EV News

Why this big commercial brand has electric vehicles, but won't need them any time soon in Australia.

Tesla is Australia’s most popular electric vehicle (EV) brand… but for how much longer?

A new engine from this Geely joint-venture promises 40 per cent lower consumption compared to rivals.

The all-new plug-in hybrid Audi RS5 is the latest member of the new breed of near-guilt-free performance cars.Available as either a sedan or roomier Avant wagon, the RS5 delivers epic levels of power but blends its supercar-troubling acceleration with zero-emissions on your daily commute, thanks to an EV-only range of more than 80km.Locked in for an Australian debut in the second half of this year, CarsGuide travelled to Munich, on the eve of its global reveal, to discover its secrets and find out if the first-ever Audi RS plug-in hybrid has what it takes to overshadow the likes of the BMW M3 and the fellow electrified Mercedes-AMG C63.It's the ballistic Benz C63 (500kW/1000Nm) that wins the arms race for outright punch, with the Audi RS plug-in producing a lesser 470kW of power and a still-thumping 825Nm torque output, but the RS5 fights back to win enthusiasts' hearts because beneath its bonnet it eschews the C63's four-cylinder engine and gains the Audi-Porsche-developed twin-turbocharged 2.9-litre V6 that, alone, pumps out 375kW.Helping it muster the total power output, the combustion engine is combined with a 130kW electric motor, 25.9kWh lithium-ion battery, plus an eight-speed automatic and Audi Sport's next-generation 'quattro' all-wheel drive.The latter gains a new centre differential, plus a trick rear transaxle that incorporates yet another tiny 8kW e-motor that's used for torque vectoring.Off the line, thanks to all-wheel drive, the Audi RS5 launches from 0-100km/h in just 3.6 seconds and, if you tick the box for the optional Audi Sport pack, the sedan and wagon keep accelerating until they top out at 285km/h. The same pack also adds carbon ceramic brakes and larger 21-inch rims.The choice by Audi Sport to develop its first-ever plug-in hybrid powertrain had little to do with emissions, engineers claim, and say the added weight of the battery and e-motors was well worth gaining the trick 400-volt electrics.That said, the mid-size RS5 sedan now tips the scales at a portly 2355kg, while the wagon is a hefty 2370kg – 625kg more than the, admittedly smaller, pair of RS models they replace.We'll have to take their word for it, but thanks to the extra torque vectoring, a new front and rear axle designed by Audi RS, plus retuned steering and trick twin-valve dampers, the German car-maker is confident that when it comes to agility and driving pleasure you'll pick the RS5 over all its rivals.In the metal, we think quite a few owners might plump for the Audi for its styling alone as designers have left little on the table to ensure the new RS5 sedan and wagon look special.Featuring wider front and rear fenders that are 90mm wider than the standard A5, the RS5 features a wider 3D single-frame honeycomb grille and unique front and rear bumpers that incorporate advanced aerodynamics that culminate in a large oversized rear diffuser.So much has changed that just the bonnet, roof and rear tailgate, plus the front doors carry over, with the RS5 gaining muscular, almost cartoonish superhero proportions that guarantee you won't mistake it for the standard car, especially if you add the new 'Carbon Camouflage'. The no-doubt-pricey option throws in exposed forged carbon trim on the side skirts, door mirrors and parts of the front and rear bumpers for some extra Lamborghini-style kerb appeal.Inside, the changes aren't so dramatic, but you'll still be greeted by a pair of heavily bolstered massage sport seats and an RS flat-bottomed Nappa-leather-wrapped steering wheel, combined with lots of synthetic-suede-wrapped surfaces, colour-coordinated seat belts and tonnes of RS logos.Final changes include RS graphics for the digital dash, the 14.5-inch infotainment and 10.9-inch passenger display, that provide keen drivers with access to performance data like G-forces, temps and tyre pressures plus lap times.Of course, even without driving it, we know that the RS5 isn't perfect. Not only does the plug-in hybrid tech add weight, it sacrifices space in the rear boot and the RS4-replacing RS5 Avant can only offer up to 331 litres of space.The new battery, meanwhile, can't be DC fast-charged for some reason, which means an 11kW AC charge for a full refill takes 2.5 hours.Finally, all that tech and enhanced performance will be felt not only behind the wheel but in the pocket.While prices haven't been announced Down Under, in Germany the Audi RS5 sedan has been priced from €106,200 (A$178,100), while the Audi RS5 Avant wagon costs €107,850 (A$180,100). Those figures represent a huge 20 per cent price bump over the models they replace, suggesting similar price rises are inevitable when Audi Australia introduces the plug-in hybrid RS5 in the second half of this year.

