Electric News

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.

The global geopolitical climate is seeing significant pressures placed on Australia’s fuel infrastructure. Prices are rising and fuel availability is becoming more scarce, while EV sales numbers continue to climb.Does this make it the perfect time to take the plunge into the EV market?  Petrol pricesThe average price for Unleaded E10 petrol in Australia has risen beyond two dollars, with many prices hitting the $2.30s and beyond.Increasing demand and decreasing supply for fuel means it's not just more expensive to buy, but now it's harder to source as many stations run out of fuel ahead of schedule.There is speculation the Federal Government may pause the fuel excise in Australia, potentially providing temporary relief, but doing so is an internal solution to an external problem. There remains uncertainty as to how long oil supplies will continue to be impacted by the war in the Middle East, meaning the availability and price of fuel will continue to be volatile. EVs are getting cheaper The first New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) period has seen some brands hike the prices of its internal combustion models to account for the fines soon to be incurred. Further, the price of electric vehicles has also dropped significantly, making it more affordable than ever to step into the market. The cheapest EV on the market is the BYD Atto 1, which starts from $23,990, before on-road costs. BYD’s bigger hatch offering, the Dolphin also starts from under $30K. GWM’s Ora hatch currently has a $2000 cash-back offer, meaning it starts from $33,990 (drive-away) until March 31. If you are looking for an SUV, Chery’s Jaecoo J5 starts from $35,990 (before on-roads). Other brands are also dramatically reducing the prices of some EVs, such as Hyundai with its Kona compact SUV, which has seen at least $13K shaved off the price. The previous year’s Hyundai Ioniq 5 SUV received a sizable discount, while the Volkswagen ID. Buzz van has also experienced a $15k price cut.  Top 5 cheapest new EVs on sale in AustraliaEV driving range is increasingRange anxiety remains one of the biggest obstacles in the uptake of EVs. EV driving range has increased significantly, with battery technology improving constantly. Chinese manufacturers are leading the way, with many brands now boasting upcoming or future EVs with more than 1000km of range. This year in China Chery will launch its Exeed Liefeng shooting brake model, which has a range of 1500km. Driving range for Australian market EVs is getting better, with many offering a range of 400km or more. EV charging is faster and more availableThe EV charging landscape has changed in Australia over the past few years, with more than 1000 charging locations across Australia. Charging operators and infrastructure will continue to increase over the coming years as the government moves towards its plan to have five million EVs on the road by 2035. Major brands are also in talks to introduce more chargers in the network, such as Chinese carmaker BYD, which is looking to establish its charging presence in China. Late last year, the New South Wales government announced a program to deliver 159 new chargers in 48 locations. 

BMW has released details of its sharply-priced revamped iX3 electric compact SUV, with serious boosts to driving range and power output. The new-generation mid-size SUV starts from $109,900, before on-road costs, which is $5000 cheaper than the previous base model iX3 when it was released. BMW slashed the price of its previous- gen iX3 by more than $10,000 in 2023, with this latest version representing a return to the $100K+ bracket for the SUV. The car's price still sits below previous expectations of a $120K price tag, making the iX3 competitive compared to its segment rivals.It comes in as more affordable than a comparative all-wheel drive Audi Q6 e-tron, which starts from more than $120,000, before on-roads. It is also cheaper than the electric Genesis GV70, all-wheel drive Porsche Macan and dual-motor Polestar 3, with all three cars priced in the $130K+ bracket.There have been substantial improvements to the new-generation iX3 across the board. Its bigger 108kWh battery has a driving range of more than 800km (WLTP), nearly doubling that of the outgoing model and its 800-volt platform facilitates DC charging from 10-80 per cent in 21 minutes. The new SUV's dual electric motor set-up provides 345kW and 645Nm, enabling a 0-100km/h sprint of 4.9 seconds, utilising its all-wheel drive system.This means the iX3 has taken a significant step up on the set-up in the outgoing rear-wheel drive only iX3, which had a driving range of 460km and outputs of 210kW/400Nm.The car gets plenty of gear as standard, such as BMW’s wrap-around dashboard display and a head-up display. Seats are trimmed in a synthetic leather, with the front ones electrically operated and heated, and there is a premium Harman Kardon sound system. The new iX3 will launch in the middle of 2026, with more variants expected to follow soon after. 2026 BMW iX3 pricing Australia2026 BMW iX3 electric motor and efficiency2026 BMW iX3 standard features20-inch wheelsHead-up displayPanoramic digital dashboard displayPanoramic sunroofElectrically adjustable seats with memory functionHeated front seatsHeated steering wheelSynthetic leather seatsElectrically operated tailgateAutomatic air conditioningAmbient lightingPremium Harmon Kardon sound system2026 BMW iX3 safetyThe new BMW iX3 has not been crash tested yet. Standard safety features include: Adaptive cruise controlPark assistLane keep assistSteering assist2026 BMW iX3 warrantyAll new electric BMW cars are covered by a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty and an eight-year/160,000-kilometre battery warranty. 

