Geely EX5 News

Electric cars are finally having their moment. As petrol and diesel prices soar, it appears everyone on the fence about buying an electric vehicle (EV) have taken the plunge. Having steadily hovered around the 10 per cent total market share for the past 18 months, EVs accounted for more than 16 per cent in April. That means approximately one-in-six cars sold last month were battery-powered. But perhaps even more interesting than just the total number of EVs sold, was who was selling them. The days of Tesla dominating the electric market appear to be over, with several new names emerging as popular options for Australians. Here are five of the most in-demand EVs in 2026. BYD Sealion 7 For all the hype around BYD’s Shark 6 ute and cut-price Atto 1, the real star for the brand is its mid-size SUV. The Sealion 7 isn’t just a popular EV, it’s also one of the most popular SUVs on the market and was the seventh best-selling vehicle in April. Sales are up 342.2% year-to-date, but it isn’t just a sudden surge in the wake of the fuel crisis. The Sealion 7 has been a popular choice almost since it arrived. It was the eighth most popular SUV in its segment in 2025, behind some of the biggest names in the market - Toyota RAV4, Mitsubishi Outlander, Kia Sportage and Subaru Forester. So regardless of what happens with fuel prices in the coming months, the Sealion 7 looks set to remain a popular choice for anyone looking for a mid-size SUV, electric or otherwise. Geely EX5  If there is a biggest winner of the current surge in EV sales it is the Geely’s EX5. Sales are up 415.4% year-to-date, peaking with 1202 in April alone.  That’s up from an average of just 328 sales per month in 2025 and its jump demonstrates that it is genuine demand in EVs, not simply availability, that is driving this current boom. The EX5 was already one of the most affordable EVs on the market, starting at just $41,990, so if it was simply price and choice creating this sales increase in electric options there’s no reason it wouldn’t have started last year. Instead, Geely is taking advantage of its appealing price and benefiting as Australian buyers look for a way to beat the pain at the pump. Zeekr 7X  While it doesn’t have the sheer volume of others on this list, selling only 2698 examples so far in 2026, the 7X is proving to be consistently popular while growing in sales. It’s not surprising that it isn’t selling in bigger volumes like the BYD and Geely, as it is positioned as a more premium offering with a starting price of $57,900  that stretches to $72,900 for the flagship Performance AWD model. But averaging nearly 675 sales per month to start 2026, with a spike of 973 sales in April, it’s clear that the 7X is an EV with a growing following. Kia EV3  You may have noticed a theme with the previously mentioned models, as the newer Chinese brands have claimed the role of EV leaders. But one of the established brands holding its own is Kia. Not all of its EVs are proving a sales hit, with the larger EV6 and EV9 still returning relatively modest sales numbers, but the smaller EV3 is doing well. Sales are up 150.2 per cent year-to-date, helping it become the most popular small electric SUV in its price range. The EV3 has garnered critical acclaim and has been slowly building a customer base, likely appealing to those looking to make the electric switch with a brand they know and trust. Sales of the larger EV5 are also up in 2026, but nowhere near to the same level, increasing only 28.7 per cent as it competes directly against the Sealion 7, EX5 and even the 7X. Toyota bZ4X Compared to the other cars on this list the total 2026 sales of just 1323 looks a bit poor, but when you consider how the bZ4X has performed previously it is having a breakout moment. Toyota’s first EV averaged less than 87 sales per month in 2025 but in 2026 it is averaging 330 sales per month so far; peaking at 483 sales in April. This is likely thanks to a renewed marketing push from Toyota, the RAV4 changeover and the high petrol prices leading Australian buyers to give it another look. How long this continues remains to be seen, but given the struggle Toyota has had with this model so far, this is a definite bright spot for the bZ4X.

Year-to-date registration data from the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) and the Electric Vehicle Council (EVC) show ‘electrified’ passenger and light commercial vehicles have crossed a significant tipping point to become a more popular choice than traditional diesel and purely petrol-powered internal combustion engine (ICE) options in Australia. To the end of April, sales of battery electric, hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles stood at 50,976 units, a 79.2 per cent increase on the same four-month period in 2025 (28,448 units). At the same time, sales of ICE vehicles (including light commercials but not heavy trucks) have dropped 35.9 per cent from 64,991 in 2025 to 47,813 units this year. Tellingly, sales of pure battery electric vehicles (BEVs) have grown by just over 100 per cent, with key players BYD up 110.8 per cent (25,243 vs 11,974) and Tesla 49.9 per cent year-on-year (8485 vs 5660). Individual (higher volume) stand-out BEV models include the BYD Sealion 7 and Dolphin, Geely EX5, Kia EV3, Tesla Model Y and Toyota bZ4X. And when it comes to hybrids, thanks to better supply of the new-generation version, the ever-popular Toyota RAV4 has come up to its more usual monthly sales rate and has been joined by its big-brother LandCruiser 300 Hybrid. Add in other relatively recent hybrid arrivals like the Chery Tiggo 4 Hybrid joining now established disrupters like the BYD Shark 6 and GWM Cannon Alpha and hybrid sales are set to expand even further.  Clearly, April 2026 marked a historical moment in time for the Aussie new vehicle market.