Ford has shared early details of the first product to be underpinned by the global giant’s ‘Universal Electric Vehicle platform’, “a US$30,000 mid-size pick-up” at the same time reiterating the project team’s goal of making “vehicles assembled on this platform affordable for the average family”.Inspired by Henry Ford’s vision for mass availability of the original Model T, the new ute targeted to cost the equivalent of around A$42,500 is likely to be revealed this year with production following in 2027.It’s the first output from the Blue Oval’s ‘skunkworks’ engineering team in California and according to Ford’s Executive Director of Advanced Electric Vehicle Development Alan Clarke, his team has set design and engineering ‘bounties’ or goals aimed at “democratizing electric vehicles” (and it’s fair to assume, compete more effectively against emerging Chinese brands).“The introduction of these bounties is a key element to how the team has been able to really tangibly show every engineer, every product designer, how they impact the customer and cost of the vehicle on a daily basis as they do their work,” Clarke said.A fundamental cost-saving move is adoption of large alloy ‘unicast’ sections in the style of Tesla’s ‘Gigacasting’ process, an approach also used on a variety of EV models from BYD, Volvo, XPeng, Zeekr and others. A non-linear ‘assembly tree’ manufacturing process is also inspired by Tesla’s ‘Unboxed’  tech introduced by the EV pioneer in 2023.It divides assembly into smaller, parallel, modular sub-pieces rather than a single, continuous manufacturing line.Ford said sub-assemblies will include a front and rear module, as well as a battery that serves as the vehicle’s floor, the combination replacing 146 structural components used on the similarly-size Maverick ute.At the same time, the ute’s ‘zonal architecture’ groups multiple functions into five electric control units (ECUs), compared with 30 or more in prior systems, while other key functions are managed via a single ‘Energy Management Unit’.Ford said the UEV ute’s wiring harness will be more than 1200 metres shorter and 10kg lighter than the one currently used in its Mach-E electric SUV.In fact, Ford CEO Jim Farley has publicly voiced his disappointment with the Mach-E’s  teardown performance relative to the Tesla Model Y where the Mach-E proved to be less efficient, significantly heavier and more complex in its construction.“We have all lived through far too many ‘good college tries’ by Detroit automakers to make affordable vehicles that end up with idled plants, layoffs and uncertainty. So, this had to be a strong, sustainable and profitable business. From Day 1, we knew there was no incremental path to success. “We empowered a tiny skunkworks team three time zones away from Detroit. We tore up the moving assembly line concept and designed a better one. And we found a path to be the first automaker to make prismatic LFP batteries in the U.S."The (UEV) platform reduces parts by 20 per cent versus a typical vehicle, with 25 per cent fewer fasteners, 40 per cent fewer workstations dock-to-dock in the plant and 15 per cent faster assembly time as well as lower cost of ownership over five years than a three-year-old used Tesla Model Y,” he said.The new ute’s aero and powertrain efficiency have also been finely tuned to maximise driving range and reduce charging time. Examples cited include a flush underbody, compact exterior mirrors and careful profiling of the load bed.And Ford claims the ute’s in-house electrical architecture design will shorten charging time and improve battery management performance.Time will tell whether these production investments (including approximately US$2 billion to transform its Louisville Assembly Plant) deliver more affordable products while making Ford’s underperforming EV line-up (including the Mach-E and now discontinued F-150 Lightning) profitable.CarsGuide contacted Ford Australia for comment on the prospect of right-hand drive production and local sale of the new ute and was told it had “nothing to add from an Australian point-of-view”.