XPeng’s G6 is now available as a range-extender hybrid in China, adding an important powertrain option to the previously electric-only SUV's arsenal.The new hybrid G6, dubbed the Power X, offers an all-electric driving range of 325km (WLTP), with a total driving range exceeding more than 1000km.It is powered by a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine, but like all range-extenders, the 110kW of power does not drive the wheels and only charges the battery.The single electric motor driving the wheels produces 218kW.It has the same 800-volt architecture found on the all-electric G6, which can add 314km of driving range in 12 minutes.The mid-size SUV uses a smaller battery than its electric siblings, equipped with a 56kW unit as opposed to 66kWh and 88kWh alternatives, though this is still a very large battery for a plug-in hybrid vehicle.An updated version of the G6 EV will launch in Australia this year, but there is no news yet on whether this will include the range-extender variant.XPeng Australia has been contacted for comment as to whether it will make its way to Aussie shores.Range-extenders, which are exploding in popularity in China, remain a rarity in Australia, but any range-extended G6 would be a direct rival for the Leapmotor C10, starting from $43,888 (before on-road costs).The G6 is currently available in Australia as an all-electric SUV, which comes in standard range and long range variants.The standard range starts from $54,800, before on-road costs, with a driving range of 435km (WLTP), while the long range is $5000 more expensive, with 570km of driving range.It is a rival for the likes of best-selling Tesla Model Y and BYD Sealion 7 in the mid-size electric SUV space.The range-extender model is slightly shorter than the EV, measuring at 4771mm in length, 1920mm wide, 1650mm tall and a 2890mm wheelbase.In China, it starts in price from around 187,000 yuan, which is around $40,000, but expect a significant on that figure (generally 15 - 20 per cent) if it launches Down Under.While there's no news on XPeng's hybrid plans for now, the brand is plotting an expansion on its G6-only range, expecting to add the G9 large SUV and X9 people mover in Australia imminently. The brand was forced to delay this range expansion as updated models of each debuted in China before the originals were made in right-hand drive for export.Expect to learn more about XPeng's plans for 2026 in Australia shortly, with suggestions of a BYD-style factory take-over of its current distributor also in the mix.

Australians are still buying cars at a rapid rate but should we be more patient?Some of the most exciting new models are still months away from hitting showrooms. In this article we’ll reveal the five newcomers that should have you staying calm and holding steady for a few more months.Toyota RAV4 PHEVThe new RAV4 is headed into showrooms very shortly, but the brand is saving the most important new variant until later in the year. That would be the new, long-awaited RAV4 plug-in hybrid (PHEV), which will come in the final months of the year to push back against the rising tide of PHEV rivals.While Toyota may be a latecomer to this PHEV party, the specifications sound promising. The RAV4 PHEV will offer a 227kW, all-wheel drive variant with up to 150km of electric-only driving range for the flagship GR Sport model. There will also be a 200kW, front-wheel drive XSE variant.Toyota Australia has already revealed pricing for the pair, with the XSE starting at $58,840 and the GR Sport from $66,340. So if that sounds appealing, all you have to do now is wait…Mazda CX-5Sure, it won’t have a hybrid option initially, but the arrival of a new CX-5 is still something worth waiting for. The brand has taken an evolutionary approach to this new model, which is a good thing considering its long-running popularity.While the turbocharged engine has been dropped and the hybrid won’t arrive until 2027, the new CX-5 will have a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, stylish looks and a roomy cabin. But will that be enough to ward off the challenges from the RAV4, BYD Sealion 6 and 7, Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage? That remains to be seen, but if you’re in the market for a mid-size SUV in ‘26 you will want to wait and see what the CX-5 offers before you make your decision.Chery UtePlug-in hybrid utes are all the rage at this moment in time and you could choose to jump into a Ford Ranger PHEV, BYD Shark 6 or GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV right now. Or you could wait until the end of the year when Chinese brand Chery launches the first turbo diesel PHEV ute.Previewed as the KP31 concept already, the new ute should look the part and by combining the preferred diesel power with the new PHEV technology it could be a gamechanger for the ute market.Obviously a lot of its success will be dependent on its price, but Chery has already earned a reputation for being one of the most aggressive brands when it comes to pricing. Which means this could be worth the wait for anyone looking for both a fuel efficient and affordable new ute.Honda PreludeIf you’re looking for a new sports car, like a Ford Mustang EcoBoost, Nissan Z or even a Honda Civic Type R, you may not want to rush in. That’s because Honda is due to reintroduce the famous Prelude nameplate to Australia by the end of the year.Making its return after more than 25 years in the wilderness, the Prelude picks up where it left off. The new version remains a stylish coupe based on a front-wheel drive platform, in this case the same underpinnings as the Honda Civic.While not based on the red hot Civic Type R, the Prelude is expected to have a version of the hybrid powertrain from the Civic e:HEV - a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine paired to an electric motor for 149kW of power.While it may not be as potent as the Type R, the Prelude will turn heads with its sleek looks. Which is why it could be worth waiting for if you want to stand out from the pack.BMW iX3Finally, for anyone considering a premium electric vehicle in 2026, the BMW iX3 is probably worthy of consideration - even if it’s not due here until later in the year.While EVs are in a precarious position at the moment, the German brand has poured all of its latest and greatest technology into the new model to give it its best chance of success. This is the first model of the so-called Neue Klasse platform of vehicles, which will spawn the next-generation 3 Series too.It also features the next revolution of BMW design, with a bold new look that will undoubtedly polarise opinions when it arrives.More importantly, BMW claims this electric SUV will have up to 805km of range and will arrive with the punchy 345kW/645Nm iX3 50 xDrive variant that can sprint 0-100km/h in just 4.9 seconds.

