Articles by Tim Gibson

Chery’s groundbreaking solid-state battery with 1500km of driving range is edging closer to production, according to reports out of China.Solid-state is seen as a game-changing upgrade for electric vehicles, making range anxiety a relic of history. By using a solid material to transfer power, it can store substantially more energy than conventional batteries. The brand recently confirmed its solid-state plans, aiming to deploy the technology this year in limited operational scenarios before broader commercialisation. It is targeting mass-market availability of the battery next year. More details are likely to be revealed about the battery at Chery’s upcoming ‘Battery Night’ in China. This could include confirmation of important information such as battery capacity and charging architecture.It has previously been reported Chery’s solid-state battery has an energy density of 600Wh/kg, which is far greater than conventional batteries. This enables superior driving range, with the battery offering 1500km. It can perform reliably in temperatures as low as minus-30 degrees. This battery will feature on Chery’s high-end sub-brand Exeed with its Liefeng shooting brake model. We also know the car will have super fast charging through its 800-volt platform and can shift from 0-100km/h in less than three seconds, maxing out at 260km/h.Chery has been boasting of its solid-state battery developments for some time now.Exeed was thought to be launching its ES8 with a solid-state battery for the first time later this year, expected to have a driving range of 1000km. The Exeed brand is something that could be on the cards for Australia, with local Chief Operating Officer Lucas Harris eager to see it Down Under.“I really like the Exeed product, and I think they make some, you know, really cool, really high end, actual luxury specification vehicles. If I could make a wish tomorrow and it would come true, that would probably be what I would ask for," Harris told CarsGuide this year.Chery’s announcement comes after rival Chinese brand BYD said it would have small-batch production for its solid-state battery ready some time next year, but there are no specification details available yet. Many other brands are also investing into solid-state, with 2027 looking like a breakthrough year for the technology, as CATL, SAIC and Toyota all prepare for production. It is unclear at this stage whether solid-state batteries will be the future of electric vehicles, but this upcoming announcement could provide an insight into its potential.

Fuel prices in Australia are soaring, meaning fuel efficiency in vehicles is a more important consideration than ever. Hybrid cars offer the potential for superior fuel efficiency compared to internal combustion power without the big price premium if fully electric or plug-in hybrid options. This makes them an increasingly attractive option for buyers given the current global climate. Hybrid sales are already booming in Australia, but will increases in fuel prices accelerate the shift away from pure internal combustion cars? NRMA spokesperson Peter Khoury said that while hybrid sales are increasing, an even swifter transition is less than clear. “If you’re driving a standard vehicle with a 55-litre tank, compared to what we were paying before the war began to now, it’s a $45 increase on one tank of petrol. That applies regardless of whether it’s hybrid or petrol,” Khoury said. “Historically speaking, looking at what happens after an oil shock, it certainly opens up their consideration. “No doubt that if this crisis continues and these prices hang around for weeks or months, Australians will look at those alternatives more seriously.” Below is a comparison between popular petrol and hybrid choices in each segment to see how they stack up in a changing fuel context. Fuel cost has been calculated using current data from the New South Wales’ government’s average fuel price for unleaded 95 petrol and diesel. Toyota’s Corolla hybrid hatch offers superior fuel efficiency and driving range compared to the Kia K4 petrol model. The Corolla is also cheaper to fill up with fuel thanks to its smaller tank and offers a substantially bigger driving range. The Kia Seltos is a petrol-only variant, but despite its bigger fuel tank, it has less driving range than the Toyota Corolla Cross, courtesy of the hybrid powertrain. The bigger fuel tank means the Seltos is also more expensive to fill up. The mid-size CX-5 has a non-turbo charged petrol engine, which sees it offer an impressive estimated driving range of more than 800km, but once again the Toyota competitor’s fuel efficiency wins out in the RAV4 hybrid. The Toyota Kluger continues the Japanese juggernaut’s fuel efficient theme, with a hybrid set-up offering a driving range of more than 1122km, which is significantly more than the MQ QS, despite both cars costing a similar amount to fill up at the bowser. Utes are some of the worst affected by the fuel price increase as many of them are powered using diesel engines, with diesel fuel rising more than petrol. It has now risen to well beyond the $2.60 mark per litre. The BYD Shark’s plug-in hybrid set-up uses petrol, which makes it an affordable option, given the price of diesel. It should be noted that the Shark 6’s fuel efficiency is significantly reduced when the battery is not charged. It’s a similar story for the GWM Cannon Alpha, which should be noted is no longer on sale, but remains one of limited plug-less hybrid utes in Australia. 

