Electric News

Buyers are about to get an exciting new ute from Ford. The Blue Oval is developing a ute model to add to its hugely popular Ford Bronco line-up, according to a report in AutoNews.The Bronco pick-up is due to launch in North America before 2030, and will join the likely Australian-bound Bronco hybrid coming next year.The Bronco has been a significant sales success in North America as a cheap off-roading rival to the Jeep Wrangler.This latest move from Ford will see the lifestyle off-roader take on the hotly-contested ute segment. Ford is looking to expand on the success of the Bronco name in North America by exporting it to global markets and introducing new variants.The Blue Oval has pivoted its focus away from EVs following substantial losses in the past year, and is now seeking different avenues. It suffered from extensive devaluation of its EV business due to low demand and high development costs, among other things.There is a monocoque, likely plug-in hybrid compact SUV Bronco being built in Spain for European buyers. A different Chinese-built electric and range-extender large SUV Bronco is earmarked for an Australian release in 2027.These variants differ from the Bronco and Bronco Sport off-roaders only available in North America.There is no official news on the Bronco ute’s future in Australia as details light-on at this stage. The ute will initially be built in the United States, meaning it will only come in left-hand drive for now, and future export plans have not been confirmed.Australia doesn't get the current North American Bronco because it's built in left-hand drive and its emissions-heavy turbo-petrol engines would incur fines under our regulations.Australia will instead receive the Bronco ‘New Energy’ range-extender hybrid and electric mid-size SUV in 2027, highlighting Ford’s interest in the name here. Any Bronco ute’s Australian launch likely hinges on whether its set-up will have hybrid power and will be built in right-hand drive.A spokesperson for Ford Australia said the brand would not comment on future production speculation.

Genesis has officially revealed its new GV90 flagship electric SUV ahead of its Australian launch in the first half of 2027.The Genesis GV90 is based on a new platform called Electric Mobility Prime (eMP) platform. It also features a level of luxury that moves the brand’s positioning much closer to Bentley and Rolls-Royce.Two new world-first features include B-pillarless coach doors that allow for one large opening with both the front and rear doors open, as well as a roof airbag that’s designed to deploy during roll-over accidents and protect occupants.Other highlight features that are a first for the Hyundai Motor Group include 180-degree swivelling first-row seats, monotube-type electronic controlled suspension, metal-coated heated glass that operates on a 48V system, as well as a dual e-LSD system on both the front and rear motors.There are two versions of this car available – the GV90 and GV90 Neolun – and both are powered by a dual-electric motor set-up with total system outputs of 490kW and 800Nm.It’s enough to send it from 0-100km/h in 4.9 seconds, depending on the variant. Top speed is 240km/h.The electric motors are fed by a 123.5kWh lithium-ion battery pack, which is the largest fitted to any Hyundai Motor Group EV to date. It allows for up to 500km of range, depending on the configuration, according to internal testing.Peak charging rates haven’t been disclosed, but a 10-80 per cent charge is claimed to take as little as 22 minutes.The Genesis GV90 measures in at 5285mm long, 2030mm wide and up to 1825mm tall, with a 3245mm wheelbase. This makes it 225mm longer than the Hyundai Ioniq 9 and more on par with mammoth full-size SUVs like the GMC Yukon.Standard versions of the GV90 come with 22-inch alloy wheels, whereas Neolun versions come with larger 24-inch alloy wheels. A total of 16 exterior paint colours are available.At the front there is a V-shaped lighting signature as part of Genesis’ signature Two-Lines graphic motif, as well as a long bonnet.Around the side, beyond the large alloy wheels, GV90 Neolun variants receive the B-pillarless coach doors. Standard GV90 variants receive conventionally opening rear doors.At the back there are large body-colour sections, unique glass graphics and cutless rear lamps. There’s also a gooseneck hinge for the tailgate that conceals the mechanical parts when open.Standard versions of the GV90 come with either six or seven seats, whereas the Neolun variants come with either six or four seats. There are a total seven interior colourways, as well as multiple interior garnishes including real wood stone and wool cashmere trim.The Neolun versions receive 180-degree swivelling front-row seats, plus if you opt for the Executive Suite pack with four seats you get a built-in refrigerator, tables and a partition between the passenger and cargo sections.A highlight of the interior is a 23.6-inch OLED central display screen that can pop up an additional 90mm when parked, transforming it into a 24.6-inch