Tesla Australia has confirmed the Model Y L will launch Down Under in the coming months.The brand has revealed few other details about the Model Y L in Australia, so we do not know how much it will cost, or exactly when it will arrive.However, based on its approval for sale in regulatory documents in late February, it is likely the three-row SUV will officially go on sale in Australia within the next few months. The Model Y L offers a six-seat layout, targeted to build on the success of the standard Model Y, which has continued its run at the top of the EV sales charts in Australia. The seats are set up in a 2+2+2 configuration.There are limited three-row electric SUVs on sale, with most carrying a hefty price tag and luxury features, such as the incoming Cadillac Vistiq, which will start from more than $100K. The Volvo EX90 is another car in the category, with a starting price north of $120K. The Model Y L will also likely be a more affordable alternative to the Kia EV9, which starts from $97,000, before on-road costs.The six-seat Tesla measures up overall bigger than its five-seat counterpart. It will be powered by the same dual electric motor set-up found on the existing long-range all-wheel drive variant, producing a combined 378kW.We also know it will have 19-inch wheels as standard, but all other technical details are still not known at this stage. In China, the car has an 18-speaker sound system and a 16.0-inch central touchscreen, as well as an 8.0-inch rear touchscreen. Over there, the car starts from 339,000 Yuan (around $70,000). Cars imported from China usually carry a price hike once they land in Australia.This likely means the Model Y L will also have a price jump over the current Model Y long-range all-wheel drive variant, which has a starting price of $68,900, before on-road costs. 

New reports out of the US say Hyundai and Kia may be forced to significantly reduce their EV footprint as volatile trade winds bite.According to industry source Automotive News, the upcoming and heavily updated Ioniq 6 will be forced to be offered in just one variant, the Ioniq 6 N, as opposed to an expanded line-up.Conversely, Kia has been forced to indefinitely shelve its performance-oriented EV6 GT and EV9 GT, at least for the US market.This is because the Korean-built models will fail to be competitive enough in light of the US administration’s continued tariffs, which would add significant costs to the models once delivered in the USA. Models built locally, like the rest of the EV6 and EV9 range would not be affected.When contacted for potential impacts for Australian production, a Hyundai Australia spokesperson told CarsGuide its plan to launch the Ioniq 6 N would proceed as planned toward the end of April this year, and while the brand was considering further additions to the line-up, it was too early to say whether these plans would be impacted by tariff movements at HQ.Meanwhile, a Kia Australia spokesperson told CarsGuide that as it stands right now supply of the EV6 GT and EV9 GT would continue for the Australian market, and would remain unaffected by tariffs overseas.Locally, the range-topping Kia EV9 GT costs $129,250 before on-road costs, while the EV6 GT starts from $99,660 before on-road costs.Interestingly both brands also said at this stage they would not be affected by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, as vehicles sourced by each brand did not pass through the region for the Australian market.It seems a case of right-hand drive production insulating both automakers from wider impacts to the left-hand drive market, which is largely determined by demand coming out of either the USA or China.However, many other automakers will continue to pull back on EV plans due to the removal of subsidies in the US, and rising demand for hybrids the world over.Volkswagen for example is pivoting to range-extender hybrids in China and the US, where the tech will underpin its just-launched ID.9X large SUV, and its new range of big ladder frame 4x4s from rebooted Scout Motors.Meanwhile a range of Chinese brands, like MG’s IM luxury arm, Leapmotor, Geely, and Deepal are all rolling out range-extended hybrid powertrains across their range.Hyundai Group itself will invest in the tech, with executives frequently hinting the brand will pivot to a range-extender set-up for the highly anticipated Hyundai Ute, as a significant point of difference from its Kia Tasman cousin.While it is yet to be confirmed, it seems to be a logical next step for the brand, as many brands are betting on hybrid technology for the future of larger models in big left-hand drive markets like the US and China.Despite headwinds, Hyundai is also one of the few automakers standing by its hydrogen plans. Many are shying away from the potential diesel-replacing technology due to its massive upfront technology costs in a challenging financial environment.Stay tuned on more of both Hyundai and Kia’s plans in 2026 as they defend their hard-fought sales position in Australia from the meteoric growth of Chinese rivals like BYD, Chery, and GWM.