Geely sub-brand Farizon has confirmed its new V7E electric van will launch in Australia this year.Few details have been revealed about the van at this stage, but variant specifications and pricing will be announced next month, deliveries beginning in May.It will join an increasingly busy electric van segment, with the likes of the Kia PV5 launching mid-year, along with the Ford E-Transit Custom, LDV eDeliver 7 and Volkswagen ID. Buzz Cargo, which are already in Australia.Pricing for these electric vans sits in the $60K-$70K bracket, so expect Farizon’s latest edition to be in a similar range. It has a lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery made by CATL, the world’s largest battery manufacturer, with a driving range of 330km. This is more driving range than the rivalling E-Transit Custom at 307km. The van will come with a 1300kg payload, which is more than the E-Transit Custom, but similar to the LDV eDeliver 7. It also has a cargo volume of 6.95 cubic metres.It is said to boast a generous internal load length and a low rear loading height.Farizon launched in Australia through distributor Jameel Motors in 2025, with its SuperVan electric van, which comes in short-wheel and long-wheel base variants, starting from $71,490 (before on-roads).It is powered by a single electric motor, producing 170kW and 336Nm, with its 83kWh battery offering 376km of driving range. There have been more electric vans launching in Australia over the past few years as the segment begins to move away from diesel alternatives. Diesel vans remain the popular choice for buyers, with the Toyota HiAce the dominant option, with more than 11,000 sales in 2025. 

The hybrid version of Honda’s CR-V family SUV is now $10,000 cheaper, thanks to a reshuffled line-up in Australia.The CR-V e:HEV hybrid is now available from $49,900 drive-away, having previously only been available in the range-topping RS variant of the SUV. These cheaper hybrid grades are front-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive still only available at the top of the range.This cheaper base hybrid pricing for the CR-V means it is now more price competitive with a comparative front-wheel drive Toyota RAV4, with a starting price of $45,990 (before on-road costs).The RAV4 dominates the medium hybrid SUV segment as one of the best-selling cars in Australia, with the CR-V one of many rivals chasing its tail.While hybrid CR-V variants have become more affordable, petrol units have seen an increase in price as a result of the range reshuffle.The cheapest CR-V, the VTi X, now starts from $44,900 (drive-away) when it used to start from $41,900 - a $3000 increase - with the seven-seat variant up $2600 to $47,300.The next grade up, the CR-V VTi L7, has also seen a price jump and now from $54,900 (drive-away).The rivalling petrol-only Mazda CX-5 has become an even more affordable alternative, starting from under $40K (before on-roads).Range-topping RS hybrid pricing now starts from $64,400, up from $59,900 (drive-away). 2026 Honda CR-V pricing Australia These changes reflect a shrinking of the line-up for the CR-V in Australia, with the brand cutting some of its petrol variants to replace them with hybrid alternatives.The CR-V hybrid has a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol plugless hybrid set-up, producing 135kW and 335Nm, which is a similar power output to the RAV4, while petrol grades get a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine producing 140kW and 240Nm.The CR-V is Honda’s best-selling car in Australia, accounting for a significant proportion of the brand’s sales ahead of other favourites such as the Civic sedan and HR-V and ZR-V SUVs.

Buyers are abandoning their supposed skepticism of Chinese carmakers, with affordability proving a key factor in buying decision-making. According to The Next Gear - Australia in Motion data from Gumtree Group (owner of CarsGuide), which surveyed more than 4000 prospective car buyers, 57 per cent of respondents said the country of origin for a car is an important factor in the purchasing process.Further, 42 per cent of respondents said they were unlikely to consider buying a vehicle from a brand originating in China. Unlikelihood to consider buying car from brand originating in following countries Sales data tells a different story. For February 2026 sales, China became the biggest country of origin for new-car sales in Australia. Gumtree Group's data also shows 11 Chinese-owned brands appear in Australian consideration sets. Brands BYD, GWM and Chery were all in the top 10 best-selling carmakers for February 2026, combining for nearly 15,000 sales for the month. China overtook Japan, which 71 per cent of respondents said they would likely consider buying a vehicle with that country of origin. China’s dominance in Australia is only going to increase from here, with many manufacturers offering budget EV options in a market where EVs are increasing of interest to buyers. Mainstream car makers are also starting to shift production across to China, either re-badging Chinese cars or manufacturing cars there.This offers brands the potential to build for and import cars to Australia cheaper, enabling more competitive prices. For example, the highly-anticipated Mazda 6e launching soon in Australia, is a re-skinned version of the Deepal L07, while many of Tesla’s popular EVs are built in China. This comparative cheapness is driving buyers to abandon their brand origin preference.Chinese-made cars are among some of the cheapest on the market, especially in the EV space, such as BYD’s Atto 1, Atto 2 and Dolphin, which are three cheapest new EVs in Australia. It is a similar story for internal combustion powered cars, with the MG3 currently available for under $20K as one example.