display. There’s also a 25-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system and interior ambient lighting.Additionally, the GV90 debuts Hyundai Motor Group’s new Pleos Connect multimedia software, which is based on the Android Automotive Operating System and allows for third-party apps to be downloaded via an app store.Other highlight interior features include a rotating crystal sphere controller, rotating shift-by-wire gear selector and a 25-inch head-up display.Genesis has confirmed the GV90 will launch in Australia in the first half of 2027.When it launches it won’t have any direct rivals that offer comparable levels of specification and an all-electric powertrain. The closest would be the likes of the Mercedes-Maybach GLS, Bentley Bentayga and Rolls-Royce Cullinan.At this stage it’s unclear how much the GV90 will cost in Australia. The most expensive model currently is the Electrified G80 Signature at $156,418, before on-road costs, but the V8-powered Mercedes-Maybach GLS starts at $424,900, before on-road costs.Only 222 examples of the GV90 Neolun First Edition are being offered globally and they come with exclusive exterior and interior colourways, plus bespoke detailing. It’s unclear if any of these will come to Australia.

Xpeng’s new mid-size ‘coupe’ SUV has been confirmed in Thailand ahead of the L03's Australian launch.Thanks to its imminent right-hand drive Thai launch, we now know some details of the the 2026 Xpeng L03 (called Mona L03 in China) we are likely to get.The segment-treading SUV, which has a more ‘coupe’ shape than some SUVs it will likely rival.XPeng has been dealing with something of a ‘relaunch’ in Australia as the Chinese headquarters roll out factory-backed operations in Australia, taking over from the former importer TrueEV.The L03 will join the G6 mid-size SUV and X9 people-mover to help bolster the line-up and compete with more established rivals.What is the XPeng L03?Likely to be classified as a mid-size SUV in Australia and rival the Geely EX5 or BYD Atto 3, the L03 is somewhat like a Polestar 2 in being sedan-shaped but SUV-sized.Coming in at 4650mm long, 1920mm wide and 1600mm tall, the L03 will launch in Thailand with an option of 58.3kWh or 71.2kWh LFP battery, the latter providing up to 520km of WLTP-tested range.A range-extender is available in China with a 1.5-litre engine producing 70kW, though in Thailand the more powerful variants have outputs of 183kW.Thanks to maximum 236kW DC charging, XPeng claims the L03 can undertake a 10-80 per cent charge in two minutes.A large panoramic roof, 15.6-inch central touchscreen and floating centre console with the increasingly standard wireless charging pads are key to the interior, much like many, many other EVs from China.

Brightly coloured SUVs for people who don’t like SUVs. That’s the sales pitch for the fourth (but by no means final) new brand from Chery Motors - Lepas.Due to open its first showrooms in October and start customer deliveries in November, Lepas will join Chery, Omoda and Jaecoo in the Chinese giant’s expanding Australian line-up.But why is Chery adding yet another brand? And how will Lepas, which will begin with the L6 electric SUV, fit in?We spoke with Chery Australia Chief Operating Officer Lucas Harris during a ride-along in the L6 to understand why another brand is necessary.“ So Jaecoo is that urban, off-road, stylish urban off-road vehicle, Omoda is a much more futuristic/technology/fashion orientated customer, ”Harris explained."Lepas is going to be much more bold and distinctive and so the way that we've tried to summarise that is that we want to create a brand that has SUVs for non-SUV people, and so it's bold and distinctive and individualistic. That's the idea rather than off-road or futuristic if that makes sense?”According to Harris, bolder colours, such as the purple our pre-production L6 was finished in, will actually play a major role in defining Lepas.“Colour is going to play a big part in that and making it stand out,” he said.“I think the other thing that's really important and very different about Lepas specifically is that it's a new energy only brand. So we'll only have battery electric and plug-in hybrid.” The L6 EV will be the first model to arrive in Australia, followed shortly after by the smaller L4 and then the larger L8 and L9 SUVs by early 2027, with a smaller, yet-to-revealed L2 the final confirmed model for the local range.Both the L6 and L4 will be available with fully-electric and plug-in hybrid powertrains, which is also under consideration for the other models.Pricing hasn’t been revealed, but Harris indicated the L6, which is similar in size to the Jaecoo J5, will start at below $50,000. That is another key difference between Chery’s multi-brand approach and the legacy brands, with Omoda, Jaecoo and Lepas likely to overlap on price across the range.Harris explained why this strategy works for Chery as a group.“ So I think one of the differences in our approach to the brands is that established brands' way of thinking, because there are established brands that have multi-brand arrangements, they typically stack them on top of each other,” he said.