In an address to workers at Volkswagen's Wolfsburg headquarters overnight, VW AG Chairwoman of the General and Group Works Council Daniela Cavallo showed a teaser silhouette image of the upcoming, ninth-generation VW ID. Golf.VW has flagged a mid-2027 shift of production location for the Golf 8.5 from Wolfsburg to its Puebla plant in Southern Mexico and Cavallo was keen to reassure the employees she represents that the move is designed to make way for ID. Golf manufacture in Germany.It’s the first tangible glimpse of the new model, which is set to adopt pure-electric propulsion as well as the brand’s ID. naming convention prior to launching in 2028.Previewed by 2023’s ID. GTI electric concept, the ninth-gen ID. Golf is clearly an evolution of the Golf 8, which arrived in late 2019 with the current ‘8.5’ update following in early 2024.Introducing the ID. GTI at the 2023 IAA motor show in Munich, Volkswagen Head of Design Andreas Mindt positioned the FWD hatch as “the first glimpse of the exciting GTI future because its series development has already been decided.”So, the production ID. Golf is likely to share the concept’s full-width front and rear illumination, more prominent wheel arches and simplified, screen-rich interior (albeit with additional physical controls for key functions).For reference, the ID. GTI measures 4104mm long, 1840 mm wide and 1499mm high with a 2600mm wheelbase, which makes it around 180mm shorter end-to-end, 50mm wider and roughly 35mm taller than the Golf 8.5 with the distance between the axles reduced by 36mm.And given the German giant now owns close to 10 per cent of US EV specialist Rivan, expect to see leading edge powertrain tech and software architecture, the latter including over-the-air updates.Model hierarchy is yet to be confirmed, but VW has already indicated publicly that internal-combustion power for the Golf is set to continue well into the next decade. Meaning further updates will keep an ICE Golf running in parallel with the ID. Golf EV, the two possibly moving towards shared variations of VW’s ‘Scalable Systems Platform’ to accommodate hybrid powertrains.

There’s now officially a new best-selling Chinese brand in Australia.

BYD has revealed its new "Blade" battery capable of charging its electric vehicles in rapid time, according to reports.It is the second generation of the signature Blade battery, which is found on all of BYD’s electrified vehicles.Targeted charge times range from 10-70 per cent in five minutes, with a charge from 10-97 per cent taking just nine minutes.For reference, the BYD Sealion 7 currently on sale in Australia charges from 10-80 per cent in 38 minutes, so BYD’s latest battery offers a marked improvement.The battery has also been given some other boosts, including a five per cent higher energy density.One of the models it will debut on is the Denza Z9 GT, which is an all-electric wagon earmarked for Australia within the next year. It features a 122kWh unit offering a driving range of more than 1000km according to the more lenient CLTC measuring process.The Denza Z9 GT will take a little more than 5 minutes to charge from 10-70 per cent on a charger capable of the required output, while a 10-97 per cent charge will take roughly nine minutes.The brand said its new battery can also operate effectively in extreme temperatures, with 20-97 per cent charges at -20-degrees and -30-degrees both taking 12 minutes.The boosted charging times on these new batteries are in tandem with BYD’s recently-unveiled T-shaped megawatt-level charger. It is capable of adding around 400km of driving range in five minutes or a charging speed of two kilometres every second.It is claimed this new charging system is the first mass-produced liquid-cooled megawatt terminal for passenger vehicles. It has an overall bigger design, with dual-plug charging ability, which is enabled by the use of a buffer battery to operate without megawatt grid support.Even without the use of these super fast chargers, BYD claimed its new Blade battery charges 30-50 per cent faster than conventional EV batteries.BYD is targeting 20,000 of these new ‘Flash’ charging stations by the end of 2026, giving the brand a greater charging infrastructure landscape compared to rivals such as Tesla.Locally the boss of its Denza luxury arm has earmarked the possibility of BYD entering the charging hardware game, specifically to deploy the tech-leading megawatt-level chargers.Stay tuned for more on BYD's ambitious plans in 2026 as it plots a top-three finish for the year. The brand has already leapfrogged GWM in the first two months of the year to become Australia's current favourite Chinese brand.