Volkswagen has finally announced pricing for key plug-in hybrid versions of its strong-selling Tiguan mid-size SUV, and its larger Tayron spin-off.The German giant has made the new ‘eHybrid’ versions of each car available in two variants at two power levels for the mid-grade Elegance and top-spec R-Line.The eHybrid system consists of a 1.5-litre, four-cylinder, turbo-petrol engine, mated to an electric motor for combined outputs of either 150kW for the Elegance grade or 200kW for the R-Line.The system uses a 19.7kWh battery pack, which grants either car a fully-electric driving range of between 113-117km according to the usually more accurate WLTP measuring standard.On top of that, the Tiguan and Tayron eHybrids are equipped with DC charging at a maximum speed of 40kW allowing a charge time of around half an hour on a fast connector.Starting from $64,590 before on-road costs for the Tiguan 150TSI eHybrid Elegance grade, the plug-in hybrid represents a $3000 hike over the equivalent 150TSI 2.0-litre turbo-petrol AWD version or a $13,500 hike over the base 110TSI Elegance 1.4-litre FWD version.Meanwhile both the mid-size plug-in hybrid SUVs are available with a similar list of optional equipment as their combustion equivalents.The Tiguan eHybrid offers 490 litres of boot capacity, a significant reduction on the combustion version’s 652L capacity, while the Tayron’s boot capacity is reduced from 885L to 705L.See full pricing in the table below for the Tiguan and Tayron range but with pricing between $64,590 and $76,550, both mid-sizers are a way off the more affordable end of the spectrum, which is largely populated by newer Chinese brands.BYD, for example, offers its Sealion 5 from just $33,990, before on-roads, while the Chery Tiggo 7 Super Hybrid can be had from $39,990.However, the pair of plug-in hybrid Volkswagens will present more of a problem for more traditional brands, like Mitsubishi with its (outgoing) Outlander PHEV starting from $57,290, and Kia with its Sorento PHEV starting from $71,130.The PHEV mid-size space will also be shaken up later in 2026 with the highly anticipated arrival of the plug-in hybrid RAV4. It is also priced competitively for a mainstream brand, with the XSE 2WD from $58,840 before on-roads.Volkswagen was embattled locally over the course of 2025, ending the year down 20.6 per cent on 2024. It is facing increased competition from its traditional rivals as well as rising Chinese semi-premium and premium brands. The German giant was also awaiting many model updates over the course of the year which saw demand wane for outgoing versions of some of its most popular models.2026 Volkswagen Tiguan and Tayron eHybrid price (before on-roads)

With the 2027 Toyota Highlander EV potentially replacing the existing Highlander/Toyota Kluger in America, the doors open up as to which big Toyota Australia receives from the USA, including the big Grand Highlander Hybrid.

Chinese behemoth Chery is at the forefront of futuristic, game-changing solid state batteries, and Australia could be inline to get the tech sooner rather than later.When asked whether solid state batteries would come to Australia, the answer was simple.“Why not”, said Peter Matkin, Chery's Director of Engineering.Chery Australia Chief Operating Officer Lucas Harris backed this up by stating, “Chery is the brand where you never say never.”Matkin said Chery covers all bandwidth with all the possible options, but the demand has to be there. Time will tell if Australia has that demand.Chery has claimed it will fit the futuristic cells — which are more energy dense and less prone to fire than conventional batteries — to some of its Exeed vehicles in China.Exeed is Chery’s tech and luxury focused sub-brand, which, if Harris gets his way, will land in Australia in the future.“I really like the Exeed product, and I think they make some, you know, really cool, really high end, actual luxury specification vehicles. If I could make a wish tomorrow and it would come true, that would probably be what I would ask for.”The first Exeed vehicle to score the new battery is the Liefend shooting brake, which is claimed to have an electric driving range of up to 1500km.This is due to the energy dense solid state batteries, which are claimed to store 600Wh per kg. That is about triple what an average electric vehicle can store now in its battery.The Exeed ES8 shooting brake is also in line for solid state power, with it claimed to have a driving range of more than 1000km.A timeline on when that technology could reach Australia in a Chery vehicle, or one of its sub brands, is hard to tell.Matkin said the technology is moving so fast and the Exeed brand is selling extremely well in China and other markets, which could push back the timeline, but he was confident it would come.“The technology will definitely pick up. They're already working on the solid state. So technology will come,” he said.