“This one's volume, this one's kind of premium mainstream, this one's luxury, this one's a supercar. And they segment them and separate them really just by price. And in some of those examples, you could find the first three segments or first three layers of their brands, and they segment them by price, but a normal consumer can't tell the difference between the $80,000 or $90,000 one and the $40,000 one. The fit and finish and the standard is very similar on those.“So our approach is less about pricing and much more about trying to create a unique brand image and a unique brand feeling. And, product is a big part of that and you can see quite a big difference in the design of our products across the brands. The idea is to try and have different brands that speak to different sub-sets of consumers.”Naturally that leads to the obvious question about the potential for Lepas to take costumes away from Chery, Omoda and Jaecoo. But Harris is ready to rebut that concern.“ So my short answer to that is no, I don't think there will be any,” he said.“And the reason why I say that is that we're very intentionally trying to target different customers, and those different customers consume their media and respond to different marketing messages than others do."That's not to say that all customers are going to fit squarely into the four boxes that we've created. There might be a little bit of overlap between the boxes, but the end goal is we reach a broader audience and reach more people.”One major difference between Lepas and the other three brands, beyond colours, is what’s underneath.The L6 rides on a different vehicle underpinnings than the others, which was developed at the company’s German design and engineering hub.Harris believes this will provide a meaningful difference between the Lepas range and what Chery, Omoda and Jaecoo can offer, with a more European-centric ride and handling program resulting in a different driving experience.But we’ll have to wait until we can jump from the passenger seat to the driver’s seat before we can pass judgement on that.

This could be a huge problem for EV owners in Australia. Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) is the next big step to unlocking the full potential of electric cars. V2G allows an EV battery to send its power back to the grid, allowing owners to make money at peak times.Electric cars sales are already booming in Australia, but this added functionality gives them an even sharper edge over petrol- and diesel-powered alternatives. However, using V2G in Australia currently risks voiding the manufacturer's warranty of the car.Electric Vehicle Council’s Head of Energy, Infrastructure and Commercial Alina Dini told CarsGuide current warranties generally weren’t designed to account for undertaking V2G. “Unless it has been stipulated in those terms and conditions that vehicle to grid is allowed, it’s generally not,” Dini said. V2G can have a significant impact on battery condition, depleting its health more rapidly than standard use. Most EVs in Australia are not designed to have two-way power transfer, but that are a range of third-party chargers that can facilitate V2G capabilities.Hyundai Australia's Senior Manager Future Mobility and Government Relations Scott Nargar said third-party V2G set-ups don't allow the car to be in control of the energy transfer.This can lead to overheating and other safety issues, with any damage not eligible for repair under warranty.Hyundai Australia states that none of its vehicles support V2G in Australia."The use of unapproved bidirectional charging equipment introduces safety risks, potential vehicle damage and warranty implications for your vehicle," Hyundai's website said.These set-ups use workarounds to enable V2G that is otherwise prohibited by the car's software.Most brands including BYD, Hyundai, Kia, Tesla and Zeekr warn against the use of unapproved V2G set-ups, with it risking the validity of the warranty.Mitsubishi remains one of few brands to actively support V2G in its Outlander PHEV SUV warranty, but it suggests repeated fast charging will reduce battery capacity.V2G is not as much of a safety issue as it is one of technology moving quicker than the rules, according to Ms Dini. Many brands are laying the groundwork for a full-scale uptake of V2G.“What we’re finding now is that all of the automotive OEMs that we work with are having a really hard look at their warranties," Ms Dini said."They’re having conversations with their stakeholders overseas and looking to reshape the commercial arrangements for selling cars."Brands are also collaborating with energy providers and government agencies in trials that will see the technology become mainstream within the next couple of years. BYD has partnered with Amber Electric and the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), while Hyundai, Kia and Zeekr are working with AGL. Developments are expected to be announced within the next few months.

