Electric News

Mitsubishi says its new ASX VR-e EV will be aimed more at legacy manufacturers than cheaper Chinese brands, and says it believes buyers will see the value in the brand's legacy and network. That's the word from Tim Clarke, Mitsubishi's Product Strategy Manager, who says the car that is being built in Taiwan in partnership with iPhone manufacturer Foxconn will be banking on his brand's history in Australia to justify what is likely to be a higher price than some rivals. Australian pricing is yet to be confirmed, but for context, the model has been priced in New Zealand, and spans NZ$57,990($47,050) to NZ$72,990($59,220) for the flagship GSR. "We are focused on the value proposition. So what do you get for the money that we think it should be sold for, and making sure that that's competitive amongst the market that it operates in," Clarke says. "And with this product in particular, it doesn't fit well in the small SUV category (in terms of space), even though that's where it will be counted. How do we communicate that, and leverage that, and who will that appeal to? "It's been a really interesting process for us as we've understood the product, as we've learned more about it. "So for the vehicle's content and the overall ownership experience, which we include the 10/10 warranty and the network as well, what's the value of that? "It is a pretty challenging question to put a number on it. But we do that internally and we position it accordingly. And we think versus all the vehicles that you might cross-shop it against in medium SUV, small SUV, passenger – it's a lot of different segments that we arrived at -- the value proposition is where we want it to be." Asked if he believed Australian buyers were willing to pay a premium for legacy and dealership footprint rather than opt for a cheaper newcomer Chinese brand, Mr Clarke replied: "Yeah, definitely. We think it has value for us." The VR-e will launch in Australia this year, and will arrive with four trim levels – LS, Aspire, Exceed and GSR.  All share the same 57.7kWh LFP battery, and all but the GSR get a single, rear-mounted electric motor delivering 171kW and 350Nm. Stepping up to the GSR earns you a second front-mounted motor, which not only ups the grunt to 342kW and 700Nm, but its 3.9-second sprint to 100km/h makes it the fastest production Mitsubishi ever sold in Australia.

It has taken nearly a decade of development, but Tesla has finally done it - they have made the world’s dumbest car. And, in true Tesla style, they have over-delivered on their promise (a decade in the making), making it incredibly dangerous, too.  I’m not mad at the world’s media, including many of my motoring colleagues, for falling for the hype, I’m just disappointed. Because there are some pretty major holes in what Elon Musk and his team at Tesla showed off last week. Of course, that was the point, show off some flashy gimmicks and make everyone pay attention to these wild stunts and not question the ‘how’ and the ‘why’, as well as the major safety issues it raises.  Let’s start with the obvious - it’s not a flying car. As Buzz Lightyear would say, it was “falling with style” rather than taking flight. As for its ‘flip’ over the rest of Tesla’s line-up, to say that it was ‘flying’ would be akin to saying skateboards can fly.  The demonstration, while unquestionably real and not AI and understandably attention-grabbing, was not a true reflection of what Tesla and Musk are promising. Evidence suggests it was basically a full-scale drone, with no human inside and it was seemingly just a simple ladder-frame chassis with a body on top and thrusters and fans underneath. Musk admitted that they didn’t have a human inside the car “to make sure we don't kill anyone!” Which is not particularly reassuring from a brand that has consistently ‘beta tested’ technologies on public roads with owners.  Musk also said: “Now I should say that this is not necessarily a safety optimised car, but it takes the fun meter to 11 out of 10.” I’m all for having fun with cars, but safety must come first. To be candid, most motorists have a hard enough time driving safely on the ground. Adding in the complexity of flight is simply a recipe for disaster. Tesla has said the ‘flying’ elements will be autonomous, but again, based on the autonomous functions already in cars not exactly working with a perfect track record, launching cars into the air with rocket thrusters just seems like a recipe for disaster.  It was able to climb the vertical ramp because it has a series of fans to suck it to the ground. But this is not new technology, it was introduced in Formula 1 in 1978 and more recently the McMurtry Sterling has demonstrated it too can hold itself in place upside down. Of course, no-one is actually going to drive upside down, that’s just more attention-seeking behaviour from Tesla, but it will help produce more downforce for the road and track. Lars Moravy, VP for vehicle engineering at Tesla, told US media that the car can produce so much downforce that: “When we’re accelerating, we can break the laws of tyre physics.”  Hopefully that means they’ll develop newer, stronger, physics-defying tyres. Or else I guess your tyres will be destroyed every time you accelerate too hard.  Tesla’s own disclaimer on the website makes it clear the Rocket version of the Roadster will not be available in all regions and will be “subject to each region's legal requirements and applicable laws”, which means each country will need to decide if it feels kick-flipping cars are something they want on the road.  Musk’s gloating about the car almost sounds like an admission that it will have very limited scope.  “This will be an actual car that's on the roads. I'm not sure it's necessarily legal in all jurisdictions, but there will be such a car that someone can own,” he said.  The Plan B, or perhaps it's actually Plan A, is for a purpose-built test track facility to be built at Tesla’s headquarters in Texas. That would allow those invited to own the Roadster Rocket (because it is ‘invite only’) to have their fun in a private space, leaving the roads for proper cars. Although, once again it demonstrates the cult-like pull of Tesla and its limitation. If the special Texas facility is the only place you can fulfil its full potential, what does that mean for owners who don’t live in Texas? It’s hard to imagine Porsche or Ferrari telling customers they can only drive their expensive supercar in one specific location on Earth. Finally, perhaps the most important element that has been overlooked is that what we saw was not a production car. Nearly a decade after taking US$250,000 deposits for the second generation Roadster, Tesla is still yet to actually fire up the production line. No other car company on the planet, not even Ferrari or Lamborghini, could get away with taking people’s money and not delivering a car for over a decade. Sure, they’ve said it will enter production by 2028, but they’ve said it was going into production in the near-future since 2017. The fact that this car looks nothing like the original 2017 concept is another thing only Tesla can get away with, with its blindly-loyal customers. I do feel like Tesla will eventually put the Roadster into production (although I’d only say I’m 60 per cent confident), but the fact they have focused on the Rocket version and revealed little in the way of details about the Performance and Thrust variants that people will actually be able to buy is yet another red flag. While the attention-seeking unveiling of the Roadster did what it set out to do, making headlines and distracting from the massive delays, ultimately this is a car that answers questions nobody asked. People were happy with the idea of a second-generation Roadster that wasn’t based on a Lotus Elise and felt like it was built in an industrial estate by hand (which is very much what the first generation Roadster felt like). Instead, in what has become his calling card, Musk has pushed Tesla into unchartered territory for the car industry - for better or worse. I hope I’m wrong, but it feels inevitable that we’ll be writing about the first death of a Roadster driver not long after it enters production - whenever that may be. I loved watching Back to the Future II and day-dreaming of a flying car as much as the next kid, but when I grew up I realised the pure impracticality of flying cars and the dangers they create. There’s a reason why getting your pilot’s licence takes a lot longer than getting your driver’s licence.  This feels like the automotive equivalent of Google Glasses or Apple Vision Pro, technology designed by billionaires in Silicon Valley for millionaires in Silicon Valley (or, in this case, Texas) and that makes it as dumb as it is dangerous. But, after all this, if you’re still looking to buy a Tesla Roadster so you can jump over traffic or drive up walls, don’t spend your money yet because I have some magic beans to sell you…

A new Chinese brand has been confirmed for Australia. Chery sub-brand Exlantix, known as Exeed in China, will be the latest to join the growing number of brands for Australian buyers to choose from. The news follows Exlantix’s announcement of its global ambitions as it gears up to expand to right-hand drive models out of China. Chery Group has already launched Omoda Jaecoo and Lepas in Australia, with iCaur, Freelander and Exlantix now also on the way. Sitting at the top of Chery’s brand hierarchy, Exlantix is slated to introduce next-generation solid-state battery technology in future models. Exlantix has a range of models earmarked for a global launch. The ES GT (also badged as the ES7 GT) is a fully-electric or hybrid range-extender wagon, with acceleration from 0 to 100 taking less than three seconds. The car will rival the much-anticipated, and Australia-bound Zeekr 7GT. There is also the brand’s EX9 flagship SUV that will tackle BYD’s Yangwang U8 that was just approved for sale in Australia. The smaller EX8 large SUV is another model on the agenda, while the EX7 is a mid-size SUV that is more pitched towards a sporty disposition to challenge the BYD Sealion 7 and the Zeekr 7X. The final two SUV models shown off were the ET FL and X-Concept. The ET FL is a large luxury SUV while the X-Concept is a full-size SUV designed to demonstrate best-in-class cabin space and a commanding presence. It’s not just SUVs Exlantix is planning on launching. The brand also unveiled its answer to the Denza D9 people mover with its MPV concept. Exlantix said it introduces fresh design thinking for luxury multi-seat travel. The brand will be know as Exlantix instead of Exeed in Australia, due to trademark issues with Mitsubishi's Exceed SUV. The Exlantix brand has been on Chery Group Australia Chief Operating Officer Lucas Harris’ wish list for some time. “I really like the Exeed product, and I think they make some, you know, 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.” It’s unclear at this stage exactly what models will land in Aussie showrooms or when they will arrive. Chery is working on launches for the iCaur and Freelander brands in 2027, meaning Exlantix could arrive in later in the year. Buyers will get an indication of what other models are under consideration for Australia, based on launches in other right-hand drive markets, such as the United Kingdom. It's expected the ES GT wagon will be the first model to launch under the Exlantix name Down Under, along with the ET FL.

