Electric News

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.

If we know anything about BYD’s rollout in Australia, it’s that nothing stays the same for long. And so it’s unsurprising that the rumours that a new and tougher BYD Shark 6 will launch this year are gathering real steam.Those rumours solidified when BYD lodged Australian government documentation detailing the introduction of a new powertrain for the Shark 6, despite the current version being less than 18 months old in Australia.So CarsGuide has put on its detective cap to bring you everything we know so far about the Chinese ute that promises to now be just as tough as a Ranger, and to offer more tech than a HiLux.Why is this happening?We’re only guessing, but one of the criticisms the BYD Shark 6 faced when it first launched in Australia was its failure to hit some of the non-negotiables for dual-cab utes in Australia — towing and true off-road ability. While the fact the Shark 6 lags its traditional rivals hasn’t impacted sales one iota, it’s entirely possible those criticisms reached important ears.Add to that the fact that Denza has now arrived in Australia, and its B8 model addresses each of those concerns, with its 3.5-tonne towing and proper off-road equipment.In short, the blueprint for a new BYD Shark 6 had arrived.What will be the 2027 BYD Shark 6 platform and powertrain?We have more than a hint on this. In fact, we suspect the answer is already here in the shape of the B8.Government documents suggest the new Shark 6 model will adopt the B8’s 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine – something the company's executives have been hinting at since 2025 – along with twin electric motors to improve the grunt and massively improve the capability.The Shark 6's homologation documents reveal that the new 2.0-litre engine will produce 180kW before the electric motors are taken into account, compared to the current model's 135kW 1.5-litre turbo.Also worth pointing out that total system power on the Denza B8 is 425kW and 760Nm, but the Shark 6 won't reach that level. Its lodged documents confirm the petrol engine will be joined by a 200kW front electric motor and 150kW rear electric motor for a combined total output of 345kW.Will it be able to tow?Yep, that’s really the core focus of this upgrade. The bigger engine unlocks a true 3.5-tonne braked towing capacity, and 750kg unbraked. That puts it on-par with the diesel dual-cab heavyweights of Australia.Will it improve its off-road ability?That’s a big maybe. If BYD is raiding the Denza product portfolio — and it is — then the B8 has a whole bunch of other kit, like front and rear diff locks, a digitised low range and infinite Terrain Modes.Both the B5 and the B8 have climbed the infamous Beer O'Clock Hill (a challenge the current Shark 6 couldn't rise to), so borrowing from the Denza grab bag of off-road goodies will be a huge step in the right direction.When will it arrive?BYD is yet to comment publicly on the arrival of a 2.0-litre BYD Shark 6, but the government filings suggest the launch is now approaching. We'd estimate an arrival in the second half of 2026, or in early 2027.

