The 10 best EVs for the school run: From MG to Porsche

There’s never been a better time to consider an electric car or SUV for the school run – and here are the 10 best EVs for school duties.

Millions of Australian kids went back to school this week.

After weeks of beach time and relaxation, the crush of the school rush has kicked off in earnest, thick with traffic jams and frustrated parents.

So it’s the perfect time to consider which car is best for the school run.

Many people use diesel-powered SUVs for what is often a short grind through suburban streets. They’re the sort of cars tailor made for the Simpson Desert or Cape York, but can be hugely compromised in major centres.

They tend to be ponderous and thirsty, plus by doing repeated short trips in modern diesels you risk clogging particulate filters that are a crucial component of the exhaust system.

Petrol-powered SUVs can also be thirsty around town in the stop-start of city driving. And did you know that in the first kilometre or two of driving your car can use up to double the usual amount of fuel as the computer calls for more fuel to get everything up to its optimum operating temperature?

No such issues with an electric car.

In fact EVs make perfect sense for the school run.

In most cases it’s a short trip and many families will have two cars in the garage.

Making one an electric option makes plenty of sense, both from an environmental perspective and for lowering running costs.

We’ve previously pointed out that 2021 is shaping up to be a great year to consider an EV, with more than 30 new electrified arrivals.

But even now there are some great options.

Here’s our pick of the best EVs and PHEVs for dropping the kids at school.

More EVs to come…

Don’t see what you like here? Check out our comprehensive list of every new EV and PHEV coming to Australia in 2021 as well as our EV calendar looking at all the new EVs due in coming years.

Audi e-Tron

The e-Tron is the most convincing of the luxury EV SUVs and comes in the choice of two outputs, the punchier 55 model also getting a better driving range. Slick and practical, this lavishly appointed EV takes advantage of clever placement of the batteries and electric motors to create a surprisingly spacious cabin. Great driving dynamics and

Price: From $137,100, plus on-road costs

Realistic range: 270km-plus

Best bits: One of the best-driving electric SUVs; quality presentation

Read our full review of the Audi e-Tron.

Jaguar I-Pace

The first of the luxury Tesla rivals, the I-Pace still makes for an excellent driver’s car, something helped by having lots of space between the wheels. Performance is snappy and the cabin generally airy and upmarket, although kids in the rear may not appreciate the high-ish windowline.

Price: From $128,248, plus on-road costs (although you’ll want to splash out on some options!)

Realistic range: 365km

Best bits: modern design, including an innovative bonnet with a giant vent in it; comfy ride on optional air suspension

Read our full review of the Jaguar I-Pace.

MG ZS EV

For now Chinese-owned brand MG’s ZS EV is the most affordable pure electric car on the market, which clearly has some appeal. The compact SUV is spacious enough for small families and comes with a generous smattering of equipment, even though some of the finishes lack the finer details some may expect at this price. It does its best work in the suburbs with less flair on a country road.

Price: $43,990 drive-away

Realistic range: 230km

Best bits: the price; city-friendly size

Read our full review of the MG ZS EV.

Volvo XC40 Recharge PHEV

The XC40 is a hot seller with good reason, and while it’s officially a compact SUV there’s plenty of space for two-kid families. As the Recharge PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle) it loses none of that practicality but gains a hearty three-cylinder turbo hooked up to an electric motor for positively zippy performance.

Price: From $64,990, plus on-road costs

Realistic range: 40km on electricity, but petrol back-up

Best bits: Characterful 3-cylinder PHEV system; spacious by small SUV standards

Read our full review of the Volvo XC40 Recharge PHEV.

Mercedes-Benz GLC300e

The GLC300e is proving popular with buyers – and with good reason. While it used to be only a few grand more expensive than the GLC300 (non-hybrid), the GLC300e (plug in hybrid) is now $4800 more. However, it adds air suspension, which turns sub-standard suspension into something better controlled and more comfortable. Driven only on electricity it’ll do about 35km before reverting to the punchy 2.0 turbo, which also provides more grunt. A classy cabin and solid safety credentials cement its school run credentials.

Price: From $86,300, plus on-road costs

Realistic range: 35km on electricity, but petrol back-up

Best bits: Classy cabin; comfortable and competent dynamics

Tesla Model 3

The most affordable Tesla is also the most convincing, in part because it has plenty of that electric goodness in a well though-out package. The Model 3 is also great to drive, with excellent performance and dynamics. What it lacks in interior sizzle it makes up for with tech trinkets, including an all-encompassing centre screen that kids love thanks to the inbuilt games and fart sounds.

Price: From $72,000 drive-away, plus $14,000 for “full-self driving” software

Realistic range: 500km

Best bits: Performance and EV range; fun elements to infotainment

Read our full review of the Tesla Model 3 and see the details of the recent Model 3 update. You can also see what our two child testers thought of the Model 3.

Mercedes-Benz EQC

It’s not cheap but it does come lavishly appointed and looks a bit more futuristic than the GLC mid-sized SUV it shares much of its body with. The EQC also has some good all-wheel drive cleverness and plenty of pep to ensure easy around-town running and enough range for weekend getaways.

Price: From $139,700, plus on-road costs

Realistic range: 350km

Best bits: Comfortable ride; elegant interior

Read our full review of the Mercedes-Benz EQC 400.

Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

One of the first plug-in hybrids on sale in Australia is these days the most popular, in part because it plays in the on-fire mid-sized SUV category. The 2.4-litre engine matched to two electric motors provide thoroughly respectable performance, and even on electricity alone it’s fine in the suburbs. Suspension dynamics could do with work, although the sportier GSR model partially solves that. It was also the first EV in the country able to feed electricity back into the grid, plus you can DC fast charge it.

Price: From $51,990 drive-away

Realistic range: 45km on electricity, but petrol back-up

Best bits: Practical SUV size; vehicle-to-grid capability

Read our full review of the Mitsubishi Outlander GSR PHEV and also how it stood up to a week of family duties.

Hyundai Ioniq Electric

The soon-to-be-updated Kona is the top-selling EV from Hyundai – the company with a broad selection of electrified models – but the Ioniq is the most affordable, priced from $48,990. That’s why it makes this shortlist. While it’s available as a regular hybrid and a plug-in hybrid it’s the Electric that is the most popular of the Ioniqs. It’s basic stuff and has a realistic range of a bit over 200km, but that’s plenty for suburban duties.

Price: From $48,990, plus on-road costs

Realistic range: 220km on electricity, but petrol back-up

Best bits: EV affordability; practical size

Read our full review of the Hyundai Ioniq Electric.

Porsche Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid

OK, so not everyone needs 404kW for the two-kilometre dash to the school gate (truth be told absolutely no one needs it…), but there’s nothing like indulgence. And Porsche has an eco option. As Porsche’s flagship plug-in hybrid for the Cayenne lineup, the Turbo S E-Hybrid brings lashings of Porsche goodness, including the ability to engage launch control and hit 100km/h in 3.8 seconds. Progress under electricity alone is more leisurely (the electric motor makes 100kW) but thoroughly respectable for suburban duties. And with the biggest brakes on any production car there’s loads more to the Porsche PHEV story.

Price: From $292,200, plus on-road costs

Realistic range: 40km on electricity, but petrol back-up

Best bits: Explosive acceleration with V8 accompaniment; immense cornering grip and braking power

Read our full review of the Porsche Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid