Volkswagen ID.3 electric car arrives in Australia, not due in showrooms until 2024

The Volkswagen ID.3 electric hatchback has been spotted on the streets of Sydney – on the back of a truck.

The vehicle was photographed by an eagle-eyed reader near Volkswagen's Sydney headquarters.

It appears to have been sourced from Volkswagen New Zealand, given it is wearing NZ registration plates and has the manufacturer's registration plate frame.

Although the ID.3 was the first modern-era dedicated electric car unveiled by Volkswagen globally – and the first in its ID electric range – the German brand will likely be beaten to the Australian market by the Cupra version of the same car.

The Volkswagen-owned Cupra brand has had four Cupra Born test cars in Australia since late last year.

With the backing of the global boss of Cupra, and the Cupra Born has been fast-tracked for Australia and is due in showrooms early next year – overtaking the VW ID.3 in the process.

The Volkswagen ID.3 is the most affordable new-generation electric car in its burgeoning ID range – though it's not the most affordable electric VW available globally, with that title held by the e-Up city car sold in Europe.

Pricing for the Volkswagen ID.3 and and the Cupra Born are yet to be announced.

However, Drive understands both brands are targeting a price range of $50,000 to $65,000, undercutting the Tesla Model 3 in the process.

Meantime, Volkswagen is on track to launch the ID.4 and ID.5 mid-size electric SUVs in Australia in 2023, with the ID.3 to follow some time in 2024.