With fuel prices surging to around two dollars a litre nationally, and more that three dollars a litre in some regional areas, now is one of the best times to consider switching to a fully electric vehicle.Price was once one of the biggest deterrents for buyers wanting to make the switch, but now that gap has well and truly closed.To highlight this we’ve pulled together the most popular cars from last year in each mainstream car category, and the fully electric alternatives you can now buy for the same money.Seeking a practical small SUV? Top of the charts last year was the Hyundai Kona, and one of its most popular variants is the entry-level Kona Hybrid which starts from $36,950.To be fair here, the Kona Hybrid is a great choice anyway, as one of the most fuel-efficient small SUVs you can buy, but if you’re looking to wean yourself off fuel altogether, a great alternative is the Jaecoo J5.Surprisingly spacious and swish-looking, the J5 starts from just $35,990 before on-roads and offers a 402km (WLTP) range with a 155kW/288Nm electric motor driving the front wheels. It can even charge relatively quickly with its 130kW DC peak speed taking it from 20 - 80 per cent in just over half an hour.Read our Jaecoo J5 review hereYou actually can’t buy the popular GXL hybrid front-wheel-drive version of the Toyota RAV4 anymore, because production ended in the lead up to the launch of the new-gen version. The bad news is, the new one will cost even more than the outgoing car, which started from $45,810 before on-road costs.The RAV4 has earned its place as Australia’s most popular mid-size SUV through its family-friendly design, practical size and interior, and its no-nonsense approach to pretty much everything. The brand’s 2.5-litre 160kW hybrid system remains one of the most user-friendly hybrid systems on the market, too.What can you get as an EV for the same money? Quite a few options these days, as it turns out, and one of the most appealing is the just-updated Geely EX5 Extended Range, which is priced from $45,990 before on-roads.This relatively straightforward EV also provides a spacious interior and practical dimensions, but even combines it with more modern luxuries than the RAV4 offers in equivalent guise. It features synthetic leather interior trim, bigger screens with more connected technology, and its most recent upgrade brought with it a boost in driving range to 450km (WLTP). No wonder this one is storming up the sales charts.Read our Geely EX5 review hereFord’s big Everest off-roader is the most popular option in the large SUV space, and buyers tend to splash a bit more, reaching for the upper mid-grade Sport variant, which wields a 3.0-litre diesel V6 paired to a full-time 4WD system.This car wears a before-on-roads price-tag of $75,990, so what can you get as an EV instead?How about the just-released Tesla Model Y L? Starting from $74,900, sporting six-seats, and expanding in every dimension, this new take on the best-selling electric car in Australia offers more than you might expect.Sure, it’s not a big off-road oriented 4x4, but if it’s a fuel-free family hauler you’re looking for, you could do worse. With 378kW/580Nm it’s rapid, too, and with a huge battery offering up to 681km of range, it’s one of the furthest-travelling EVs on sale in Australia.Plus, it’s much more affordable than truly large electric SUVs, like the Kia EV9, which starts much higher at $97,000 before on-roads.Read more about the Tesla Model Y L hereThe Toyota Corolla continues as a perennial favourite among Australian buyers, and with the popular Ascent Sport hybrid starting from $32,110, why wouldn’t it?The swish little hatch offers Toyota’s perennial 1.8-litre four-cylinder hybrid drivetrain in a front-wheel-drive layout, sporting a modest combined 103kW. There’s no denying that as far as cars with combustion engines go, it’s pretty fuel efficient, officially consuming 4.0L/100km, but what if you could forgo fuel altogether?The obvious answer for some time has been BYD’s Dolphin Premium. Starting from $36,990 before on-roads it carries a slight price premium over the most popular Corolla variant, however, the Dolphin also brings with it a long electric driving range of 490km (WLTP), and a punchier 150kW/310Nm electric motor.It also scores a much more contemporary and screen-laden interior, with bonus luxuries like synthetic leather seats, plus it undercuts the nearest equivalent MG4 by a decent margin.Read our BYD Dolphin review hereKia’s Picanto soldiers on as a hold-out in an embattled city car segment, which, despite ever-rising fuel prices, Australians have turned their back on. It’s still a great option, offering both manual and automatic transmissions, although its 1.2-litre four-cylinder engine feels its age.Starting from $20,790 before on-road costs in automatic form, the Picanto is solid value, and while its wheezy engine produces just 62kW/122Nm it’s hardly the fuel sipping hero you might need, still managing to consume 6.0L/100km.This is where BYD’s Atto 1 comes into play. Now Australia’s most affordable electric car, the sharply-styled city hatch is slightly more expensive than the Picanto, as it starts from $23,990 in base Essential form.This entry-level Atto 1 is about even with the Kia on power, producing just 65kW, but it gets a boost in the torque department, with 175Nm. It also scores a middling 220km of range from its small 30kWh battery, but in a city runabout, do you need more?The smallest BYD also scores spec bonuses over its combustion Kia rival, with synthetic leather interior trim, a more contemporary interior design, and even a vehicle-to-load power distribution system.Read more about the BYD Atto 1 here