Honda is preparing an all-new, affordable electric vehicle (EV), which could put it on a collision course with Chinese and South Korean rivals in Australia. Due to be unveiled internationally early next year, the small crossover/SUV is expected to be slightly larger than the existing Honda HR-V but smaller than the company’s ZR-V, and will be based on the 0 (as in ‘Zero series’) Alpha concept unveiled at the Japan Mobility Show some 12 months ago. While there is no confirmation as yet about an Australian debut, Honda has revealed that it is open to all EVs if they meet certain requirements. “We’re constantly looking at what’s available globally that we can bring here locally,” according to Honda Australia Director, Robert Thorp. “And through that process, we have to make sure that it can tick a lot of boxes. Whether it be from a volume perspective, whether it be from a profit perspective, and can it also find a market here as well?” To help keep the as-yet unnamed production version price competitive, it will be built in India for global consumption, with Japan set to be one of the first export destinations. As a result of leveraging a lower-cost manufacturing base, it is anticipated that pricing could kick off from about $40,000 for the entry-level grade. To put that in perspective, today’s ageing HR-V range that is sourced from Japan kicks off with the Vi petrol from $32,900 drive-away, while the e:HEV X strong hybrid is priced from $39,900 drive-away. Using a new, EV-only architecture that has been engineered for efficiency under Honda’s “Thin, Light, and Wise” development philosophy, the production 0 Alpha will feature a low-slung yet wide five-door crossover body with high ground clearances and a spacious interior for five occupants offering plenty of luggage space. It has been reported that two battery pack sizes will be offered in the electric Honda, in 61kWh and 75kWh versions, in line with rivals like the Atto 2 and Kia EV3, as well as the Skoda Epiq, Volkswagen ID Cross and other smaller EV crossovers. While declining to divulge specific details, Thorp added that his company is on the right track to offer Australian buyers what they want from the brand. “We obviously can’t provide any detail, or confirm anything we might be doing in terms of future line-up today,” he said. “But, what we do have planned in the future, and what we’re working towards, we’re pretty confident that we’ll have a line-up that will continue to connect and resonate with the market. “That includes a continuation of our strategy, which is hybrid led, but EVs when and where it makes sense.” With soaring fuel prices and the ongoing cost of living crisis, sales of smaller cars and crossovers are likely to rise, giving the company an opportunity to stake a claim against newer yet more-established players from China like BYD, Geely, GWM, MG and GAC. Honda Australia General Manager of Automotive Nick Parkington is confident of a small-car sales recovery after years of falling demand in Australia. “I’d like to think there’s probably a plateauing in terms of some of those smaller segments that have been on a long decline over a long period of time,” he believes. “For some, there might even be a resurgence. Because there is convenience, there is practicality, and in our instance (with the Super-One), there is personality, in somebody’s second car, or somebody’s Monday to Friday commute. “I think there’s space in the market for us, and other brands for that matter… to absorb a little bit of a small-car upsurgeance. “A lot of that is because of the product itself, and a lot of that is because of some very big macro-economic factors that make more economical sense.”

