Not suitable for our vast landscape, too slow to charge and not practical enough are the usual tropes used to dismiss electric cars in Australia, but a new breed of EVs are blowing those arguments away.
‘s ballyhooed new iX3, which is built on its futuristic Neue Klasse platform, has achieved an astonishing feat.
It has completed a real-world test of more than 800km, which actually beat its claimed 805km WLTP certified .
The test was completed in China using a long-wheelbase version of the iX3 50 xDrive, with the standard wheelbase version that uses the same and electric motors arriving in Australia in the coming months.
The test was completed on public roads across a decent cross section of conditions. It went up and down mountains, through snow, rain and low temperatures, which can all have adverse effects on battery range.
Key to this was the big 108kWh battery and advanced electric motors, energy management tech and that increases the car’s overall efficiency.
Proof that an EV can achieve a driving range of more than 800km means range anxiety can finally be put to bed.
No one should be driving 800km straight without a break.
When you do stop at the slowly increasing number of fast chargers, the iX3 can soak up a max DC rate of 400kW.
This would theoretically allow you to add 350km of charge in just 10 minutes, or to recharge from 10 to 80 per cent in 20 minutes.
The new iX3 is 4782mm long, 1895mm wide, 1635mm tall and has a 2897mm wheelbase – the distance between the front and rear axles.
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That plants it in the mid-size category, but its long wheelbase means it’ll be roomier inside than any petrol- or diesel-powered alternative.
It’s fast, with its two motors pumping out 345kW and 645Nm. This ensures all-paw grip and a brisk 0-100km/h dash time of 4.9sec.
The biggest hurdle to the iX3 is the price. This 50 xDrive version will cost $109,900 (before on-road costs) in Australia, which is more expensive than most can afford.
There is a cheaper 40 variant with 635km of range, and a $89,900 price tag that makes it eligible for generous tax incentives.
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As with all car tech, this will trickle down into more affordable cars sooner rather than later.
And this is just the start.
will bring its new EX60 with more than 800km of range soon, and there are numerous Chinese makers with similar tech waiting in the wings.
This is proof the age of electric cars is right now.