Electric cars are about to change forever as another brand confirms solid-state battery trials in 2027 that put 1000km-plus driving ranges within striking distance.Geely is joining BYD and battery giant CATL in installing futuristic solid-state batteries in vehicles next year, according to Chinese reports.The Chinese behemoth said it would roll out the tech across its brands, which include Geely, Polestar, Volvo, Zeekr and more.Solid-state batteries are often touted as the holy grail of EV cells, they are more energy dense, faster to charge, work better in cold temperatures and are less prone to fire than conventional units.This means brands can install smaller batteries for similar driving range to current EVs, which means they are lighter, more efficient and less of a strain on resources.The reduction in weight and improved packaging that goes with smaller batteries also opens up the possibility of electric performance cars, utes and 4WDs that are all hamstrung by excess weight of current EVs.Makers can also choose to keep the batteries the same size as current units and effectively double the vehicle’s driving range.Driving ranges of more than 1000km have been claimed for the future electric vehicles fitted with these batteries.Geely announced earlier this year that it would start production of its own solid-state batteries after a validation process before installing the new battery type in vehicles for next year.Some reports put Geely’s new cells at 500Wh per kg, which is more than double the average battery.It is also more than double the Golden Brick battery found in some Zeekr 7X models, which have a driving range of close to 500km.The Golden Brick is also immensely fast to charge and suck up 450kW of juice when connected to an appropriate DC charger.This solid-state battery could push the driving range of popular EVs such as the Geely EX5, Volvo EX60 and Zeekr 7X well beyond 1000km.So far no Chinese brand has publicly revealed the results of its solid-state trails, which pours cold water on the idea the batteries will arrive soon and change the game.European makers BMW and Mercedes-Benz have shown off what their prototypes can do.In August 2025, Mercedes-Benz completed a trip from Stuttgart in Germany to Malmo, Sweden without charging.The trip covered 1205km and the prototype vehicle had 130km of range left when it reached its location.Mercedes-Benz Chief Technology Officer Markus Schafer said he wants to have this tech in production vehicles before the end of the decade.“The solid-state battery is a true game-changer for electric mobility. With the successful long-distance drive of the EQS, we show that this technology delivers not only in the lab but also on the road."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,” said Schafer.The reality is the tech will come, but it will likely be expensive and reserved for high-end cars before trickling down to more mainstream models.Audi engineers previously told CarsGuide they might never be mainstream and will be a niche application because they are too hard to manufacture currently.

Zeekr has shared details of its upcoming 7GT wagon ahead of its Australian arrival.Due before the end of 2026, the 7GT will be the brand’s next model following on from the success of the 7X mid-size SUV, and the brand has now confirmed it will bring the same three core trim levels available in China across to our market.This means the 7GT will be available in both standard and long-range versions, as well as a top-spec Performance all-wheel drive.The brand also hinted at an as-yet unknown fourth variant, which was said to be some kind of special edition.The 7GT has already been specified in Europe, where it is available in a base 75kWh Core RWD version with 310kW/440Nm. It can accelerate from 0-100km/h in 5.3 seconds and travel 519km according to WLTP measuring standards. Next is a mid-spec 100kWh Long Range RWD version with the same power outputs and 0-100km/h sprint time despite its larger battery. Its range is boosted to 655km (WLTP).The top-spec Privilege AWD adds a second motor on the front axle, producing a combined output of 475kW/710Nm. It reduces the 0-100km/h sprint time to just 3.3 seconds, but