BYD has surged up the sales charts, but its Australian Chief Operating Officer Stephen Collins is now turning his attention to an area other brands are lagging behind in. The brand has announced an extensive after-sales revamp, confirming more than 580,000 of parts are stored in Australia, allowing it to fill 95 per cent of dealer orders locally.  BYD doesn’t just want parts to be more accessible and delivered faster. It’s also targeting a less than seven-day wait to book a service. “I think it’s a big part of the whole ecosystem that BYD is investing in. Some other brands, I won’t name them, but you probably know them, are lagging behind in this area,” Collins told CarsGuide.  “We know that some brands are way beyond that , and we think that’s just not acceptable.” The brand has opened up a parts facility in Melbourne that houses parts across 15,000 square metres and is staffed by a team of 40 people.  It’s by far BYD’s biggest parts warehouse to date, and is designed to help with speedy delivery times to dealers.   The Chinese giant said it can deliver parts to local dealers within 24 hours or at most one week for remote and rural areas.  Most interstate deliveries should take two or three days, according to BYD.  Collins said these moves are designed to build trust with existing customers and future buyers.  “I think it’s just a basic requirement and expectation for customers when you get your car serviced or something goes wrong, we have the parts available, we have the service bays available,” Collins told CarsGuide.  A report from the Australian Automotive Dealer Association (AADA) in July 2026 revealed long car repair wait times.  Dealers admitted customers, especially EV owners, can face delays of between six and eight weeks for an issue just to be diagnosed due to workshop backlogs.  The report went on to read that some manufacturing faults can even take months or years to be correctly diagnosed.  Dealers have been refusing to accept tow-ins or diagnostic work for cars not originally sold in that specific showroom.  Some dealers pointed the finger at car manufacturers for slow resolution times to faults for customers.  Collins said BYD’s decision to announce these initiatives wasn’t driven by the findings in the AADA report, nor any other political factors.   “We made the decision well before that ,” Collins said.  “We took over from an independent distributor in July last year . Before that time, we’d already made these investment decisions. “It was very much a part of our longer term strategy not driven by any pressure or any political pressure.”

In a widely anticipated move, Changan Automotive is set to take over Australian representation of its Deepal brand, side-lining independent importer-distributor Inchcape Australia. Changan Automotive has been on a hiring spree in Australia, with multiple recruitment ads for senior roles appearing on LinkedIn during the past several months, as it prepares to launch Down Under, initially with the luxury Avatr brand in 2027, led by the large 07L electric SUV and 06T mid-sized wagon. That will be followed by the Nevo nameplate, likely led by the Q05 small SUV hybrid and Q06 mid-sized SUV EV (with range-extender EV option). State-owned Changan is one of China’s biggest automotive groups, of a similar scale to Chery or SAIC, the latter the owner of MG. Inchcape Australia launched the Deepal brand here in late 2024, bringing the pure-electric S07 SUV to market as a Tesla Model Y rival. Available in a single grade, priced from $53,900, before on-road costs, the S07 is powered by a single electric motor producing 160kW and 320Nm. Following local feedback, Inchcape worked with Changan to update and recalibrate the S07’s advanced driver assist systems (ADAS) and extended service intervals from 10,000km to 20,000km. The Deepal E07 electric ‘multi-truck’ followed a year later, the SUV/ute mash-up priced from $64,900, before on-road costs, for the single-motor rear-wheel drive version, and $73,900 before on-roads for the flagship dual-motor all-wheel drive model. Unlike conventional SUVs, the E07 has a coupe-like roofline that electrically retracts to reveal a cargo section much like a ute tray. This area only has a 300kg payload, however. But a big question mark has been hanging over the brand’s third model, the entry-level  Deepal S05 compact electric SUV. The S05 has been ‘set to arrive in Australia’ for some time; initially, the third quarter of 2025, but we’re still waiting and the new distribution announcement offers a big clue as to why. With Inchcape now side-stepping the investment cost required for a new model introduction, expect the BYD Atto 3 and Kia EV3 rival to land sooner rather than later. Although the local Deepal website invites pre-orders and requests for more information, local specification is yet to be finalised. Overseas this car is available as an EV with up to 510km of CLTC range, or a range-extender electric vehicle (REEV) that pairs an electric motor with a 1.5-litre petrol engine that acts as a generator. On a side note, the arrival of Changan spells bad news for Mazda, which has a partnership with the giant manufacturer and relies on it to source its new range of electric cars, including the recently launched Mazda 6e sedan and CX-6e SUV.  Changan versions of these models will likely be cheaper than the Mazdas and more premium Deepal versions on sale in Australia.  For the Deepal handover, in what Changan and Inchcape describe as a “mutual decision” there will be a transition period commencing October 21, 2026 until March 31, 2027, during which time Changan will assume distribution responsibility. A statement announcing the shift said, “Inchcape Australia and Changan will continue to work collaboratively to ensure a smooth transition for the brand, with a focus on supporting staff, customers, dealers and partners. “All Deepal sales, servicing, warranty programs, comprehensive logistics, parts, after sales and customer support will continue with all existing customer orders honoured. “Customers will also continue to have access to factory-trained technicians, genuine Deepal parts and ongoing servicing support and diagnostic updates throughout the transition period,” it said. Commenting on the coming changeover, Inchcape Australasia Managing Director Colin Christie said, “We are proud of what we have achieved alongside Changan in establishing Deepal in Australia and helping build awareness of the brand with customers.  “Through our partnership, we have shared valuable local market expertise and supported Deepal’s successful introduction to the Australian market.” Changan Australia Managing Director Bryan Guan added, “On behalf of Changan Australia, we thank Inchcape for its partnership in establishing the Deepal brand in Australia.  “As Deepal enters its next phase in Australia, Changan will manage the transition with transparency, professionalism and respect, ensuring continuity for customers and confidence across the dealer network" he said.