Electric vehicle sales in Australia are booming, but not in the locations where you might expect them to be.There has been new insight into where Aussies are buying EVs in Australia from the National Automotive Leasing and Salary Packaging Association (NALSPA).NALSPA’s data shows where EVs are being purchased using a novated lease and the Electric Car Discount (ECD).Range anxiety is often quoted as one of the major roadblocks to the uptake on EVs in Australia. This data suggests it might not play on people's minds to the extent previously thought.Many of the suburbs on the list are not immediately located in the city centres, but further out.The top two postcodes are both on the outskirts of Melbourne in Victoria, around 25-30km away from the CBD.Next up on the list are two postcodes from the west of Sydney, before a rural area in the ACT.The outskirt city theme continues down the list, with a postcode roughly 30km from Brisbane, Queensland, followed by another outer Melbourne postcode.Rounding out the list is a postcode in the greater Western Sydney area, along with NSW/ACT border town Queanbeyan and a postcode around 10km away from Canberra’s centre.This point outer metro residents searching for some respite from high fuel costs from their long commutes and they have access to roof top solar power.Top 10 postcodes for electric vehicles using novated leasing and EDCThe ECD waives the Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT). The incentive applies to new battery-electric vehicles, up to a total cost of $89,332.NALSPA Chief Executive Officer Rohan Martin said the data demonstrates the importance of the ECD, especially to people living outside of the major cities. “Australians living in the outer suburbs often face longer commutes and are more likely to have access to rooftop solar and off-street parking so switching to EVs with the help of the FBT exemption is a smart cost-of-living and green choice for them, especially during the ongoing cost-of-living crunch,” Martin said. “We cannot increase EV uptake further, especially during this early adoption phase, without continued targeted demand-side incentives - that's the stark reality. The EV Discount is more than proving its worth but there is still much heavy lifting to be done.”This news comes after the federal government announced a statutory review in the EDC last year, with rumours the whole scheme could be pulled. Costs for the scheme have increased significantly beyond original forecasts, with it costing $1.35 billion last financial year. There is potential for these costs to blow out further as EVs become a more attractive option for buyers with petrol and diesel fuels soaring up in price, along with increasingly scarce availability.