also reduces driving range to 558km (WLTP).If the 7GT’s local price-tags remain relative to the cost of the 7X SUV in China, it will be a keenly-priced option locally. In China, the 7GT is priced lower than the 7X, with a conversion suggesting a starting figure of around $55,000, especially since the entry-level rear-wheel drive version is now confirmed. Expect the top-spec all-wheel drive version to top-out closer to $70,000.While specifications for right-hand drive Australian market cars are yet to be revealed, over in Europe the base car comes with the large 15.0-inch multimedia touchscreen and 13.0-inch digital dash, as well as built-in navigation and even panoramic sunroof. The mid-grade Long Range adds things like a 35.5-inch head-up display, while the top-spec Privilege AWD grade also adds active air suspension with adaptive dampers.Overseas, all three core 7GT variants are also available optionally with a range of interior packages, ranging from suede sports seats through to up-sized performance brakes designed to extend performance usage beyond what would otherwise be possible in cars with such heavy batteries.All versions of the 7GT are also equipped with an 800-volt electrical architecture, allowing a 10-80 per cent charge time between 13 and 16 minutes. All cars are also equipped with 3.3kW vehicle-to-load discharging and 22kW AC charging according to Euro specs.Inside, Euro spec cars get a choice of textile black, or Nappa leather interior trim in either charcoal or white. Chinese cars meanwhile are available with a wider array of interior trims including synthetic suede.The 7GT’s wagon body allows it a 456-litre boot capacity, while the frunk is 65-litres in rear-wheel drive variants or 32 litres in all-wheel drive variants. In Europe, the wagon is permitted to tow 1600kg, although whether this will carry over into the Australian market where regulations tend to be slightly different, remains to be seen.The 7GT was also recently awarded a maximum five-star EuroNCAP safety rating (which is expected to form the basis of a maximum five-star ANCAP rating).The sporty wagon will be Zeekr’s next launch in Australia, with the highly-anticipated 8X large SUV and 9X flagship due over the course of 2027, both of which will introduce plug-in hybrid power to the Chinese premium automaker’s line-up.

Hyundai began production of its newest electric car, the Ioniq 3, at its Türkiye plant during the week, with a promising price tag already attached to the car in the UK.Order books opened for the 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 3 in the UK with a starting price of £22,245, which directly converts to A$42,400.While that’s not confirmation we can expect the Ioniq 3’s price to land around $40,000 on arrival in Australia, it does show Hyundai might be able to compete with small electric SUVs from China.Hyundai already sells a 'Light' SUV, the Inster, at around the $40,000 mark, so expect the bigger Ioniq 3 (which comes in at 4155mm long, 1800mm wide and 1505mm tall) to sit above that.While the Hyundai Ioniq 3 likely won’t be able to undercut small electric SUVs (which it’s smaller than) like the BYD Atto 2 (from $31,990), GWM Ora 5 (from $33,990) or Jaecoo J5 (from $36,990), Hyundai’s positioning as a more premium offering should help it entice buyers away.While it’s not set to launch here until the first half of 2027, the Ioniq 3 is also being built in Hyundai’s Türkiye factory, so importing the car from Europe will bring its own costs.However, Hyundai will be keen to make the car as competitive as possible through pricing or spec to bolster its electric car sales.Five variants of the Ioniq 3 have been confirmed for the UK with two battery-size and drivetrain set-ups.The version with a “projected WLTP range” of 344km thanks to a 42.2kWh battery and 108kW output is dubbed Standard Range, while a Long Range version with an anticipated range of 496km but lower output of 100kW is also locked in.The former is only available in the base model and brings the aforementioned £22,245 price with it, while the other drivetrain is available in the base trim as well as three higher grades.An N Line Evo variant tops the line-up at £31,945 (A$60,900).