Tesla has officially confirmed the Cybertruck electric pick-up will not be coming to Australia. The US electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer sent out emails earlier this morning to Australians who currently hold a deposit on the Tesla Cybertruck. “After careful consideration, plans to produce Cybertruck for Australia and New Zealand have been discontinued,” reads the email. “As a result, we’re unable to fulfil your reservation and it will be cancelled.” In addition to a refund of the deposit, Tesla is offering Australian Cybertruck reservation holders one year of Full Self-Driving (Supervised) if they order a new Model 3 or Model Y. While Tesla claimed back in mid-2025 that it was briefed on changes required to allow the Cybertruck to be approved for local sale, it appears the business case didn’t stack up. The Tesla Cybertruck was first revealed in prototype form in 2019 and after many delays, production began in 2023. At the time, the Cybertruck went up against the likes of the Ford F-150 Lightning, Chevrolet Silverado EV, GMC Sierra EV, GMC Hummer EV and Rivian R1T, among others. Demand for large electric pick-ups has since cooled, especially in North America. After intense initial demand for the Cybertruck, sales quickly dropped off. As it stands, Tesla still only offers two vehicles in Australia, the Model 3 and Model Y. The latter is firmly Australia’s best-selling EV and was the best-selling car overall for a few months earlier in 2026. Both the Model 3 and Model Y are offered with Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (Supervised) technology which allows it to drive to virtually any location itself, provided the driver is paying attention and is ready to take over at any point. Globally Tesla is still developing its Cybercab robotaxi fleet and most recently showed off its new Roadster which is capable of aerial acrobatics thanks to cold-gas thrusters. At this stage it’s unclear whether the Cybercab, nor the new Roadster will ever make their way to Australian shores, just like the Cybertruck.

Toyota recently announced it’s planning to ramp up sales of its zero- and low-emissions vehicles in Australia, but Polestar claims it’s still aiming to be under the average. The Japanese carmaker is aiming to have 30 per cent of its local sales be battery electric (BEV), plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and hydrogen fuel-cell (FCEV) by the end of 2030. “Surely that’s a conservative view, given that we’re at 25 per cent now,” said Polestar Australia Managing Director Scott Maynard. “So by the end of the decade, if you’re building 30 per cent, I would expect the market could well be running ahead of that. “So you’re still aiming to be behind.” Until the end of September this year, sales of EVs, PHEVs and FCEVs made up 27.8 per cent of the overall market share. A total of 265,870 were sold until the end of September, which is up 132.2 per cent year-on-year. There are a number of key drivers for this increase in zero- and low-emissions vehicles sales including the increase in fuel prices, more options from new brands at lucrative price points, as well as the Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) exemption for EVs, among others. The Tesla Model Y stands out as a major reason for why sales of zero- and low-emissions vehicles have grown so much. A total of 35,930 examples have been sold until the end of September, which is up 108.4 per cent year-on-year. This firmly makes it Australia’s best-selling EV. In fact it was the best-selling car overall during May, June and August this year, beating the Ford Ranger, Toyota HiLux and Toyota RAV4. With the launch of the facelifted bZ4X earlier this year and the recent addition of the new bZ4X Touring, Toyota is currently experiencing record sales of its EV. They’re almost five times more than the same point in 2025. Toyota also already has the fleet-oriented and low-volume HiLux BEV and in mid-2027 will launch the C-HR BEV as a smaller electric SUV. While 100 per cent of Polestar’s vehicles are EVs, local sales are down 10 per cent year-on-year. A total of 1681 vehicles were sold until the end of September. Polestar’s best-seller has been the Polestar 4 for a considerable period now and it’s soon gaining an SUV body style with an actual rear window. This should see sales for this model increase further.