Honda has made the tough financial decision to cancel three electric vehicle programs in the face of a slower than expected global transition to EVs.The Honda 0 SUV, 0 Saloon and Acura RSX were all scheduled to be produced in North America, but in a statement the Japanese maker said it "determined that starting production and sales of these three models in the current business environment where the demand for EVs is declining significantly would likely result in further losses over the long term."The statement added, "As a result, in the consolidated financial results for the current fiscal year, (it) expects to record 1) operating expenses of ¥820 billion ($7.2B) to ¥1.12 trillion ($9.9B) and 2) a share of the loss of investments accounted for using the equity method of ¥110 billion ($975M) to ¥150 billion ($1.3B)."Moreover, Honda expects to record special losses of ¥340 billion ($3.0B) to ¥570 billion ($5.0B) in the non-consolidated financial results for the same fiscal year. "Combined with the losses to be recorded in the current fiscal year, the total amount of losses is expected to be a maximum of ¥2.5 trillion ($22.2B)," it said. Yikes!In summary, the statement confirmed, "The profitability of Honda automobile business is currently declining due primarily to 1) the unfavorable impact of changes in U.S. tariff policies on the gasoline and hybrid vehicle business and 2) a decline in the competitiveness of Honda products in Asia due to the impact of the allocation of more resources to EV development."Expected to arrive in the second half of 2026, the dual-motor AWD Acura RSX was "a dramatically styled premium, performance SUV" noted at the time of the concept version’s unveiling at last year’s Monterey Car Week as “a significant next step in the performance brand's electrification strategy.Honda said it was also "The first model engineered in-house on the new Honda-developed EV platform and the first EV produced at the Honda EV Hub flexible manufacturing facility in Ohio."Shown for the first time in prototype form at the CES in 2024, as it was "being developed for a North American market launch in 2026", the Honda 0 Saloon was positioned as the flagship model of the Honda 0 Series.In 2024 Honda said it would be "based on the newly developed dedicated EV architecture and feature a number of next-generation technologies that embody the ‘Thin, Light and Wise’ development approach" including "highly reliable Level 3 automated driving technology.”"Also presented as a concept at the 2024 CES in Las Vegas, the oddly-proportioned Honda O SUV, also set for a 2026 introduction in North America, was a mid-size five-seater featuring “high-precision attitude estimation and stabilization control based on 3D gyro sensors”, technology that came out of Honda’s original robotics program.Worth noting Honda retired its iconic humanoid robot, ASIMO in early 2022 after a 22-year development focus.Honda said it will now direct electrification investment into hybrids with a new hybrid powertrain and automated driving system under development for commercialisation after 2027. 

Tesla Australia has confirmed the pricing and specifications of the upcoming Model Y L six-seat SUV ahead of its launch in the second quarter of 2026.The 2026 Tesla Model Y L is priced from $74,900 before on-road costs, which positions it between the five-seat Model Y's Premium Long Range AWD ($68,900 before on-road costs) and Performance ($89,400 before on-road costs) variants.While three-row versions of the Model Y have been offered in other markets, the Model Y L marks the first time it has been offered in Australia.It has a six-seat configuration with second-row captain’s chairs that are heated, ventilated and feature adjustable headrests and armrests. Even the third-row seats offer heating.Every second- and third-row seat has ISOFIX and top-tether child seat anchorage points, meaning you can install up to four child seats.The Model Y L has the same body shape as the regular Model Y from the B-pillar forwards, however the rear doors have been lengthened, as well as the rear three-quarter panel. There’s also a higher roof line to account for the third row of seating.It measures in at 4969mm long, 1668mm tall and 2129mm wide with a 3040mm wheelbase. This makes it 177mm longer and 44mm taller than the standard Model Y.Power comes from a dual-motor all-wheel drive set-up with a total system output of 378kW and 590Nm.This is fed by a nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) lithium-ion battery of an undisclosed capacity, however Tesla claims there’s 681km of range, according to WLTP testing. For context, the Model Y Premium Long Range AWD offers 600km of WLTP-claimed range.The high-voltage battery pack can be DC fast-charged at rates up to 250kW and it offers vehicle-to-load (V2L) at rates up to 3.3kW through the use of an adaptor that plugs into the charge port. This is the first time a Tesla vehicle has offered V2L in Australia.2026 Tesla Model Y Australian pricing:2026 Tesla Model Y L powertrain:2026 Tesla Model Y L dimensions2026 Tesla Model Y L standard equipment:19-inch alloy wheels with aero coversSix-seat configuration16.0-inch central touchscreen multimedia system8.0-inch second-row touchscreen50W driver’s side wireless charger30W front passenger’s side wireless charger19-speaker sound systemHeated and ventilated front- and second-row seatsHeated third-row seatsElectric folding third- and second-row seats2026 Tesla Model Y L safety:Tesla has confirmed the Model Y L retains the regular Model Y’s five-star ANCAP safety rating.There are nine airbags which cover all passengers, including those in the third row.2026 Tesla Model Y L warranty and servicing:The 2026 Tesla Model Y L is covered by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, whereas the high-voltage battery is covered for eight years or 192,000km.Owners also receive five years of roadside assistance, including puncture repair and tyre replacement. Tesla will even offer you a loan vehicle if a repair isn’t possible.Tesla doesn’t enforce typical logbook servicing intervals for its vehicles.

