Carmakers have finally flicked the electric switch with the first wave of production-ready battery cars unveiled at Geneva motor show including some that are only months away from Australian dealerships.
The show, which opened yesterday, presented debut electric vehicles from brands across the automotive spectrum, from Hyundai to Bentley, in what will be the biggest test yet of whether buyers are ready for the technology.
Jaguar has beaten its German rivals to market with the I-Pace, a mid-size SUV that arrives in the fourth quarter. Vehicle line director Ian Hoban says electric vehicles are at a tipping point, thanks to more efficient batteries and the rollout of charging infrastructure.
“By 2020, there will be a network of rapid chargers all the way across Europe,” he said at a preview event for the car.
“I-Pace can travel 480km on a full charge and, using a rapid charger, it can reach 80 per cent of charge in less than 40 minutes and add 100km of distance every 15 minutes. It’s a compelling proposition.”
With a zero to 100km/h time of 4.8 seconds, Jaguar believes I-Pace will compete against Porsche’s petrol SUVs on performance while its starting price of $119,000 comes in $21,000 under the most affordable Tesla Model X.
Jaguar will launch the car in South Australia after applauding the recent commitment by the Labor government to scrap stamp duty on electric vehicles and waive registration fees for five years if it is re-elected on March 17 — a move that would save thousands on an I-Pace.
Bentley’s debut electric vehicle is also an SUV, with a plug-in hybrid version of the Bentayga which combines an electric motor and a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 petrol engine. Its batteries can be recharged in as little as 2½ hours for a 50km electric range, and Bentley says its plug-in is just the beginning.
“The Bentley Hybrid is our first step on the road to electrification,” chief executive Adrian Hallmark said.
The German brands are also moving quickly, with the first Mercedes under its EQ electric brand and Porsche’s Mission E sedan both due next year. Porsche’s concept car in Geneva reveals it will soon be ready to add variants to their electric line-ups including an SUV called E Cross.
Jaguar’s I-Pace, which is coming to South Australia.
Electric cars cannot come quickly enough for European carmakers, who are being assailed on all sides by CO2 regulations, a nosedive in diesel demand, the prospect of diesel restrictions in German cities and even the threat of US tariffs.
Volkswagen, whose emissions-cheating software turned Europe against diesels and undermined confidence in the industry, is electrifying quicker than most.
Its Geneva car extended its commitment to EVs with a study for a limousine called I.D. Vizzion with a claimed range of 660km and an autobahn appropriate top speed of 180km/h. With autonomous driving also on the agenda, the concept car lacked a steering wheel.
Tesla sent shudders through the European limousine market last year when its Model S outsold flagships from Mercedes, BMW and Audi for the first time.
(20min delay)