Mid-sized electric vehicle with the widest range in Australia: Tesla Model 3 compared to rivals
The list of electric cars on sale in Australia is constantly growing and driving range is a key selling point as buyers try to avoid ‘range anxiety’.
Although passenger cars are no longer as popular as they once were, the Tesla Model 3 has sparked a revival of the once popular body style.
With that in mind, we’ve rounded up electric cars from the midsize passenger segment on the VFACTS sales chart to see which can go the farthest on a single charge.
For this list, we used the claimed ranges published on the Australian Government website Green vehicle guideuses figures based on the more lenient NEDC test cycle.
We’ve only listed the variant of each model with the longest confirmed range, although there’s more information about each option throughout the article and at the links below.
Click on the links below to jump to your chosen vehicle or check out the story.
BYD seal
The BYD Seal has the best claimed range of any electric vehicle in the hotly contested mid-size segment, with 650km on the NEDC test cycle.
The Seal Premium is the top choice in terms of range, with an 82.5kWh battery and 230kW of power.
In addition to boasting the longest range, the Seal is also the cheapest car on this list – priced at $58,978 before on-road costs in the Premium trim.
Top performance bumps power up to 390kW but range takes a hit, dropping to 580km.
| Premium BYD Seal | |
|---|---|
| Scope (confirmed) | 650 km |
| Battery capacity | 82.5kWh |
| Power | 230kW |
| Charging (confirmed @ max. DC) | 38 minutes (10 to 80 percent) |
BUY: Contact your dealer about BYD Seal
THAN: Everything BYD Seal
Tesla Model 3
The updated version of the Tesla Model 3 launches in Australia in late 2023, with a range of 629 km in long-range all-wheel drive mode.
A 79kWh battery is estimated to power the dual electric motors to produce up to 366kW of power in this mid-range model, priced at $64,900 before on-road costs.
The best-selling Model 3 also ranked second in DC charging time, taking just 27 minutes to charge from 10% to 80%.
| Tesla Model 3 AWD long range | |
|---|---|
| Scope (confirmed) | 629 km |
| Battery capacity | 79kWh (estimated) |
| Power | Up to 366kW |
| Charging (confirmed @ max. DC) | 27 minutes (10 to 80 percent) |
BUY: Contact dealer about Tesla Model 3
THAN: Everything Tesla Model 3
North Star 2
There are three Polestar 2 variants available, but the Long Range Single Motor can travel the farthest between charges.
The long-range single motor has an 82kWh battery and 220kW of power and it can be bought now for $58,900 plus on-roads later. Prices were reduced earlier this month.
The more powerful dual-motor version tops out at 310kW and a range of 525km.
| Polestar 2 long range single engine | |
|---|---|
| Scope (confirmed) | 625km |
| Battery capacity | 82kWh |
| Power | 220kW |
| Charging (confirmed @ max. DC) | 28 minutes (10 to 80 percent) |
THAN: Everything Polestar 2
Hyundai Ioniq 6
The Hyundai Ioniq 6 may not travel the farthest between charges, but you’ll spend less time waiting to get back on the road with a DC fast charger.
Charging time is claimed to be 16 minutes (10 to 80 percent) and the well-designed sedan can travel 614 kilometers between charges.
Six variants are available priced from $66,500 before on-roads and $86,500 before on-roads, although the Extended Range RWD, Dynamiq RWD and Epiq RWD offer the most range.
Power is limited to 168kW for RWD models, which is lower than the rivals listed here.
| Hyundai Ioniq 6 | |
|---|---|
| Scope (confirmed) | 614km |
| Battery capacity | 77.4kWh |
| Power | 168kW |
| Charging (confirmed @ max. DC) | 16 minutes (10 to 80 percent) |
BUY: Contact dealer about Hyundai Ioniq 6 car
THAN: Everything Hyundai Ioniq 6
BMW i4
The BMW i4 eDrive40 has nearly 100km less range than the closest competitor on this list, capable of traveling 520km on a single charge.
Under the hood of the mid-range product, you’ll find an 84kWh battery and a single motor in the rear that produces 250kW of power.
You’ll pay $102,900 before on-road costs for the eDrive40, while the 400kW M50 costs $133,900 before on-road costs.
It took 31 minutes to charge the i4 from 10 to 80 percent at a DC charging station.
| BMW i4 eDrive40 | |
|---|---|
| Scope (confirmed) | 520km |
| Battery capacity | 83.9kWh |
| Power | 250kW |
| Charging (confirmed @ max. DC) | 31 minutes (10 to 80 percent) |
