2024 Best Electric Cars: 14 winners revealed in ultimate EV test

Part of the answer lies in disproportionate relevance. Despite relatively low – though fast-growing – sales figures, electric cars are the one segment set to have the biggest impact on every Aussie motorist over the next decade.

Petrol and diesel cars are set to be banned in Europe and the UK from 2035, while Australia is currently undergoing hot political and industry debate regarding the introduction of a national fuel efficiency standard that essentially aims to wean the country off its appetite for big, gas-guzzling utes and SUVs.

But they can work for many buyers right now, especially those with the ability to charge at home.

Australians are already making the switch to EVs in bigger numbers: Five years ago, about 1350 fully electric vehicles were sold locally – with fewer than 450 registered to private buyers.

In 2023, more than 87,000 battery electric vehicles (BEVs) were registered – a year-on-year increase of 161 per cent. To the end of February 2024, BEV registrations are up again, by 15 per cent.

This year we’ll see at least 30 new EVs, including first-ever battery vehicles from the likes of Jeep (Avenger), Renault (Megane E-Tech), Skoda (Enyaq), Subaru (Solterra), Toyota (bZ4x), and Volkswagen (ID.3, ID.4, ID.Buzz).

Toyota taking on the Tesla Model Y, the world’s best-selling car, with the bZ4x SUV is just one of the fascinating battles among our dozen Wheels Best EVs comparisons.

BYD has its first direct challenger to the Tesla Model 3 with the Seal, while its Dolphin hatch joins the GWM Ora and MG4 as models proving EVs can be properly affordable.

And its likeable Atto 3 SUV faces a test against Hyundai’s second-generation electric Kona as well as fresh French rivals.

Part Two is equally intriguing, where German luxury brands Audi, BMW and Mercedes clash not just with now-traditional challengers Lexus and Genesis but also the most expensive models to be offered yet from Hyundai and Kia (the Ioniq 5 N and EV9, respectively).

The 5 N, Hyundai’s first electric performance car, faces a raft of fast EVs, with no less of a daunting prospect than facing the mighty Porsche Taycan.

This week we've published all our Over $80K, completing our guide to the