Electric Cars

We now know the truth about how long a car battery will last.Austrian battery diagnostics specialist Aviloo has worked out which vehicles perform best when it comes to an EV battery’s state of health (SoH) over time and distance.In its 2026 Certified EV Battery Report the company has analysed more than 500,000 Aviloo ‘Flash Test’ results from 2022 to 2026 across 20 high-volume electric car models in North and South America, Europe, Australia and Asia to determine the best performers.The flash test is a three-minute diagnostic check that assesses the health and performance of an electric vehicle's high-voltage traction battery.Rather than registering a value reported by the car's on-board battery management system, the flash test “independently calculates SoH using a statistical model trained on hundreds of thousands of comparable used vehicles, factoring in mileage, age, (charge) cycle count, cell voltage spread, energy counters and other diagnostic signals.”In releasing its results Aviloo made the point that, buyers of used internal-combustion cars rely on odometer readings and service records, but was not the most accurate way to tell an EV battery's state. “The battery is the single most expensive component of an electric car, and the one with the widest variation from vehicle to vehicle.“Two used electric cars with 50,000 kilometres on the odometer might present in what appears to be identical condition but can differ by up to 10 percentage points in battery SoH,” it said.The data reflects three mileage milestones (50,000, 100,000 and 150,000 kilometres), identifying the SoH range covering 99 percent of all independently tested vehicles of that model. The company made the point, “Battery health varied within each of the 20 models tested, between models and, above all, between individual vehicles of the same model. An average per model therefore says little about a specific car."SoH can vary by up to 13.5 percentage points between the best and weakest examples of the same model,” it said.As a result the median serves as the reference point in each case.The spread across the 20 models tested was already clear at the 50,000km mark with four examples highlighted for more detailed analysis in line with their different sizes, typical use and battery types.Hyundai’s Ioniq 5 had the best SoH of the four models, with range barely falling from 335 to 321km and a spread of 37 kilometres between the extremes recorded.As one of Europe’s best-selling EVs, the VW ID.4’s potential range fell from 373 to 355km, with up to 44km between the best and the weakest vehicle at 150,000km.The Tesla Model Y, the world's best-selling car for the last three years, saw its real-world range fall from 379 to 361km at 150,000km, with a 46-kilometre difference between the best and the weakest example tested.The Nissan Nissan Leaf ZE1, with the smallest (40kWh) battery of the four models highlighted the finding that smaller batteries with more frequent charging cycles age faster on average. Across all three mileage levels analysed, the Nissan had the lowest SoH of the four models examined in detail, with its real-world range dropping from 195 to 185km.Other models that performed well after 150,000km travelled were the Mercedes-Benz EQA (93.97 SoH), BMW i4 (93.62), Hyundai Kona EV (92.95), Volvo XC40 Recharge (92.79), Ford Mustang Mach-E (92.53) and Polestar 2 (92.46).Some that didn't fare as well were the Renault Zoe (87.33) and Tesla Model 3 (88.94).Commenting on the report Aviloo CEO Dr. Marcus Berger said, “The truth in this data is that averages hide a lot. “Yes, electric car batteries age better than the myth of rapid wear suggests, but that is not the most important finding. “What matters is that battery health varies widely between models, and even more widely between individual vehicles of the same model,” he said.The Aviloo Certified EV Battery Report will now be published twice a year, drawing on the company’s global diagnostics database, which holds more than one million independent tests. 