The term ‘China speed’ is now firmly entrenched in the automotive vernacular, with engineering and design cycles coming out of carmakers from that country setting the bar ever-higher for legacy brands around the world. In response, General Motors is looking to bridge the gap by embracing the time-saving potential of AI to “cut development cycles in half” and rapidly bring high-level autonomous driving to market. That could mean a reduction from GM’s traditional four- to five-year new model development timeframe to as little as two years.  In fact, the Detroit giant says a large percentage of the US$16 billion (~A$22.8 billion) it has dedicated to research, development and manufacturing in 2026 has been directed towards modernising operations and developing new technology faster. Under the banner of ‘GM Forward’, initiatives including a Generation 4 electric vehicle platform, next-generation electrical and computing architecture, more advanced OnStar Connected Intelligence systems and a wide roll-out of fully-autonomous highway driving (following the next Cadillac Escalade in 2028) have been accelerated through the use of AI. GM said its new EV platform features the world’s first production lithium manganese rich (LMR) prismatic battery, an in-house developed low-cost chemistry designed to offer 33 per cent more energy density than lithium iron phosphate (LFP). According to GM, AI-driven computer modelling allowed its development team to test more than 300,000 battery designs before building a physical prototype, ultimately moving from its first LMR battery pack concept to formal program approval in only one month. At the same time, GM said the future platform will feature new electric motors and power electronics that require 40 per cent fewer parts in the powertrain, a third less wiring and will boast 40 times the current EV average processing power. GM added its “connected intelligence (is) transforming the everyday driving experience and helping businesses run their fleets more efficiently.” A new-generation OnStar system includes a ‘Fleet Intelligence’ function “to help fleet managers spot issues sooner, reduce downtime and manage costs across vehicle health, maintenance and fuel and energy use.” It said the system’s AI Assistant “turns that data into practical guidance” allowing fleet managers to “ask questions in natural language to quickly identify trends, improve vehicle utilisation and make more proactive decisions.” GM has already confirmed its plan to roll out “eyes-off, hands-free” autonomous highway driving with its next-generation pure-electric Cadillac Escalade IQ, due to hit the North American market in 2028, and now says it will be able to quickly expand the capability to higher-volume models thanks to AI. Confirming the broader program GM said, “Expanding autonomous capabilities to high-volume vehicles requires validation at unprecedented scale.  “That foundation starts with the trust built over more than 1.2 billion hands-free miles driven by Super Cruise customers.  “To accelerate autonomous deployment safely, our engineering teams are combining real-world data collection with frontier AI and machine learning tools.” The autonomous system combines active safety, chassis control, propulsion and other systems into a single ‘Central Compute Unit (CCU), allowing vehicles to run in-cabin AI and self-driving systems simultaneously.

Honda is working on technology to charge EVs as they drive. The Japanese brand has teamed up with civil engineering firm Taisei to develop wireless car charging technology, according to a report in AutoCar. The system embeds charging equipment into the road surface, that draws power from roadside units. Taisei and Honda will begin testing and validation in late 2026, with potential for it to be made available on future car models. It's expected this set-up will be able to charge EVs at up to 150kW. The system utilises a Dynamic Wireless Power Transfer (DWPT) to allow for an EV to charge wirelessly and while on the move. Testing will establish what pavement structures and constructions are suitable to house the technology, while also verifying if the system is capable of charging at up to 150kW. Honda’s research and development arm will create compatible transferring technology and Taisei will construct the wireless charging transfer equipment. Honda said these technologies will offer high-power wireless charging and support a wide range of vehicles from cars to trucks. The pair will initially implement the technology for logistics and transportation sectors, which includes commercial vehicles like trucks. This is because it will reduce downtime for trucks and keep them moving while charging, but in the future, this technology will be adapted for electric cars. Moving into the wireless charging space forms part of Honda’s broader plans to increase EV infrastructure, following the roll out of its ‘Honda Charge’ network in Japan. This is despite the brand investing heavily into hybrid technology from 2027 as it pivots away from the majority of its '0-Series' electric car plans. It was reported in August 2026 Honda would outsource future EV and hybrid development to India as part of a move reduce costs. Honda isn’t the only brand delving into wireless charging. Tesla has shown off a magnetic wireless charging system that uses a floor pad that could rest on a garage floor, for example. BMW piloted a similar system, where it sold factory-fitted charging pads in some select markets for its plug-in hybrid 5-Series sedan. Chinese brand SAIC Motor, owner of MG, LDV and more, ships some of its EV models with factory wireless charging pads as well.