CariCarz.com’s Top 6 New EV Launched In 2023

2023 proved to be a very positive year for EVs, particularly for sales and new models. Not only are EV sales expected to double last year’s 2,093 units figure, this market space also welcomed several interesting newcomers, all providing more options and alternatives for buyers to choose from.

After going through the long-list of new EVs launched this year, we’ve shortlisted SIX new EVs that proved to be eye-opening, each for different reasons. And yes, before you ask, we’ve intentionally omitted a certain American powerhouse – you know who – just to avoid being both cliched and predictable.

Without further ado, here are our top picks for which in no particular order…

1. BYD Dolphin

BYD took Malaysia by storm with partners Sime Darby Motors, and that’s despite launching itself very late in the final quarter of 2022. The brand’s momentum continued when its line-up expanded with the introduction of the BYD Dolphin in Aug.

Despite market trends leaning heavily towards crossover SUVs, BYD bravely introduced this Myvi-sized zero-emissions hatch to a market still filled with brave early adopters. This was a gamble that seems to have paid off well indeed.

Priced from only RM100,000, the BYD Dolphin is simply the best starter-EV you can buy today

The Dolphin doesn’t have the longest range, the largest space, or the quickest recharging abilities. However, its seemingly accessible RM100,000 price tag makes it a tempting offer, especially in the eyes of budding M40 urbanites seeking a stylish, tech-laden, and guilt-free urban daily driver.

2. smart #1

There was a lot of hype created for the smart #1 ahead of its launch. This was seconded only by a certain Sino-American marque that mustn’t be named. But once the cat was let out of the bag, it is safe to say that PRO-NET didn’t disappoint.

smart #1 Premium midspec (left) & smart #1 Brabus top-spec (right)

Arriving in three main variants – Pro, Premium, and Brabus – the smart #1 managed to punch above its weight (read: price). Even its most basic model gets a long-list of standard kit, let alone the top-specced Brabus variant.

For what its worth, the smart #1 is one of the best luxury EV crossover available in the market today

Hidden beneath its stylish Mercedes-designed facade is Geely’s proprietary SEA EV platform that it shares with several other notable EVs like the Volvo EX30, Polestar 4, and even the Lotus Eletre hyper-EV. If this tells you anything, the #1 rides on a very decent EV architecture, and this is reflected through both its decent performance and EV range.

And then, there are its prices. Tagged from RM189,000 to RM249,000, the smart #1 is indeed one of the best premium EV crossovers money can buy today. This is especially true given that most of its European adversaries are tagged closer to the RM300,000 mark. 

3. Lotus Eletre

Though some purists would see it as an abomination or a betrayal to the marque’s ethos, the Lotus Eletre is a pretty interesting proposition. This is especially true considering that the Eletre is not only Lotus’ first EV, but also its first and only tall-riding SUV to date.

With over 900 HP under its belt, the Eletre is simply one of the most powerful cars in the market today

On one hand, the Eletre is one of the most powerful cars in the world, thanks to its dual-motor AWD setup rated at a whopping 905 HP and 985 NM. This figure translates to a sub-3-second century sprint time of 2.95 seconds, as well as a capped V-max of 265 KM/H.

On the other hand, the Eletre is a pretty big and luxurious SUV, boasting abundance of space and creature comforts that provides a decent and comfortable ride on this land rocket. Granted, both of the Eletre’s qualities are the exact opposite of the ethos Colin Chapman himself laid out for Lotus.

Blasphemies aside, the Lotus Eletre is one of the most polarising EVs that came ashore into our market this year. With prices ranging from RM698,000 to RM838,000, it’s also one of the ‘cheapest’ EVs with hypercar-level performance that money can buy, so long as you don’t mind purists screaming down your ears.

4. Audi e-tron GT 

While the Porsche Taycan has ruled the performance EV segment for years, House Stuttgart’s Leipzig-built electric steed has finally got something to sweat about. And ironically, it came in the form of its Audi-badged twin from Ingolstadt.

Audi RS e-tron GT (left) & Audi e-tron GT Quattro (right)

The Audi e-tron GT is undeniably one of the coolest EVs to enter our market this year, so cool that even Tony Stark or Iron Man himself actually ‘drove’ one. While both cars’ performance somewhat mirror each other, the four-ringed marque’s EV offers a different styling twist to the sleek four-door GT format.

Unlike the Taycan, Audi has just two flavours of the e-tron GT – standard e-tron GT Quattro and RS e-tron GT performance flagship. Regardless of variant, the e-tron GT serves as a great alternative to Stuttgart’s benevolent electric steed, especially at its relatively-similar price range between RM597,990 and RM787,990.

5. BMW i5

BMW Malaysia’s decision to introduce the eighth-gen 5 Series in electric form first was indeed a surprise. The rapid timeline at introducing the BMW i5 locally last month in contrast to how long the flagship i7 took to launch was another surprise too.

Considering the stellar performance of its sleeker i4 sibling, we expect many great things from the BMW i5

It’s still too early to tell just how well i5 fares in our market, but insider sources have hinted that initial reception has been sensational. This is indeed a triumph for the Bavarian marque’s Malaysian arm, more so given it launched the i5 after a certain nameless Sino-American rivalling powerhouse had set up shop too.

Having sampled the smaller but arguably sleeker i4 sibling, this promises to be yet another Bavarian ICE-breaker that should be seriously looked at, especially if you’re the type who savours sheer driving pleasures.

6. Rolls-Royce Spectre

Need a sign that the times have changed? Rolls-Royce has embraced electric power! And the renowned British luxury automaker’s first foray into this space couldn’t be any more attractively-styled and -named – Spectre.

This is perhaps one brand that couldn’t have gotten its transition to electric power wrong. It just makes sense given how said zero-emission propulsion only adds to the luxurious refinement meticulously crafted into all its creations. Wouldn’t you agree?

Simply put, the Spectre is the most luxurious and extravagant EV in our market today

Locally, the Spectre’s launch couldn't have come at a better time. The government incentives and tax breaks for fully imported EVs lasting until the end of 2025 sees the Spectre stand as quite the bargain as far as any Rolls-Royce offerings go – something we’d never thought possible.

Battery size? Range? Charging time? For the fortunate elites with galactic bank accounts that enable them to commission one, or a few, these are but irrelevant concerns now. Simply put, if you wanted to make a real statement through an EV, there’s now a Rolls-Royce option for that too.