Toyota has proven its no electric car pretender, as it beats all others in the world’s most EV dominant markets.Toyota Europe’s Communications Director Robert Tickner announced the Toyota bZ4X is the best-selling vehicle in Norway and Denmark.These are two of the most cut-throat EV markets with electric vehicles accounting for about 98 per cent of all new cars sold in Norway and more than 60 per cent in Denmark, according to reports.Toyota has bested European locals Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz, as well as international giants such as Tesla and Xpeng in the process.The Japanese giant has been heavily criticised for being slow to the electric vehicle market, with it instead betting on hybrids to plug the gap until more people were ready to plug-in.Tickner took a swipe at the haters."Toyota has been criticised by some for not going 'all in' on battery electric vehicles. For me, that's simply a misunderstanding of Toyota's strategy and the reality of true customer demand," said Tickner on LinkedIn.Toyota is now fleshing out its range of battery-powered cars to increasing success, with the company selling 12 EVs in Europe across the Toyota and Lexus brands, according to Tickner.Toyota EV sales trail Tesla, BYD and many others by a massive margin in Australia, but there are green shoots starting to appear.Sales of its bZ4X are up 330 per cent this year to 2075 examples through the first seven months.The company has scrounged around for more stock to help fill orders of the bZ4X. This extra supply is due in the coming months.Toyota just expanded its bZ4X range with the bigger Touring version, which will help boost sales Down Under.Lexus hasn’t had the same success, with its related RZ SUV only selling about 100 examples so far this year. This is still up about 180 per cent compared to the same period in 2025.The new electric version of the Lexus ES sedan is unlikely to be a huge seller.Toyota’s HiLux BEV has just arrived in the country. The all-electric workhorse doesn’t read spectacularly on paper and won’t be replacing diesel utes anytime soon, with it largely pitched to mines and government fleets needing to decarbonise.Toyota has confirmed the C-HR+ electric compact SUV will arrive in Australia in 2027. It shares its underpinnings with the recently launched Subaru Uncharted.Globally there are two configurations and two batteries available.The entry-level model has a single, front-mounted electric motor that produces 123kW and is fed by a 57.7kWh battery pack.There’s also a larger 77kWh battery pack available in the front-wheel drive version, which bumps the power output up to 165kW.There is also a range-topping dual-motor, all-wheel drive set-up with a total system output of 252kW.

BYD’s Fangchengbao brand has launched a new, entry-level version of its Tai 3 electric SUV in the domestic market.The Fangchengbao Tai 3 is the smallest model currently in its Titanium series of vehicles, which also includes the Tai 7 and most recently the flagship Tai 9 SUVs.Despite being an entry-level trim level, this new Tai 3 variant still has a second-generation BYD Blade lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack that offers ultra-rapid flash charging.The 65.3kWh LFP battery pack is capable of charging from 10 to 97 per cent in nine minutes. This allows for a claimed range of up to 510km, according to lenient CLTC testing.Power comes from a single, rear-mounted electric motor that produces 240kW and 305Nm. This is enough to send it from 0-100km/h in 6.9 seconds.Other versions of the Fangchengbao Tai 3 in China feature a larger 75.6kWh LFP battery pack that’s also capable of ultra-rapid flash charging. It can similarly be charged from 10 to 97 per cent in nine minutes.A rear-wheel drive version comes with the same 240kW electric motor, but with the larger battery pack it’s claimed to offer up to 620km of CLTC-claimed range.There’s also an all-wheel drive version, which adds a front-mounted electric motor for a total system output of 375kW. It is claimed to do the 0-100km/h sprint in 4.7 seconds.This flagship all-wheel drive version of the Tai 3 with the larger 75.6kWh LFP battery offers up to 565km of CLTC-claimed range.In China this new, entry-level version of the Tai 3 is priced from 143,800 yuan, which equates roughly to A$30,200.It’s 10,000 yuan (~A$2100) more affordable than the rear-wheel drive version with the larger 75.6kWh LFP battery pack. It’s priced from 153,800 yuan (~A$32,300).Lastly, the top-spec, all-wheel drive version of the Tai 3 is priced from 169,800 yuan (~A$35,650).BYD’s Fangchengbao brand isn’t currently offered in Australia, however a number of its models fall under the premium Denza brand locally. These include the Fangchengbao Bao 5 and Bao 8, which are called the Denza B5 and B8, respectively, in Australia.While the Fangchengbai Tai 3 hasn’t been confirmed for an Australian launch, it is launching in markets like Costa Rica and Thailand badged as the Denza B3.The latter country is notable as it’s a right-hand drive country, like Australia. This makes a local launch of this car with Denza branding a step easier.BYD has trademarked the name B3 in Australia for use as an automobile, however this does not guarantee that the Chinese carmaker plans to launch the vehicle locally. Many carmakers trademark names to ensure other carmakers don’t use them.