Solid-state is often viewed as the holy grail of electric-vehicle battery technology.It promises to offer unprecedented driving ranges, faster charging and a safer overall set-up. Solid-state differs from other more conventional EV batteries because it uses a solid mechanism to transfer energy. Conventional batteries, such as lithium-iron, often contain a gel or liquid electrolyte to do so.It enables far greater energy density than other batteries.With the technology developing and brands edging closer to production, here is a look at some of the latest developments.CheryChery appears to be the brand with the most advanced solid-state strategy, having already announced two models which will feature the technology.The first was announced in December 2025, called the Exeed ES8, with its solid-state battery having a drive range of 1000km. It is scheduled to launch this year in China.More details were recently revealed about Chery’s second model, the Exeed Liefeng, with its Rhino S solid-state battery packing 600Wh per kilogram, bumping up the driving range of 1500km.While the Exeed brand name remains a China-exclusive premium arm of Chery, there is potential for it to make its way to Australia. Chery Australia COO Lucas Harris said he wants to have Exeed models Down Under. “I really like the Exeed product, and I think they make some really cool, really high end, actual luxury specification vehicles,” Harris told CarsGuide. “If I could make a wish tomorrow and it would come true, that would probably be what I would ask for.”BYDBYD is another brand considering solid-state batteries.In early February, it was reported the brand was targeting small-batch production of its batteries by 2027.There are limited other details on BYD’s solid-state battery, with no vehicles confirmed to be installed with it. It is expected it will use an oxide-based chemistry which is viewed as having greater commercial viability than sulphide electrolytes. This is down to easier manufacturing and benefits such as faster and safer charging. FAWFAW (First Auto Works - one of the oldest car manufacturers in China) has taken a different approach to solid-state, with its ‘hybrid’ solid-state battery. This is not to be confused with a traditional internal-combustion and electric-motor set-up. Hybrid refers to the make-up of the battery itself. As mentioned above, most solid-state batteries have a mechanical separator that has liquid qualities.FAW’s battery is different, because the mechanical separator substance is a slurry, meaning it is semi solid-state. The battery has a capacity of 142kWh, with an energy side of 500Wh per kilogram and a driving range of more than 1000km.The brand has installed this battery into a car, but there is no news on potential full-scale production.Mercedes-BenzMercedes-Benz unveiled a prototype solid-state powered version of its EQS sedan in September 2025, which travelled 1205km on a single charge.The car completed a journey from Stuttgart in Germany to Malmo in Sweden without a charging stop, and still had more than 130km of range left when it arrived.Chief Technology Officer Markus Schafer said Mercedes-Benz is targeting production of the battery by 2030. “Our goal is to bring innovations like this into series production by the end of the decade and offer our customers a new level of range and comfort,” Schafer said in a statement.SAICSAIC is another manufacturer targeting a 2027 launch date for its solid-state battery.It has reportedly completed its production line, with sample production beginning late last year.SAIC has stated the battery will have an energy density of 400Wh per kilogram.There is no news yet on whether the battery has been fitted to a car yet or when we might see go into full production.SAIC-owned MG has fitted a semi solid-state battery to its new-generation MG4 in China, but we are unlikely to see it in Australia.ToyotaToyota is aiming to launch a car with a solid-state battery in 2027-2028.The brand has teamed up with mining company Sumitomo Metal Mining to mass produce solid-state battery components.The partnership will produce cathode material needed to make the batteries.Toyota first announced its solid-state plans in 2021, but has not yet produced a prototype.CATLCATL is the world's biggest electric car battery maker, and is expected to have small scale production of its solid-state batteries in 2027.The battery is sulfide-based and its energy density is 500Wh per kilogram.Large scale production is not anticipated until 2030.ConclusionWhile brands, particularly from China, are stepping up their push towards solid-state batteries, it remains a technology in its infancy. There is still substantial opposition to the technology, including from some of the world’s largest automakers such as General Motors (GM). Other battery technologies are also showing promise, which could spell challenges for the development of solid-state.GM has been investigating the potential of silicon alternatives. Silicon graphite blend batteries store more lithium ions to achieve greater battery density, and is rumoured to be closer to commercialisation than solid-state.In addition to BYD's solid-state initiatives, the carmaker recently unveiled its all-electric Denza Z9 GT with 1036km of driving range. It uses a traditional 122kWh lithium-iron-phosphate battery, which might be on its way to Australia.It should be noted that this figure was established using lenient CLTC testing as opposed to more stringent methods such as WLTP.Solid-state remains an exciting future technology in the EV space but, development and production expenses, other battery solutions and technology improvements mean it is still up in the air as to whether we will see it on a commercial scale.

The Zeekr 7X has been given some sharp new design elements as part of a special edition upgrade for the premium electric mid-size SUV in Australia. The ‘Black Special Edition’ 7X starts from $75,900 (before on-road costs), which is a $3000 increase on the most expensive Performance all-wheel drive variant.The car gets some major exterior changes, including a gloss black body paint, differing from the Performance grade's ‘Onyx’ black as well as green, blue, grey and white body colour options. The gloss black finish continues elsewhere on the car, including front and rear lower bumpers, lower door exterior trims finished and roof rails. It rides on 20-inch alloy wheels and gets a 7X black badge on the rear of the car. On the inside, there is Black Nappa leather interior trim, contrasting the white trim usually found on the top-grade model. Zeekr has introduced this car off the back of sustained demand from buyers for a darker and more bold overall design on the 7X.Performance-wise, the car keeps the same figures as the range-topping 7X, which has 475kW and 710Nm, with the 0-100km/h sprint taking 3.8 seconds. The 7X has had a blistering start to its life in Australia with more than 1000 sales in 2026, catapulting it one of the best selling EVs in the country. It also earned the 2026 CarsGuide Car of the Year Best Medium SUV under $60K, up against regular favourites such as the Toyota RAV4. Despite its solid sales so far, its key rival the Tesla Model Y has sold more than 4000 units in 2026This new range-topping 7X, however, is still cheaper than the comparable Model Y, which starts from $89,400, before on-roads. The Sealion 7 remains the budget pick of the segment, with a price of $63,990, it has amassed 1327 sales so far this year.2026 Zeekr 7X pricing Australia  