Electric vehicle sales are booming in a way they never have before in Australia.  Buyer options have increased significantly in 2026, with more affordable choices also appearing more regularly.  There were 15839 electric vehicle sales for March in 2026, up from 8385 compared to this time last year, representing a near 89 per cent year-on-year growth.  Established SUV players such as the Tesla Model Y lead the way with 2818 sales, along with the BYD Sealion 7 (1970).  There are also some new competitors climbing up the sales charts, such as the Zeekr 7X performance SUV, which managed 679 registrations for March, having launched late last year. The Tesla Model 3 sedan (667) continues to be present among the top sellers despite its prolonged downturn. The SUV trend continues as Geely’s EX5 (606) and the Kia EV5 (587) are next on the list, before BYD’s presence resumes with the Atto 2 small SUV (572).  Another new EV making an early impression is the Jaecoo J5, which launched at the start of this year and achieved 569 sales last month.  The BYD Atto 1 (488) and Atto 2 (466) also make the list along with the Kia EV3 (461).  Hatchbacks are proving popular amongst EV buyers as well. The MG4 (451) remains among the strongest selling EVs, as does the BYD Dolphin (373).  The Toyota bZ4X is also experiencing an upturn to 447 sales for March and BYD is represented again with its Seal sedan (337) to round out the top 15.  Top selling electric cars Australia March 2026

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 here You 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 here Ford’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 here The 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 here Kia’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

Geely has updated its EX5 small SUV, with it now featuring a bigger battery and more driving range.  It will start from $1000 more than the previous model at $41,990, before on-road costs. The up-spec grade of the car has also increased by $1000, starting from $45,990.  The EX5 is significantly cheaper than one of its key rivals in the Hyundai Elexio, which starts from $58,990, before on-road costs.  The Elexio features a more high-end level of trim than the EX5, but Hyundai will launch a new entry-level Elexio landing in Australia in Q2 2026, with a sharper price point. The EX5 remains more expensive than the BYD Atto 3, which has a starting price of $39,990, before on-road costs.  The EX5 offers a more affordable price point, and its newly-upgraded 68.39kWh battery and 475km (WLTP) driving range adds to the package. It continues to offer more driving range than the base Atto 3's 50kWh battery and 345km (WLTP), while the Elexio bests it with a 88kWh battery offering 546km.  On the power front, the EX5 is about on par with the Atto 3 and the Elexio, producing 160kW and 320Nm from a single front-mounted electric motor.  Other changes to the latest EX5 include a faster charging cable and a cargo blind as standard, while the popular jungle green colour is now available as a premium paint option. The EX5 had a strong first year in the Aussie market, as one of the best-selling EVs for 2025, beating that of the Atto 3.  It will look to chase down the Kia EV5 in 2026, which was the best-selling small EV SUV last year, with a starting price of $56,770, before on-road costs.    2026 Geely EX5 pricing Australia   2026 Geely EX5 electric motor and efficiency   2026 Geely EX5 standard features   Other standard features include Heated front seats Powered front seats Keyless entry and start Rain-sensing wipers Satellite navigation Inspire grade adds 19-inch alloy wheels 16-speaker premium audio system 13.4-inch head-up display Power tailgate Ambient lighting Ventilated front seats Massaging front seats Memory driver seat     2026 Geely EX5 safety The Geely EX5 has a maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating.    Standard safety features:  Rear parking sensors Auto emergency braking Adaptive cruise control Front cross-traffic alert Rear cross-traffic alert Lane keep assist Traffic sign recognition Lane change assist Blind-spot assist Evasive manoeuvre assist     2026 Geely EX5 dimensions 2026 Geely EX5 warranty The Geely EX5 comes with a seven-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty and eight-year/unlimited-kilometre battery warranty.  There is also up to seven years of roadside assistance available. 

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Why Geely isn't flooding the market with new models.

Apple-loving Geely drivers rejoice! Your Geely EX5 electric SUV now has Apple CarPlay.

Geely has detailed an updated version of its EX5 electric SUV over in China that comes with the option of a larger battery pack. As reported by Car News China, presales of this long-range Geely EX5 are set to start on July 24. In the Chinese domestic market this electric SUV is called the Geely Galaxy E5. Highlighting this update is the availability of a larger 68.4kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack that’s claimed to offer 610km of range according to lenient CLTC testing. This bolsters the existing 49.5kWh and 60.2kWh LFP battery pack options. Only the latter is offered in Australia and it offers up to 440km of range according to WLTP testing. All versions of the EX5 are powered by a single, front-mounted electric motor that produces 160kW of power and 320Nm of torque. Beyond the larger battery pack, there are also two new exterior paint colours. They’re called ‘Dawn Blue’ and ‘Evening Forest Green’. In Australia there are five exterior paint colours offered. They’re called ‘Arctic White’, ‘Shadow Black’, ‘Volcanic Grey’, ‘Moonlit Silver’ and ‘Aquatic Green’. At this stage it’s unclear whether this updated Geely EX5 with the larger battery option will ever be offered outside of China. “While we cannot confirm any additions to the Geely Auto Australia range at this time, we are continuously monitoring market trends and consumer behaviours to ensure our product range aligns with the preferences of local customers,” said a Geely Auto Australia spokesperson. The Geely EX5 launched in Australia earlier this year in two trim levels - Complete and Inspire - as a cut-price rival to the likes of the Tesla Model Y and Kia EV5. It starts at $40,990 before on-road costs. The Chinese carmaker has just opened a register your interest portal on its website for its next vehicle, the Starray EM-i, which is essentially a plug-in hybrid version of the EX5. It’s set to arrive in the fourth quarter of 2025 and be a rival to the likes of the BYD Sealion 6 and Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV.

A long-range version of the Geely EX5 has leaked in homologation filings in its home market of China less than three months after the budget electric model launched in Australia.