While the Q3 EV market isn’t bursting with new arrivals, expect enough fresh looks and features to make it an interesting sales quarter

As we enter the back half of 2023, there are a few new electric vehicles coming to Canada and already some announced 2024 model year updates.

Q3 2023 saw Vinfast finally delivering in Canada, while Hyundai and Polestar are offering new EV models. Mercedes and Audi are keeping the changes more low key with minor upgrades to their lineups of existing EVs for the 2024. Most recently, in mid-July, Ford announced a massive price cut of up to $15,000 on its 2023 F-150 Lightning all-electric pickup, while GMC unveiled the range specs (up to 613 km), but not the Canadian price, for the 2024 Hummer EV 3X pickup, which is supposed to go on sale this fall.

There is a theme through all these announcements: due to the rapidly changing EV landscape, OEMs are competing to stay on top of a diversifying market.

With that, let’s see what additions are coming to the lineup of EVs available in Canada in Q3 2023.

2024 Polestar 2

The 2024 Polestar 2 may look the same as the 2023 model, but it’s receiving a radical change.

To start, the single-motor versions are now rear-wheel-drive rather than front-wheel-drive as was the case with the 2023 and 2022 models.

Next, the rear-wheel-drive model now enjoys a higher max charging speed of 205 kW (instead of 155 kW on older models). The four-door is available in two trims, with the Long Range Single Motor model offers a maximum driving range of 515 km for $54,950. The Long Range Dual Motor model packs 421 hp and a maximum of 444 km of range for $62,950. Both are eligible for the federal rebate.

If those prices seem inflated over last year’s model, consider all of the extra standard equipment. The Single Motor model now includes blind spot monitoring with steering assistance, rear cross-traffic warning with automatic braking, parking sensors, a 360-degree camera system and auto-dimming door mirrors.

The Dual Motor models now include the Pilot Pack as standard equipment. This used to be a $4,700 option and adds more driver assistance aids to the vehicle such as adaptive cruise control, emergency stop assist, rear collision warning and mitigation, and LED front fog lights with a cornering function.

Volvo C40, XC40 and EX30

On the topic of Polestar, keep an eye on the closely related Volvo C40 and XC40. Volvo’s C40 and XC40 EVs use the same platform, batteries and motors as the Polestar 2 and have received similar updates for 2024 model-year vehicles.

Our sources say you should expect the C40 and XC40 to hit the market this fall. Both are eligible for the federal rebate.

In June, Volvo also unveiled the EX30. Billed as Volvo’s first small premium SUV, the car is so far only “selected markets,” Canada not included. However, a Volvo spokesperson told Electric Autonomy it expects to announce Canadian pricing and Canadian market details “after we get through summer, probably closer to the fall.”

So, stay tuned. We know the EX30 is coming, it’s just a question of when.

2024 Audi Q8 e-tron and Q8 Sportback e-tron

A new name is adorning a popular Audi EV as the crossovers previously known as just the e-tron and e-tron Sportback will now be known as the Q8 e-tron and Q8 Sportback e-tron.

Along with the new names, the EVs are powered by a new 114-kWh battery that allows drivers to go the extra mile. The old 95 kWh packs offered a maximum driving range of 364 km for the e-tron and 362 km for the e-tron Sportback, but the bigger batteries for 2024 deliver 459 km on the Q8 e-tron and 476 km for the Q8 Sportback e-tron, which are huge improvements.

And with better range comes faster charging speeds. The Q8 e-tron can now draw 170 kW from a Level 3 charger. As a bonus, buyers of the Audi Q8 e-tron receive four years (or 1,400 kWh) complimentary DC fast charging via Electrify Canada.

The 2024 Q8 e-tron also features some packaging changes that allow for slightly more cargo space than the 2023 model.

The Q8 e-tron carries an MSRP of $95,950, while the Q8 Sportback e-tron is a bit more expensive at $99,250. Neither is eligible for a federal rebate.

2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6

If you’re getting tired of all the crossover and hatchback-bodied EVs out there, then Hyundai is on the scene to sweep you off your feet with the Ioniq 6. This uniquely styled sedan features much of the same running gear as the Ioniq 5, but in a sedan body. It’s certainly eye-catching on the road thanks to its swoopy profile, but beneath the surface lies a formidable EV that supports charging speeds up to 350 kW.

Both versions of the Ioniq 6 feature a 77.4 kWh battery, but the Long Range model has only one 225 hp electric motor motivating the rear wheels. As a result, it takes 7.6 seconds to reach highway speeds from a standstill but can travel up to 581 km on a single charge. The all-wheel-drive model features 320 hp and sprints from 0-100 km/h in 5.1 seconds, but manages a maximum of 509 km of range.

The AWD model does offer a few niceties over the entry-level model: ambient lighting, upgraded seating surfaces, heated rear seats and vented front seats, a Bose-branded sound system and an automatic remote parking system. The entry-level rear-wheel-drive model has an MSRP of $54,999, while the AWD model is $57,999. Both are eligible for the federal rebate.

2023 VinFast VF8

After some lengthy delays, the 2023 VinFast VF 8 is finally here, with the first shipment of 1,879 vehicles landing in North America in mid-May. Of that batch, 781 were sent to Canada and the automaker is now delivering its vehicles to customers.

The crossover has been rated by Natural Resources Canada to deliver 425 km in Eco trim, and a maximum of 391 km of range in Plus trims. All models feature all-wheel-drive, though the Plus packs more power with 402 hp compared to the 349 hp in the Eco model.

Canadians can get their hands on the VinFast VF 8 Eco for $53,600, while the Plus costs $59,200. Both are eligible for the federal rebate.

Helping to reassure shoppers about the durability and longevity of the brand, VinFast includes a 10-year/200,000-km limited warranty and a 10-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty for the battery. Additionally, the automaker also includes mobile services and 24/7 roadside assistance during the 10-year warranty period.

Mercedes EQE and EQS

The EQE and EQS are not new products for Mercedes, but they deserve an honourable mention in the Q3 2023 EV tracker due to a software upgrade that is giving the vehicle a one second faster acceleration from 0-100km.

This is an on-demand over-the-air upgrade. Drivers wanting the faster acceleration can make a one-time payment for the lifetime of the vehicle or opt into a monthly subscription in Canada as of Q3 2023.

The upgrade is available through the Mercedes me Store and applies to EQE 350 4MATIC, EQS 450 4MATIC Sedan and SUV customers in North America.