Mercedes-Benz has unveiled its VLE luxury people mover, as it seeks to fight back against Chinese rivals in the segment.Several major Chinese brands have recently unveiled their next-generation luxury people movers, some of which will end up in Australia.BYD’s luxury arm Denza has recently introduced its D9 electric people mover to battle the Zeekr 009, while the XPeng X9 is also scheduled for a launch some time this year.The Zeekr 009 has paved the way for more luxury electric people movers to enter the Aussie market, with the trend catching on to some of the segment favourites.An electric version of the Hyundai Staria is on the cards for Australia, as it looks to hunt down the runaway leader of the segment, the petrol and hybrid-powered Kia Carnival.Mercedes-Benz has not provided a firm arrival date for the car, but it is featured on the brand's Australian website, which could indicate the people mover is under consideration.A spokesperson for Mercedes-Benz Australia said the VLE is yet to be confirmed for a domestic launch.Considering the price of its rivals, expect a price tag well north of $100K.The brand already offers its diesel V-Class and electric EQV and eVito Tourer people movers Down Under.Like many of these people movers, the VLE gets the latest in lavish luxury equipment.It will come in six- and eight-seat configurations, with electric seat adjustability.There is a 14.0-inch central touchscreen display, along with a 14.0-inch front passenger display and 10.25-inch digital driver display.To add to the glamour, rear passengers get a retractable 31.3-inch screen, which can be used to stream videos or play computer games.There will be two electric motor set-ups available on the VLE.The single-motor variant produces 203kW and is rear-wheel drive, while the dual-motor all-wheel-drive version packs 300kW, shifting the vehicle from 0-100km/h in 6.5 seconds.The 115kWh battery offers a driving range of more than 700km, according to the WLTP testing cycle.Cheaper grades of the VLE will launch next year, featuring an 80kWh battery.The VLE is built on an 800-volt platform and is capable of charging at 320kW, giving it snappy recharge times, with 355km of driving range able to be added in 15 minutes.According to Mercedes, the people mover has a braked towing capacity of 2.5 tonnes.

Chery’s QQ3 budget hatch EV has been given a sharp price overseas ahead of its potential Australian launch as another budget EV hatchback battler.The Toyota Corolla-sized QQ3 is priced from 68,920 yuan in China, which converts to around A$14,000. While cars imported from China carry a significant price increase, it would still fall around the $20,000 mark in Australia when the usual additional costs added. This is similar pricing to the BYD Atto 1 in Australia, which has a starting price of $23,990, before on-road costs. However, it is more likely Australia would get the pricier long range version of the car, which has 420km of range as opposed to 310km, according to more lenient CLTC.This would give it a closer range to its rivals, which have around 350-400km real-world capacity. This variant of the car would more likely sit closer to the $30K bracket, in a similar price region to the GWM Ora and MG4. It could also line-up as a competitor to the incoming GAC Aion UT in an emerging Chinese electric hatchback battleground, which will start from $31,990 (before on-roads).The QQ3 would probably need a more powerful electric motor set-up than the 58kW and 90kW currently on offer in China if it launches in Australia. Its current set-up is underpowered compared to many of its rivals, such as the Aion UT, GWM Ora and MG4, which all have at least 125kW of power as standard. When CarsGuide contacted Chery Australia about the car late last month, the brand said it could not confirm whether the QQ3 is destined to launch Down Under. However, local Chief Operating officer Lucas Harris has previously said the brand is eager to bring an electric hatchback to Australia, making special mention of the QQ lineup, so it may not be too far away.Chery is continuing to grow its presence in Australia, and finished in the top 10 best-selling brands for February 2026.Chery’s only all-electric offering in Australia currently is the E5 compact SUV.