A tech website has accidentally leaked details of an upcoming SUV from EV maker Rivian, set to be globally revealed a day later.The 2026 Rivian R2, an SUV cousin to the Rivian R1S SUV and R1T pick-up, was accidentally unveiled by Ars Technica in what appears to be a scheduling error.Vitally, this model is the best chance yet that Rivian has for an Australian launch thanks to its signalled plans for the UK.While it’s since been unpublished, the page was captured and published to reddit, where the pricing has been confirmed as starting at US$57,990 (A$81,300).The first variants to launch will be the R2 Performance, with 530km of electric range and a 489kW/825Nm dual-motor all-wheel-drive system.Power comes from an 87.9kWh battery pack, which it will share with a less powerful R2 Premium variant coming later in the year. That one will come in at US$53,990 (A$75,600).Later down the track, there will be an R2 Standard with a smaller battery and likely less power, though details of that have not been revealed in the leaked information.The Rivian R2 is essentially set to rival the Tesla Model Y, though there are more rivals in that category available in Australia like the Zeekr 7X, BYD Sealion 7 and Kia EV5.While Rivian doesn’t have a presence in Australia, the R2 is set to be the first Rivian to be available outside North America, meaning if any model is going to make its way Down Under from the US brand, it’s this one.This comes after the brand confirmed the R2 will be available in right-hand drive for buyers in the UK, opening the door for RHD sales here in Australia, even though it’s unconfirmed.