It has never been cheaper for buyers considering an EV in Australia. Increased demand and more efficient development processes have reduced the prices of electric cars in Australia significantly. Carmakers continue to battle it out to go cheaper than their rivals, with options now appearing below the $30,000 mark.Some affordable EVs are even cheaper than traditional petrol-powered budget examples. The BYD Atto 1 has maintained its title as the cheapest electric car in Australia.The compact SUV starts from $23,990, with top-spec models costing $27,990, both before on-road costs. Until the end of the year, the BYD Atto 1 Essential grade is just $19,990 drive-away, making it not just the cheapest EV but the cheapest car in Australia.The Atto 1’s single electric motor only produces 65kW and 175Nm as standard, while its 30kWh battery is good for more than 200km of driving range (WLTP). The newest member of the below $30,000 club is the Geely EX2, which has already surged towards the top of the sales charts in Australia. The rear-wheel drive EX2 starts from $26,490, with the range-topping variant priced from $30,990, both before on-road costs. The base variant has 60kW and 150Nm from a single electric motor, along with a 35kWh battery offering 252km.GAC will launch a short-range version of its Aion UT in late 2026 that is expected to be less than $30,000, as well. The Atto 1 and Geely EX2 use before on-road costs pricing, so buyers will have to spend an extra up to $5000 on registration and other costs to drive it out of the showroom. The MG4 Urban is the cheaper front-wheel drive sibling of the MG4, available with a sharp drive-away price of $31,990.Its 110kW and 250Nm as standard bests its cheaper competition, while its more than 316km of driving range is hard to look past at its price point. While GAC’s short-range Aion UT is not here yet, the current ‘Premium’ grade starts from $31,990 (drive-away). The Aion UT boasts an electric motor that makes 150kW and 210Nm, besting the MG4 Urban with a quoted riving range of more than 400km from its 60kWh battery.The GWM Ora 5 SUV is available from $33,990, drive-away, as a new cheaper replacement for the Ora hatch.The Ora 5 makes 150kW and 260Nm from its single electric motor.BYD’s affordable EVs continue down the list, with the Dolphin hatchback ($29,990) and the bigger Atto 2 small SUV ($31,990), both before on-road costs. Leapmotor’s B05 is the brand’s cheapest car on sale, and currently is available with a $35,990, drive-away price until 30 September 2026. The B05 is a smaller SUV compared to mid-sized Leapmotor’s B10 with its fully-electric variant kicking off from $38,990, drive-away, also until 30 September 2026. The Jaecoo J5's proportions are on the larger end of the small SUV scale, making it a compelling proposition at $36,990, drive-away. The J5 has had a strong start to life in Australia, and the best-selling small SUV for May 2026. 

The Zeekr 7X could be about to get a new addition to its Australian line-up, with reports of an 85kWh fast charging battery variant being added to the range.The news comes fresh out of China where government regulations require carmakers to publicly publish the specifications of upcoming vehicles. Zeekr’s published filing details an upcoming rear-wheel drive 7X that is the same in every way to the current model, but will have a bigger 85kWh battery. It offers quick charging and impressive range, while keeping weight and cost down.The new 85kWh battery for the Zeekr 7X is a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery, up from the 75kWh unit in the current base 7X in Australia.Currently the 7X line-up consists of a 75kWh LFP battery variant and a 100kWh nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) battery variant. NMC batteries are more energy dense and heavy, but offer long ranges and more power. LFP on the other hand are more thermally stable, can handle being charged more often to 100 per cent and are cheaper as they do without certain rare metals such as cobalt.Zeekr hasn’t disclosed the range of the 85kWh battery, but it will fall between the 480km (WLPT) range of the 75kWh unit and the 615km (WLPT) of the 100kWh NMC battery.An electric vehicle with more than 500km of real world driving range is a preferable choice and the 85kWh battery is likely to offer this extra distance over the 75kWh variant.CarsGuide has reached out to Zeekr Australia to find out if and when the 85kWh variant will join the 7X line-up, but the company has yet to respond.As for the price Australians could expect this to fall between the $57,900 list price of the  75kWh 7X and the $63,900 of the 100kWh 7X.

A new affordable hot hatch had been detailed in China ahead of its expected Australian arrival.The Ora 5 GT shapes up as a cut-price rival to the Suzuki Swift Sport, Volkswagen Polo GTI, and soon-to-be phased out petrol-powered Hyundai i20 N ($37,500).Unlike the previous Ora GT, which was simply a trim level of the Ora 5 hatchback's predecessor, the Ora 5 GT looks to add genuine performance enhancements this time around.It is the latest addition to GWM’s Ora 5 line-up that consists of hatchback, SUV, sedan and wagon variants, with petrol, conventional hybrid and fully-electric set-ups available. Like the rest of the Ora 5 line-up, the GT is available in all three powertrains, petrol, hybrid and EV.The hybrid set-up is the most powerful of three, making 166kW and 476Nm from its 1.5-litre four cylinder turbo-petrol engine and electric motor.GWM said the car is fitted with a European-tuned chassis, and has a top speed of 193km/h, proving its pedigree as a more serious performance option. From the outside, the Ora 5 GT has two sharp creases either side of a central bonnet strip for a striking look to differentiate from other variants. It is available in a bright yellow or black exterior paint, with blacked out elements, including side mirrors and a big roof-mounted rear spoiler.On the inside, there is a small pop-out digital driver display and larger tablet-sized central touchscreen, with sporty bucket-style seats.Petrol variants of the Ora 5 GT start from 99,800 yuan, which is roughly A$20,000, while hybrid variants start from 109,800 yuan, or about A$22,500.Fully-electric variants are the most expensive in the range, starting from 129,800 yuan, or almost A$27,000.When Chinese cars are imported into Australia, they are usually incur a 20 to 30 per cent increase, so expect the Ora 5 GT to be a in excess of $30,000 by the time it gets here.The pure combustion version is also the least likely of the three variants to make it to Australia, given our country's new vehicle efficiency standards (NVES) are cracking down non-hybrid or electric powertrains into the future.In addition, GWM's Australian division has previously earmarked the Ora sub-brand as an important emissions-reducing part of its fleet going forward.The local branch confirmed the Ora 5 electric hatch is on its way here, indicating there is strong potential for this high-performance example to arrive as well.The Ora 5 hatch is scheduled for a late 2026 arrival, but it could stretch into early 2027, so expect the GT to arrive at a later date.The Ora 5 SUV went on sale in mid-2026, and has already registered more than 1000 sales in the few months since. GWM Australia is keen to make the most of the Ora 5 line-up Down Under, with a spokesperson confirming the recently-revealed wagon variant is also under consideration for local launch. 

