EQE
Mercedes-Benz has confirmed that its all-electric EQE sedan will be launched in the middle of 2022, with Australian deliveries likely toward the end of the year. The EQE is essentially Mercedes’ vision for the future of the iconic E-Class sedan as it journeys further into the 21st century.
It will come packaged in two main variants, with the EQE 350 receiving a 90kWh battery pack that translates to a 215kW/530Nm power figure, and a real-world driving range of up to 660km. Mercedes has also confirmed that another variant, as well as an AMG performance version of the EQE will be made available in the future, making for an incredibly exciting EQE range.
Toyota bZ4x
Toyota recently lifted the lid on its upcoming battery-electric SUV known as the bZ4x, with Australian deliveries expected to take place in the middle of 2022. Co-developed alongside the Subaru Solterra that we talked about earlier, the bZ4x features a 71.4kWh battery pack that offers an all-electric driving range of 500km in the front-wheel drive variant and 460km in the all-wheel drive variant.
The bZ4x will come packaged with 150kW DC fast-charging, enabling a 0-80% charge in 30-minutes, while adding a solar roof system that Toyota says adds 1,800km worth of driving range each year. Keep an eye out for the bZ4x when it reaches Australian shores in mid 2022.
Volvo XC90
The last entry to our list of the best electric cars arriving in 2022 goes to the Volvo XC90, which is set to go all-electric in its next generation. Volvo’s flagship family-moving SUV is set to receive a large capacity battery pack in both single and dual-motor configurations, and while the company is yet to release any firm details of the all-electric XC90, we’re sure it will impress buyers looking for a family-friendly, luxurious and competent electric car when it arrives next year.
