EV makers have taken a methodical start to 2024, with a handful of promised new models delivering but no big announcements for new vehicles — yet

A new year means new EVs, right? Well, kind of.

The electric vehicle landscape is constantly shifting. Recently, automakers like Ford, GM and Volkswagen have slowed production or increased prices of many popular EVs. While that sounds dire, many automakers are still planning to release more new — and cheaper — models by the end of the year.

For the first quarter of 2024, EV buyers can find new vehicles and refreshed models from established names like Chevy, Nissan and Hyundai. There are even a few new names entering the fold early this year, such as Fisker with its Ocean SUV.

Some EVs have been refined in 2024, with easier to understand pricing structures and updated designs to make them stand out.

Let us see what you can expect to find during your new EV search in early 2024.

2024 Hyundai Kona EV

The updated 2024 Hyundai Kona EV has arrived in showrooms with a fresh look. Many changes for the Kona seem superficial, as the vehicle still packs a 150 kW electric motor and a 64 kWh battery, similar to the outgoing 2023 model. But it rides on a new, longer chassis which translates to more interior space. To further optimize rear seat space, the front seats are 30 per cent thinner.

The Kona also receives a huge boost in cargo space. There are 723 litres of storage behind the rear seats expanding to 1,803 litres when those seats are folded down. Both measurements are massive improvements from the outgoing model, which offered 544L and 1,296L.

In regards to the vehicle’s electric powertrain, things are marginally improved. The new model features 420 kilometres of range on a full charge; which is just five more kms than the 2023 edition. Another slight improvement this year includes 400-volt fast-charging support, allowing the Kona EV to recharge from 10-80 percent in about 43 minutes, which is four minutes faster than before.

While those changes seem minute, the Kona EV also packs more features than the outgoing model, with even entry-level models getting a bigger touchscreen infotainment system measuring 12.3 inches compared to 10.25 before. There’s also a standard 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster. Furthermore, the Kona EV offers a nifty digital key feature, which allows you to use your phone as a key. The Ultimate trim also includes a fancy head-up display and wireless phone charger.

The Kona EV is slightly more expensive than before, with a starting price of $46,399 for the entry-level Preferred model. The top trim Ultimate model is $51,199. While both models are subject to a $1,925 freight and PDI fee, they are eligible for a federal rebate, which helps it fit into a tight budget.

2024 Fisker Ocean

According to forum and social media posts along with the brand’s official press release, Canadian customers are receiving their 2024 Fisker Ocean deliveries after waiting patiently throughout 2023 for their orders to come through. The Fisker Ocean is a mid-size SUV that starts at $45,999 for the entry-level Sport. The Sport features a front-wheel-drive train and can travel 312 to 372 km on a single charge, depending on equipment.

The automaker also offers two more powerful, all-wheel-drive and longer-range models, including the $67,999 Ultra, which should travel 563 km according to Natural Resources Canada, and the $79,799 Extreme, which can manage 579 km on a single charge.

All models feature a slick-looking 17-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a sunroof, a digital rearview mirror and support DC Fast Charging to quickly recharge the battery from 10-80 percent in just under 35 minutes.

2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV

According to GM, the Blazer EV should be in dealer showrooms by the end of Q1 2024. This is coming after a pause on new deliveries. The pause came after a number of complaints of buggy and frustrating experiences by the media and customers. Hopefully the automaker has refined the vehicle through software updates to avoid more of these complaints.

The Blazer EV currently comes in two trims, LT and RS, and two drivetrains: an available rear-wheel-drive for RS models and standard all-wheel-drive for LT and RS models.

The AWD LT starts at $63,330, while the RS model is $73,330. The AWD models offer 449 km of range along with 288 horsepower and 333 pound-feet of torque. The RWD models have a 340-hp and 325-lb-ft motor while delivering 521 km of range. 

The extra spicy SS model, with 557 hp and 648 lb-ft of torque, is expected to arrive in the spring of 2024, assuming the Blazer EV doesn’t see any more delivery delays or setbacks.

2024 Nissan Ariya

The 2024 Nissan Ariya has also arrived in Canadian showrooms, along with a revised lineup of trims and pricing. The EV maintains its starting price of $52,998 for the front-wheel-drive Engage model, but the cheapest AWD model, the $59,998 Evolve e-4orce, is $600 cheaper than the 2023 model. Furthermore, at $62,998, the Evolve+ FWD model is $2,000 cheaper than before, while adding AWD to this trim is $2,000. The fully loaded Evolve+ e-4ORCE with the Platinum+ Package is $69,998, which matches the outgoing Premiere model.

Reducing the number of trims from six to four could help make the Ariya easier to understand for Canadian buyers, who may have been overwhelmed by all the options last year. Despite the changes in pricing and available trims, the 2024 Ariya is mechanically identical to the last one, offering between 214 to 389 horsepower and 330 to 465 km of range.

EV news coming soon

Stellantis has been steadily sharing news about its upcoming EVs and tells Electric Autonomy Canada that Canadian news on the 2024 Fiat 500e is forthcoming. Mercedes also told us that the new EQB should be available in showrooms in Q2 2024.

And Canadians watching the American Cybertruck deliveries with envy may have to wait longer. According to comments made during Tesla’s Q4 2023 earnings call, Canadian deliveries may still be far off, with some analysts suggesting it could be 2025 before we see the electric truck in our driveways.

However, the Cybertruck is touring through the national auto shows. Tesla had it on display in a booth in Montreal earlier this month and it will be in Toronto in February. So, at least customers on the waiting list will have a chance to see what they’ve put a deposit on.

Finally, Honda is bringing its 2024/2025 all-electric Prologue SUV line (trim levels include EX, EX-L and Touring) to Canada on a staggered timeline, they say, by late spring. But the Japanese automaker cautions that quantities are limited and the vehicles will only be available in British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec, to start.

The Prologue will be available in Atlantic Canada and the Prairies in 2026.

The vehicle gets an estimated range between 439-452 km from a 85 kWh battery and pricing starts at $59,990.

And, finally, orders are open for the all-electric 2024 Porsche Macan 4 and Macan Turbo. Canadian pricing for the Macan 4 starts at $99,300, while the Macan Turbo begins at $125,300.

The vehicles can charge up to 270 kW and go from 10 to 80 percent in approximately 21 minutes. Porsche says deliveries are expected to begin in the second half of the year.