Ford Australia has confirmed it will add a new member to its Transit van family in the form of the ‘City’ electric van, a product of its joint venture with Jiangling Motors (JMC) in China.The 2026 Ford Transit City is confirmed for an Australian launch in November this year, with a competitive drive-away price of just $50,000.Confirmed as part of an event the brand called ‘Ford Uncovered’ to announce this and two other new cars, the Bronco Basecamp and Mustang Dark Horse with T8 pack, the new Transit City will be covered by Ford’s new seven-year/unlimited kilometre warranty.Ford also confirmed the launch of its Ford Pro ‘ecosystem’ for businesses and business owners to manage their Ford commercial vehicles or fleets.While not specifically altered for Australia in any major sense, the Transit City has undergone Ford’s global testing and is already available in the UK and Europe.The 2026 Transit City comes in one specification, with a front-mounted 110kW electric motor drawing power from a 56kWh lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) battery.Ford says a WLTP city range of 380km is enough to serve the Transit City’s intended purpose of urban and city work and transport. Its 254km combined WLTP range will seem underwhelming to some.The Transit City’s DC charging rate sits at 87kW, allowing a 33-minute charge from 10 to 80 per cent, though Ford says 10 minutes of charging adds up to 68km of range. 11kW AC charging means 5.5 hours to charge from 10 to 100 per cent.Ford quotes a payload capacity of 1085kg, and says its cargo space of 6.4m3 is enough to hold three Euro pallets or two Australian pallets.The Transit City also features an ADAS suite with AEB, front and rear parking sensors plus a rear camera, and adaptive cruise control with lane departure warning.Inside, a 12.3-inch multimedia touchscreen features wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and Ford has forgone optional extras to simplify the offering in terms of features.Ford also confirmed it’s launching the Ford Pro ‘ecosystem’ here in Australia, which allows Ford commercial vehicle owners and fleet operators to see data and manage servicing, finance and downtime using Ford’s software."Our seven-year warranty is a strong commitment to our retail and commercial customers that we've got their backs for longer," said Greg Davidson, Director of Ford’s Customer Service Division."That's a century of trust, earned one repair, one service, one honest conversation at a time, and Ford Pro builds on that legacy to keep our commercial customers' businesses moving.“Ultimately, this is about giving Ford owners real confidence, not just in the vehicle they've bought, but in the brand they've bought into."

Premium electrified people movers are growing in popularity, propelled by the VW ID. Buzz EV, as well as Chinese brands like Zeekr and Denza. The XPeng X9 is the latest, with comparatively keen pricing, a huge list of standard features and impressively advanced tech, including air suspension. Great on paper, but we have doubts on some fronts, given our experiences with the Performance AWD model.

