We have had a big 2020, being tested when it comes to our health, physical and mental well-being. Relationships have been tested, finances, businesses, supply chains and economies the like. The world is a different place. Some countries are now in recovery mode others in 2nd and 3rd lockdowns. Places like Germany, UK, NZ & Canada just to name a few, they are all choosing ‘Green’ recoveries, promoting future clean tech, renewables, sustainable transport etc. Australia however has chosen the not so clean recovery choosing to keep on our dirty pathway of gas and oil exploitations in some of our best agricultural and water source areas.
Some of these other countries have embraced the opportunity to reset focus and look to the future with energy generation and how we use it. Renewable energy is at the forefront and making the transition to this clean tech sooner rather than later, setting ambitious targets. There are ways now to generate heat with out burning fossil fuels, there are ways to transport passengers without fossil fuels, and our commute can be free of fossil fuels as well.
Transport emissions were highlighted when the city skylines cleared in some of the worlds most polluted cities during lockdowns, the air was easy to breathe and you could see for kilometers! This created the conversation around our transport emissions and what it really does to our personal health and the health of our environment. Whilst many manufacturers have been hit hard with lockdowns and COVID 19 associated financial downturns, EVs have largely continued strongly with sales, despite the broader car market further slumping as it has in the past few years. EVs are continuing in an upward trend albeit still small, but none-the-less its an increase in sales by some 25% in Australia.
Tesla released their much hyped Model Y mid sized SUV in Q1 2020 (not currently available in Aus) far ahead of schedule. VW released their ID.3 hatchback in Q3 2020 (tho not available in Aus, maybe 2022?) after software issues saw deliveries take place almost a year after the first cars left the production line. The sister to the Audi e-tron SUV is the e-tron Sportback both of which were released this year in Aus. The Polestar 2 was released, as to was the Volvo X40 Recharge, both slated to hit Aussie shores before the end of the year. Mini released their Mini Electric and has made it to Aus in Q3. MG released their MG ZS EV compact SUV but we are still yet to see them here. Last but not least the Porsche Taycan is said to hit our roads before years end.
Kia are still yet to release the e-soul and e-niro in Aus after they axed the release slated for the 2020 Aus Open Tennis, sighting low sales volumes in Australia. Which leads me to incentives, some states are making positive moves towards EVs, most recently South Australia. The Federal Government however, delayed the release of their plan for EVs that was to be released mid 2020. Luckily EV sales are still growing but sales are still low overall, no time to celebrate yet…
Furthermore to my Sub $80K EVs – Rural Driving? blog post, there have been some changes to the line up, prices and specs of those cars. I was close to pulling the trigger on a Kona EV mid year despite being my second choice of EV behind the Tesla Model 3 SR+. The pull to an EV for me is strong and almost took me down a path i had not planned. Long story short I am still EV-less, and I am OK with that, just…… Whilst the Kona seems to be a solid car, it is exactly that…. a car, whilst being at risk of sounding crazy the Model 3 is for me, more than a car, its a computer on wheels and a high tech one at that, I am glad I have waited and did not divert from my plan.
Hyundai Kona Electric is now rated for 484km of WLTP range and starting at $65,887.
Hyundai Ioniq Electric is still rated for 311km of WLTP range and starting at $53,363.
MG ZS EV still looks to be rated for 263km of WLTP range and starting at $43,990.
Renault Zoe is no longer available in Australia but there are some great runout deals around.
Nissan Leaf is still the 40kWh version and rated for 270km of WLTP range and starting at $53,190.
BMW i3s is now rated for 308km of WLTP range and starts at $78,818.
The Tesla Model 3 SR+ has gone up and down in price in the last year, in WA the price got up to $81,125 on road and currently sits at $73,811 on road. There has also been some significant upgrades to the car inside and out, from cosmetic changes to range increases (now 430km WLTP). The Model 3 SR+ is now better value than ever! As I mentioned my preferred EV was the Model 3 SR+, its been almost a year since I had the experience of the car for 3 days. With the almost $7.5k reduction in price, the range increase and hardware additions the car is likely a few thousand dollars better. If you were thinking of buying like I was, you would be crazy not to secure this price and value. The price could increase again, who knows?
If you want to get moving with your purchase, locking in the new updates and cheaper price, you can use my Referral code to get 1,500km of free supercharging to start your Tesla road trips free of charge. https://ts.la/jarrad95799 be sure to use this or someone else’s code to place your order, you cannot add it after you have ordered.
So was 2020 the year of the EV? Well some great things happened, but the key is that momentum in the EV market is still building, so every year that happens we have had a great year!
Rural Oz Electric Car Blog 