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  

Having launched the pure-electric version of its Cayenne large SUV late last year, Porsche Cars Australia has released details of a new all-wheel drive S Electric model, positioned between the existing entry-grade Electric and top-spec Turbo Electric.Scheduled for arrival in the third quarter of this year, the the Cayenne S Electric is powered by a permanent magnet synchronous motor on each axle producing 400kW (up to 490kW with launch control) which is a mid-point between the base model’s 325kW and the Turbo’s 630kW (850kW with Launch Control).Claimed 0-100km/h acceleration time is a seriously rapid 3.8 seconds and a 113kWh (gross capacity) drive battery delivers combined cycle (urban/extra-urban) range of 635km (WLTP).With a charging capacity of up to 400kW Porsche says the Cayenne S Electric can be charged from 10-80 per cent in 16 minutes at that rate.And as per the Cayenne Turbo Electric, the Cayenne S Electric uses direct oil cooling for the rear-axle electric motor to dissipate heat directly from the current-carrying components.Car spotters should look out for specific front and rear aprons finished in ‘Volcano Grey Metallic’, body colour on selected inserts and the rear diffuser as well as 20-inch ‘Aero’ rims.2026 Porsche Cayenne pricing2026 Porsche Cayenne S Electric powertrain and efficiencyThe Cayenne S Electric is powered by a permanent magnet synchronous motor on each axle producing a combined 400kW (up to 490kW with launch control).Combined cycle energy consumption is between 21.7–19.2kWh/100 km with range at 635km (WLTP).2026 Porsche Cayenne S Electric standard featuresAside from included safety tech, standard feature highlights are:20-inch ‘Aero’ alloy wheelsPrivacy glassParking Entry Package (with ‘Surround View’ and ‘Self-Steering ParkAssist’)Digital radioExterior colour - up to and including the ‘Dreams’ range as no-cost options14-way electric comfort seats with memory packageBose ‘Surround Sound System’Panoramic roof systemSeat ventilation (front)Four-zone automatic climate controlOptions:Porsche Torque Vectoring PlusPorsche Active Ride suspensionPorsche Ceramic Composite Brake (with yellow-painted brake callipers)2026 Porsche Cayenne S Electric coloursExterior colour options (standard): WhiteChromite Black MetallicVanadium Grey MetallicCarrara White MetallicDolomite Silver MetallicMystic Green MetallicMadeira Gold MetallicAlgarve Blue MetallicNapali Blue MetallicOptional ($7370):Oak Green Metallic NeoPale Blue MetallicSlate Grey NeoMonteverde MetallicInterior colour options:Partial leather - Black - Black/Chalk BeigeLeather - Black - Black/Lavender - Black/Magnesium Grey - Black/Sage Grey - Black/Bordeaux Red - Black/Chalk Beige - Black/Chalk BeigeSynthetic leather - BlackClub leather - Espresso - Bramble2026 Porsche Cayenne S Electric safetyThe Porsche Cayenne has not been assessed by ANCAP but standard safety features include:‘ParkAssist’ (front and rear) including reversing camera3D Surround View with Active Parking Support (Self-steering Park Assist)Warning and Brake Assist incl. Pedestrian protectionDriver Awareness DetectionLane Change Assist - Blind-spot monitoring and Rear AssistLane Keeping AssistTraffic sign recognitionAirbags - front, front side (thorax), side curtain (covering both rows) and knee airbags for driver and front passenger2026 Porsche Cayenne S Electric warranty and servicingService interval - 12 months / 15,000 kmWarranty - Three years / unlimited km (including paint)Battery warranty - Eight years / 160,000km12-year rust warrantyRoadside assist - Three years2026 Porsche Cayenne S Electric dimensionsLength - 4991mmWidth - 1980mmHeight - 1674mmWheelbase - 3023mm

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.

Pricing for the GAC Aion UT electric hatch has been revealed, exposing a new entrant to the budget EV segment.The Toyota Corolla-sized electric hatchback will launch in the second quarter of 2026 starting from $31,990, before on-road costs, making it one of the cheapest new EVs on the market.It is scheduled for a launch in the second quarter of 2026, but GAC Australia has been contacted for comment to get a firm date on the commencement of deliveries.It is slightly more expensive than the base BYD Dolphin, but entry variants of the Dolphin have a 70kW/180Nm motor, with a driving range of 340km.Given the Aion UT scores a 150kW/210Nm motor and 430km of driving range from its 60kWh battery, a more fair comparison is to the range-topping Dolphin Premium.This version of the Dolphin has a similar power output and driving range to the base Aion UT, with GAC’s car $5000 cheaper.The GWM Ora will be another of the Aion UT's rivals, which wears a starting price of $33,990, drive-away.GAC has brought across a higher trim level for the Aion UT, which starts from $35,990, before on-roads. Its key details appear identical, with the major upgrades expected to be increased specifications, including items like a panoramic sunroof.2026 GAC Aion UT pricing AustraliaAll variants of the Aion UT are front-wheel drive.GAC sells an even more affordable base variant of the Aion UT in its Chinese home market, with a 100kW motor and a 34.8kWh battery. At this stage, it appears the brand will not bring that car across to Australia.The Aion UT is the latest GAC model to come to Australia as part of the brand’s ambitions to launch 10 new models in the next five years.GAC currently offers three other models Down Under, which are its Emzoom combustion hatchback, Aion V mid-size fully-electric SUV and the M8 plug-in hybrid people mover.