Volkswagen appears to have a  monster hit on its hands, as buyers line-up to get their hands on its latest machine.The new Volkswagen ID.Polo electric hatchback has more than 30,000 pre-orders, according to AutoNews.The frantic rush of buyers trying to jump into a ID.Polo has overwhelmed the brands expectations, with customers now facing a 10 month wait.Volkswagen’s little electric car has just gone on sale in Europe, and it appears its success will mean any future Australian arrival could be pushed back to meet demand on the continent.The German brand’s new entry-level electric car will go head-to-head with the new wave of cut-price EVs from China, such as the MG4, BYD Dolphin and GWM Ora 5.It is priced from the equivalent of about $41,000 in Germany, so expect it to be more if it arrives Down Under.Volkswagen is offering three electric motor choices: 85kW, 99kW or 155kW. The German brand has also confirmed a 166kW GTI version, but it won’t launch until next year in Europe.Lower grade versions will use a 37kWh battery, offering a driving range of 329km (WLTP), while higher specifications get 454km (WLTP) of range from a 52kWh unit. Volkswagen has previously said the ID.Polo has a max charging rate of 105kW. The ID.Polo is spawning a range of electric cars including the Volkswagen ID.Cross little electric SUV, Skoda Epiq and Cupra Raval.AutoNews also reported the ID.Cross had received very strong interest ahead of its arrival in European showrooms later this year.Skoda’s version of the ID.Polo, the Epiq, also has more than 35,000 orders.“The Epiq is generating very strong customer interest. We have clearly struck a nerve,” a Skoda spokesperson told Autonews.Cupra’s version, called Raval, also has a long wait list, with reports the Raval and Epiq orders stretch into May of 2027.Volkswagen has been struggling recently as sales in China, and of its first round of global electric cars, failed to fire.It has also experienced huge issues with its CARIAD software department, which has been losing billions of dollars.Volkswagen’s board has recently approved to cut 50,000 jobs, close several factories, cut half of the group’s models and even possibly delete the Seat brand.

A new affordable electric sedan could be headed our way.The GWM Ora 5 Sedan has appeared in Chinese government approval filings as it gears up for launch later this year.At 4758mm long, the Ora 5 is smaller than the Toyota Camry, but will still provide competition for the popular Japanese hybrid sedan.The Ora 5 Sedan will be available in petrol, conventional hybrid and fully-electric set-ups, so its variants cover a broad spectrum of buyers.The Ora 5 Sedan EV will rival the BYD Seal and Tesla Model 3, while petrol variants will tackle the Mazda 3.There are limited details available for the Ora 5 Sedan at this stage.Petrol variants use a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine, making 135kW and 275Nm, while the hybrid adds an electric motor to boost power to 166kW and 476Nm.The Ora 5 Sedan EV has a single electric motor, producing 150kW and 260Nm. The front of the Ora 5 Sedan looks similar to other Ora 5 variants with a bubble-like headlight design and an overall rounded look.It has traditional door handles, and from the back, sports a single continuous rear light bar, along with a sloping roofline.GWM Australia has not confirmed if the Ora 5 Sedan will arrive in Australia, but the brand is keen to focus on the name here."In terms of the levels of adoption that we expect to see within this market, within the coming years, we expect (hybrids) to accelerate more quickly," GWM Australia Head of Marketing and Communications Steve Maciver told CarsGuide in late 2025."We think we can do a lot more with Ora… with plug-in hybrid, but EV will certainly come behind that as well, for sure."The electric Ora 5 SUV has already launched in Australia, with a hybrid variant expected to arrive soon.GWM has also confirmed an Ora 5 electric hatchback is on the way for Australia.In August 2026, the Ora 5 GT wagon was approved for sale in China, with the local branch confirming the car was under consideration for Australia.GWM Australia has been contacted for comment to see if the Ora 5 sedan will launch in Australia.