With local arrival on track for June this year, Suzuki Australia has confirmed details of the brand’s first-ever pure electric vehicle, the e Vitara.Underpinned by Suzuki’s ‘Heartect-e’ EV-specific platform, the compact SUV will be powered by a single electric motor producing 106kW/193Nm in the two-wheel-drive Motion grade, while the dual-motor set-up in the top-spec, all-wheel-drive Ultra produces 135kW/307Nm.A 49kWh LFP battery in the Motion delivers a claimed range of 344km, while the Ultra’s 61kWh pack extends that distance to 395km.Outright charging capacities are yet to be confirmed but Suzuki said charging times under initial development for both models have been targeted at 45 minutes for a 10-80 per cent DC top up, 5.5 hours for 10-100 on 11kW AC three-phase power and nine hours from 10-100 per cent on a 7.0kW AC single-phase outlet. An integrated heat pump battery thermal management system, aimed at optimising battery performance, driving range and charging efficiency, is standard. Pricing will be released closer to the car’s launch but the e Vitara will be lining up against competitors like the BYD Atto 2 (from $31,990, before on-road costs), Chery E5 (from $38,990, drive-away), Leapmotor B10 (from $38,990 drive-away) and MG S5 EV (from $40,490, drive-away).Local specification has been set with standard feature highlights for the entry-grade Motion including 18-inch alloys, LED headlights (with auto high-beam), multiple drive modes, rain-sensing wipers, a 10.25-inch digital instrument display, 10.1-inch centre multimedia display (with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and Bluetooth connectivity), a leather-trimmed steering wheel, climate-control air, 12-colour interior ambient lighting, fabric seats and four-speaker audio.As well as additional power and AWD capability, the Ultra adds adaptive high beam, front (LED) fog lights, a glass roof (with shade), Infinity audio (with subwoofer), wireless charging, fabric and synthetic leather seat trim, heated front seats and electric seat adjustment for the driver.ADAS crash-avoidance tech is extensive, including adaptive cruise control, auto emergency braking (AEB), lane keeping assist and lane departure prevention, forward collision warning, ‘High Beam Assist’, blind spot monitoring, a 360-degree camera view plus front and rear parking sensors and rear cross-traffic alert.If all that isn’t enough to avoid a sheet metal interface there are seven airbags onboard and multi-collision brake is fitted to minimise the chances of subsequent impacts after an initial crash.In announcing the e Vitara details, Suzuki Australia General Manager - Automobile Michael Pachota said, “Ahead of its Australian introduction, the e Vitara has already received strong interest and positive reception across global markets, reinforcing confidence in Suzuki’s electric vehicle strategy.”

Tesla has announced its Full Self-Driving (Supervised) technology in Australia will move to a subscription-only service from April 2026. Buyers were previously able to purchase the technology for a one-off price of $10,100 or pay $149 per month. It is a Level 2 advanced driver assist system, which can navigate its way to the chosen destination. It is available on Tesla Model 3 or Model Y examples equipped with a Hardware 3 or 4 camera.The brand has confirmed the monthly subscription cost will remain the same for the time being. As with most subscriptions services, such as Netflix, there is a strong possibility for incremental increases on a regular basis.The initial pricing of the Model 3 and the Model Y has not changed despite the shift to a subscription model. The Model 3 starts in Australia from $54,900, before on-road costs, while the Model Y has a starting price of $58,900. Both cars were among Australia’s best-selling electric cars, with the Model Y topping the charts at more than 22,000 sales. Buyers will not be able to outright purchase the technology from the 31st of March 2026, so vehicles will have to be ordered by that date to be eligible for it. Existing owners of eligible vehicles will be able to outright purchase the technology via the Tesla app until the 31st of March as an upgrade post purchase. Tesla’s transfer promotions on the system will also no longer be offered from April of this year. This promotion allowed for owners of existing Tesla's with the FSD or Enhanced Auto Pilot to transfer it onto a new model without additional cost. The announcement confirms Australia will follow Tesla in the US, which ceased the outright purchase of the technology in mid-February of this year. The technology made headlines when it was released in Australia towards the end of last year as the first right-hand drive market to receive it.The move to a subscription-only service for FSD (supervised) is one of several big moves the car maker has made in recent times. Tesla announced in late January that it was cutting production of the Model S sedan and Model X SUV in the middle of this year. This is to make way for production of Optimus robots in the same factory.