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Best electric cars arriving in 2020

The eagerly anticipated Porsche Taycan Turbo S will strike fear into the electric heart of the Tesla Model S Performance.

Welcome to the zero-tailpipe-emissions future. Electric vehicles aren’t a fad. They’ve been around for a while, and 2020 will be one of the busiest years yet when it comes to new releases.

Even though Australia doesn’t have the stringent emissions targets some other developed countries do, there’s still an influx of EVs to look forward to.

Ironically, this deluge has been influenced by overseas legislation, and while the EV charging infrastructure in Australia is underdeveloped, many carmakers are proceeding with their plans.

Audi e-tron – September

The e-tron isn’t Audi’s first foray into EVs, but it is its most serious attempt to date. It’s also the first in what is expected to be a long line of models wearing the environmentally conscious moniker.

The first thing the e-tron has going for it is it’s an SUV available in traditional wagon and coupe-style Sportback forms, so it is bang-on trend. Secondly, it’s launching with solid driving range (that has already improved once), so it is a genuine proposition.

Granted the e-tron has been a long time coming for Audi in Australia, but it will still represent a massive leap forward when it arrives in September.

Mini Electric Hatch – August

Is there any car that suits electrification more than the Mini Cooper? It’s designed for the city, already fun to drive and quirky in its own right.

The Electric Hatch therefore makes a lot of sense, and it’s due in Australia in August, so we’ll find out soon enough if it has found the perfect formula.

More importantly, it will be one of the most affordable EVs Down Under, making it a legitimate option for buyers that want something a little different.

MG ZS EV – Third quarter

You only need to look at the 2019 sales chart to realise MG is now a genuine player in the Australian market, building its Chinese-owned British brand on key models like the ZS small SUV.

To show how seriously it is taking the Australian market, MG will get on the EV bandwagon nice and early in the third quarter with the aptly named ZS EV.

As a small SUV, the ZS has already shown its volume potential, and in EV form it could prove to be a surprise performer once more. After all, enticing driveaway pricing for the first 100 units always helps.

Polestar 2 – Fourth quarter

Bear with us for a moment. Who is Polestar? Volvo’s go-fast division, of course! But not anymore. See, it’s been spun off as a standalone brand that sells EVs with a performance bent.

While the Polestar 1 coupe sadly won’t make its way to Australia due to a lack of right-hand-drive production, the Polestar 2 sedan is a goer from the fourth quarter.

Shaping up as a rival to Tesla’s popular Model 3, the Polestar 2 will have a huge weight on its proverbial shoulders as both an EV and a brand-builder.

Porsche Taycan – Fourth quarter

You know things are getting serious when Porsche gets involved. Plug-in hybrids have been part of its line-up for years now, but the time has finally arrived for its all-electric model, the Taycan sedan.

The Mission E concept whet the appetite many moons ago, but the Taycan is the real deal, showing that EVs can be both good for the environment and fun to drive.

With the Tesla Model S firmly in sight, the Taycan will launch in the fourth quarter with three flavours: 4S, Turbo, Turbo S. Yes, Porsche is sticking with the nomenclature we know and love despite the lack of an internal-combustion engine.

Want to know what other new models are getting released in 2020? Check out our coverage below.

The best new cars coming to Australia in 2020

Best SUVs arriving in 2020

Best utes arriving in 2020

Best hatchbacks arriving in 2020

Best 4x4 and off-road vehicles arriving in 2020

Best sedans arriving in 2020

Best electric cars arriving in 2020

Best sports cars arriving in 2020

Want to know which new models are arriving in 2021? Check out our rolling coverage below.

The best new cars coming to Australia in 2021

Best SUVs arriving in 2021

Best 4x4 and off-road vehicles arriving in 2021

Best crossovers arriving in 2021

Best utes arriving in 2021

Best hatchbacks arriving in 2021

Best sedans arriving in 2021

Best electric cars arriving in 2021

Best sports cars arriving in 2021

Justin Hilliard
Head of Editorial
Justin’s dad chose to miss his birth because he wanted to watch Peter Brock hopefully win Bathurst, so it figures Justin grew up to have a car obsession, too – and don’t worry, his dad did turn up in time after some stern words from his mum. That said, despite loving cars and writing, Justin chose to pursue career paths that didn’t lend themselves to automotive journalism, before eventually ending up working as a computer technician. But that car itch just couldn’t be scratched by his chipped Volkswagen Golf R (Mk7), so he finally decided to give into the inevitable and study a Master of Journalism at the same time. And even with the long odds, Justin was lucky enough to land a full-time job as a motoring journalist soon after graduating and the rest, as they say, is history. These days, Justin happily finds himself working at CarsGuide during the biggest period of change yet for the automotive industry, which is perhaps the most exciting part of all. In case you’re wondering, Justin begrudgingly sold the Golf R (sans chip) and still has plans to buy his dream car, an E46 BMW M3 coupe (manual, of course), but he is in desperate need of a second car space – or maybe a third.
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