Buyers are about to get their first look at the next wave of EVs coming to Australia. The 2026 Everything Electric Sydney event will showcase many of the latest EVs headed Down Under, and will have a record number of new examples on show.Many affordable Chinese plug-in hybrid and fully-electric cars will be available to look at, as well as some of the most anticipated new cars on their way to Australia. There will be plenty of new models put on show for the first time by Chery. Chery’s European-styled sub-brand Lepas will have two of its new models about to hit Aussie showrooms on display. The Lepas L6 electric mid-size SUV will be the brand’s first car put on sale in Australia, due in October 2026. Lepas will also show off its smaller L4 electric SUV that is expected to arrive Down Under in 2027. Chery’s adventure-focused sub-brand iCaur will introduce its V25 rugged SUV for the first time.The V25 is scheduled to arrive in early 2027 with a range-extender hybrid set-up to rival the plug-in hybrid Denza B5. Chery and Omoda Jaecoo will debut new models at the show as well, with more details to be revealed closer to the event. Zeekr will unveil its hugely-anticipated 7GT electric wagon publicly for the first time. The 7GT takes aim at Europe’s elite luxury models the Audi S5, BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class. Earmarked for a late 2026 or early 2027 arrival, the 7GT will be the popular Chinese brand’s fourth model on sale Down Under. Geely will continue its new model surge in Australia, with the introduction of two SUVs to its line-up. The brand has not revealed any more specific details about what the models are. They will join the mid-sized fully-electric EX5 and plug-in hybrid Starray EM-i that have both experienced a positive sales return so far. Geely is on the up in Australia, with its methodical approach to introducing models seeing it claim solid sales results.GWM is another brand to have a strong presence at Everything Electric. The brand’s new-generation Haval H7 mid-size SUV will be on show, scheduled to launch Down Under later in 2026. It is expected to be available in both five- and seven-seater configurations, giving it a wider family appeal. GWM will also have a more affordable PHEV ute on display. The GWM Cannon PHEV is pitched as a cheaper and smaller sibling to the Cannon Alpha PHEV, and could undercut the confidently-selling BYD Shark 6. The Cannon PHEV is expected to officially launch in Australia in October 2026. MG’s U9 electric ute will be on display for the first time in New South Wales at the show. The U9 is one of few electric utes targeting the Australian market, along with the low-volume Toyota HiLux BEV. MG’s luxury sub-brand IM will put its LS9 large SUV on display. The LS9 is a six-seater SUV that provides competition for the popular Zeekr 9X. It could launch in Australia in later 2026 or early 2027. Hyundai will present its Staria Load Electric van for the first time in Australia. The Staria Load EV will join diesel- and hybrid-powered variants of the car already on sale. It will battle in an increasingly competitive electric van segment against the Kia PV5 and affordable Chinese rivals, including the LDV eDeliver 7. Forthing will show off an electric people mover that will launch in 2027. Forthing currently only sells its Taikon 5 mid-size SUV in Australia, available as a range-extender hybrid or fully-electric. Cadillac’s new Lyriq V performance SUV will be on show. It is the brand’s first of its V-Series, boasting as the fastest Cadillac ever. It will join the standard Optiq, Vistiq and Lyriq SUVs Down Under in early 2027. Cadillac Lyriq-VChery and Omoda Jaecoo new models Forthing electric people moverTwo Geely SUVsGWM Haval H7 and Cannon PHEVHyundai Staria Load ElectriciCaur V25IM LS9Lepas L6 and L4MG U9 EVZeekr 7GT

Latest sales data shows buyers now prefer cheap EVs to budget petrol hatchbacks in Australia.More affordable EV models have hit the Aussie market in the last year, with Chinese brands putting forward competitive propositions.Cheap petrol-powered hatchbacks the Mazda2 and Toyota Yaris used to be staples for first-car buyers, but it looks like that's starting to change.The electric-only BYD Atto 1 and Geely EX2 are affordable routes into the electric car market for buyers, and its showing on the sales charts in 2026.The petrol- and hybrid-powered MG3 is the best-selling light car in Australia this year, but it's attracting competition from electric Chinese rivals. The Geely EX2 has had a bumper start to life in Australia since it went on sale in late July 2026.It's approaching nearly 2000 examples sold in a little over a month, compared to the MG3’s roughly 5500 across the year so far.In August alone, the EX2 held nearly 38 per cent of the market share in the light car segment. It was close to doubling the MG3’s August total, while it was confidently ahead of the petrol-only Mazda2. Its success is in part due to the fulfilment of extensive pre-orders.Geely's Director of Product Planning and Marketing Andrew Tuitahi recently told CarsGuide small EVs like the EX2 were showing promising signs of reigniting interest in the light car segment.“So a lot of the compromises that you typically make if you were going to buy a b-segment or a light hatchback - things like drivetrain, power, performance, safety, style, you know, space - a lot of those things are solved with a battery electric platform," Tuitahi said.“So I think consumers are able to prioritise maybe some features by sacrificing a segment, but still getting that same space.”It’s not just EX2 that is shaking up the established affordable car segment. The BYD Atto 1 is still the cheapest electric car on sale in Australia, and owns nearly 20 per cent of the light car segment in 2026 so far. The Atto 1 and EX2’s rise has been at the expense of its petrol competition.The MG3’s August represented a more than 80 per cent increase on July, but it was still a way off the EX2. Its sales so far in 2026 are down nearly 11 per cent compared to August 2025. The Toyota Yaris hybrid has experienced a near 30 per cent decline year-to-date in AustraliaThe new wave of affordable EVs are also beating its petrol competitors on price. Buyers may have previously felt priced out by the extra money an EV cost, but the tides are turning.The Atto 1’s $23,990 price tag undercuts the Mazda2 ($27,290) and Toyota Yaris ($29,190), all before on-roads.In addition to fast and cheap EV production cycles from China, brands must contend with fines for petrol-powered models under the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES).Mazda increased the price of its entire range, including the Mazda2 earlier this year, while the Toyota Yaris became a hybrid-only model in 2024, ditching cheaper petrol variants. MG is currently offering the MG3 with a $19,990 drive-away deal, with it previously available from $21,990. If buyers want a hybrid variant of the MG3, it costs an extra roughly $8000, making it more expensive than the fully-electric Atto 1 and EX2.