Fiat
Italian small car specialist Fiat has already stopped selling ICE vehicles in the United Kingdom. The brand will transition to an electric-only brand worldwide between 2025 and 2030, aiming for the cost of its new EV models to rival those of its petrol and diesel cars.
Already a sales success in Europe, the iconic Fiat 500-e EV launched in Australia mid-2023, with the performance-focused electric Abarth 500e arriving at the end of last year.
Volvo
Volvo is rapidly phasing out the sale of ICE and hybrid vehicles locally, aiming to sell electric-only vehicles in Australia by 2026, four years ahead of the brand’s global ambitions.
The Chinese-owned brand has already signalled a target for 50 per cent of global sales to be fully electric by 2025. Every current Volvo model is now available in a plug-in hybrid variation (such as the S60 hybrid), making the brand the first legacy carmaker to overhaul its entire model range to hybrid or electric.
Volvo’s first full EV, the XC40 Recharge SUV, launched in 2023. The EX30 is expected to arrive in Australia in early this year with a sleek single central touch screen having ditched the digital instrument display.
The Mustang Mach-E is Ford’s first ever pure-electric model. Image: Supplied
Bentley
Ultra-luxury brand Bentley will shift from petrol to electric-only models by 2030, while all models will be offered with a plug-in hybrid option by 2026.
Of Bentley’s current models, both the Bentayga SUV and Flying Spur sedan are already available in plug-in hybrid guise, with plans for the Continental GT and GTC to join.
The brand projects five new EV models to join its model range over the next five years.
Alfa Romeo
The sporty Italian car manufacturer has announced that its first electric SUV will launch in 2024, with the whole model range going electric-only from 2027.
In Australia, the Alfa Romeo Tonale PHEV SUV launched at the end of 2023, and the Milano light SUV will debut globally in April
A new electric sedan is slated for launch in 2027, followed by a new flagship electric SUV in 2028.
Lexus
By 2030, Toyota’s luxury arm Lexus aims to only sell electric-only vehicles across the US, and globally by 2035.
The 2023 RZ SUV is Lexus’ first all-electric offering, with plans for an EV sports coupe, a supercar, SUVs, and a sedan all in the pipeline.
The Alfa Romeo Tonale PHEV SUV launched in Australia at the end of 2023. Image: Supplied
Car brands with electric vehicle plans
These car brand may not have committed to a global all-electric strategy just yet, but are investing in a larger EV range, with some new models scheduled to arrive in Australia.
Audi
Audi aims to be all-electric by 2033 – in every corner of the globe excluding China. On sale now in Australia are the Audi e-tron GT and Audi Q8 55 e-tron with the new Audi SQ8 e-tron and SQ8 Sportback e-tron models arriving in Audi dealerships in the second quarter of 2024.
The Audi Q3 sized Q4e-tron hits Aussie roads in the second half of this year and will be in the, priced from $88,300 plus on-road costs.
Mitsubishi
In partnership with Nissan and Renault, Mitsubishi will jointly develop over 30 EVs by 2030, going all electric or hybrid by 2035. Mitsubishi launched its first EV, the i-MiEV in 2010, It plans to release a new small SUV in 2025. It is unclear, however, if it will be a Mitsubishi-designed vehicle or a version of the Renault.
Currently, Mitsubishi offers the Outlander PHEV and Eclipse Cross PHEV in Australian showrooms.
Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz models will be all electric by 2030… well, kind of.
While every segment of the brand’s model range now has an electric option and will continue to do so, there is a caveat: these EVs will only be sold ‘where market conditions allow.’
This means post 2030, Mercedes-Benz petrol and diesel vehicles may still be produced for auto markets that aren’t seeing as much EV demand.
Mercedes-Benz’s all-electric offerings fall under the ‘EQ’ range in Australia. The brand currently has seven electric passenger vehicles in its range and three plug-in hybrids. It also launched the Mercedes-Benz e-Vito van and e-Vito Tourer last year.
Peugeot
Peugeot has introduced electric versions of its entire model range and will transition to electric-only across Europe by 2030. The first electric passenger car to arrive in Australia was the e-2008 small SUV which was launched late last year and it will be joined here this year by the e-208 electric hatch, which has been on sale in Europe for four years.
Peugeot also offers its Partner van as an electric model and has five plug-in hybrid passenger cars in its local range
Globally, around 70 per cent of Peugeot models are EV or PHEV.
General Motors (GM)
GM announced plans to eliminate tailpipe emissions from all light-duty vehicles – which includes all cars, SUVs, and pick-up trucks – by 2035. GM intends to sell one million EVs a year in North America and China by 2050. They will also add 2,700 fast charging stations across the US by 2025 in a bid to challenge EV sales leader Tesla.
In Australia, GM is making it’s way back into the market, leading with the Cadillac Lyriq all-electric SUV which will be released by the end of this year. The Lyriq is set to rival the likes of luxury SUVs BMW iX, Audi Q8 e-tron and the Mercedes-Benz EQE. There will be more Cadillacs to come with no set timelines announced yet.
GM’s larger pick-up trucks popular in North America, and growing in popularity here are not included in the brand’s EV commitment.
