Electric vehicle plans of the world's top car brands

The XC40 Recharge mid-size SUV is the first of many new EVs coming from Volvo. Image: Supplied. 

Bentley 

Ultra-luxury brand Bentley will shift from petrol to electric-only models by 2030, while all models will be offered with a plug-in hybrid option by 2026. 

Of Bentley’s current models, both the Bentayga SUV and Flying Spur sedan are already available in plug-in hybrid guise, with plans for the Continental GT and GTC to join.

The brand projects five new EV models to join its model range over the next five years.

Alfa Romeo

The sporty Italian car manufacturer has announced that its first electric SUV will launch in 2024, with the whole model range going electric-only from 2027.

In Australia, Alfa Romeo will sell its Tonale PHEV SUV towards the end of 2023.

A new electric sedan is slated for launch in 2027, followed by a new flagship electric SUV in 2028.

Lexus

By 2030, Toyota’s luxury arm Lexus aims to only sell electric-only vehicles across the US, and globally by 2035.

The 2023 RZ SUV is Lexus’ first all-electric offering, with plans for an EV sports coupe, a supercar, SUVs, and a sedan to be developed and sold in coming years.

The Audi e-tron was the first all-electric vehicle from the famed German brand. Image: Supplied. 

Car brands with electric vehicle plans

These car brand may not have committed to a global all-electric strategy just yet, but are investing in a larger EV range, with some new models scheduled to arrive in Australia. 

Audi

Audi aims to be all-electric by 2033 - in every corner of the globe excluding China. The German brand’s first foray into the EV world was the Audi e-tron.

The company has 10 electric vehicles slated for launch between now and 2025. 

Mitsubishi

In partnership with Nissan and Renault, Mitsubishi will jointly develop over 30 EVs by 2030, going all electric or hybrid by 2035.

Currently, Mitsubishi offers the Outlander PHEV and Eclipse Cross PHEV in Australian showrooms.

Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz models will be all electric by 2030… well, kind of.

While every segment of the brand’s model range now has an electric option and will continue to do so, there is a caveat: these EVs will only be sold 'where market conditions allow.' 

This means post 2030, Mercedes-Benz petrol and diesel vehicles may still be produced for auto markets that aren’t seeing as much EV demand.

Mercedes-Benz’s all-electric offerings fall under the 'EQ' range in Australia.

Peugeot

Peugeot will offer electric versions of its entire model range by the end of 2023, and transition to electric-only across Europe by 2030. There's no word yet on what this means for markets like Australia. 

Currently, around 70 per cent of Peugeot models are EV or PHEV.

General Motors (GM)

GM announced plans to eliminate tailpipe emissions from all light-duty vehicles -  which includes all cars, SUVs, and pick-up trucks - by 2035. GM intends to sell one million EVs a year in North America and China by 2050. They will also add 2,700 fast charging stations across the US by 2025 in a bid to challenge EV sales leader Tesla.

GM’s larger pick-up trucks popular in North America are not included in the brand's EV commitment.

Volkswagen

Volkswagen is investing over $250 billion to make one in every five of its vehicle sales electric by 2025. The brand projects that their EV sales will surpass ICE sales towards the end of the decade. 

Focusing on EVs and PHEVs, VW plans to release 10 EVs by 2026.

Volkswagen's first EV, the Golf-sized ID.3 hatch, will be available in Australia in 2024. 

Kia

By 2030, Kia is aiming for 52 per cent of its global sales to be electric, PHEV or hybrid.

The brand's first full electric vehicle, the acclaimed Kia EV6, hit the Australian market in 2022. Kia also has both Sorento PHEV and Niro EV on sale locally.

Toyota

With Lexus under its corporate umbrella, most of Toyota's EV investment has so far been seen in its luxury arm. Toyota 's first EV, the Toyota bZ4X medium SUV, is scheduled for arrival in Australia later this year.

Toyota is investing heavily in new battery technology, and expects to increase its EV production towards the end of the decade.

Ford

Ford’s European division has committed to transitioning its entire passenger vehicle range to electric-only by 2030. Overall, the brand expects 40-50 per cent of its global car sales to be fully electric by 2030. 

In Australia, Ford is looking to introduce at least five EVs by 2024, headlined by the electric Mustang Mach-E SUV.

Nissan

In 2021, Nissan revealed its strategy to produce 22 new electric or hybrid models by 2030. In Australia, Nissan offers the ageing electric Leaf hatchback, with plans to bring the Ariya electric SUV to local showrooms in the near future.

By 2026, Nissan aims for 75 per cent of its sales in Europe to be ‘electrified,’ as well as 55 per cent in the US, and 40 per cent in China.

Jeep

The popular SUV brand will be developing four new electric models by 2025.

By 2030, the brand aims for 50 per cent of sales in the US to be EV-only, and 100 per cent across Europe. Its plug-in hybrid version of the Jeep Grand Cherokee was launched across Australia this year.

BMW

BMW has plans to develop six new electric vehicles, joining its i4, iX and i7 that are currently on sale.

By 2030, BMW is targeting for 50 per cent of its global sales to be electric, with plans for 10 million BMW EVs on the road worldwide by 2033. 

Subaru

Subaru currently produces the Solterra medium SUV in conjunction with Toyota, with plans for three new electric Subarus to be launched from 2025 in the USA.

By 2028, Subaru expects to produce 400,000 EVs per year, less than half its current annual production.

Porsche

The sports car maker has announced plans for 80 per cent of all sales to be electric by 2030.

The brand already has the popular electric Taycan sedan and wagon in its model range. They will be bringing more EVs to market in coming years, including electric versions of the Macan medium SUV, and the Cayenne large SUV.