EV News

Mitsubishi's plans to tackle BYD and Chery have just been revealed.The Japanese giant is planning to introduce 13 new models, including five hybrid and five plug-in hybrid models over the next five years. This could have huge implications for the brand in Australia, especially as it battles tough impending New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) fines. More electrified vehicles on sale could help ease those pressures. Mitsubishi Australia has been contacted for comment to see if there are any plans for these models to launch Down Under. The incoming Pajero is one of these new models, but it is just the beginning of a comprehensive shake-up from the brand. It will launch a small SUV, a compact SUV, two other undefined SUVs as well as a new ute, among other models falling into the off-road product plan.Additionally, there will be two new electric SUVs, with a pick-up and two Kei (Japanese city-class) cars also being planned. The brand also detailed some of its key weaknesses stating there was “significant room for improvement” required across the board. It identified the challenges for Mitsubishi in achieving differentiation to other brands - something which has become an increasingly big issue with the rise of Chinese carmakers.Brands such as BYD and Chery have introduced many models posing direct competition to Mitsubishi, but at much cheaper prices.“We will build a line-up that embodies our brand, centred on the off-road product group and ASEAN product group,”  “At the same time, regarding electrification, while we will continue to utilize collaboration models for EVs, we will focus our in-house development on HEVs and PHEVs.“Going forward, Mitsubishi Motors will focus on product segments where we have strengths, refine differentiated product characteristics that set us apart from competing brands, including Chinese brands, and establish a unique position in the automotive industry.”The return of the Pajero 4WD in Australia is scheduled for the fourth quarter of this year, and appears to be the first of this new era for Mitsubishi.

Jaecoo’s big J9 luxury range-extended hybrid SUV has just been given the green light to land in the UK, according to reports, which hints at a future Aussie launch.The Jaecco J9 is related to the Chery Fulwin T11 on sale in China. It will wear the brand’s luxury Jaecoo badge in the UK, according to AutoExpress, but it's essentially identical to the T11 apart from some styling differences.The Fulwin T11 was launched in China in 2025 and made headlines for its claimed 1400km driving range. The Fulwin T11’s range extender hybrid system combines a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder petrol engine with one or two motors depending on the variant for front wheel drive or all-wheel drive.In China two batteries are available: a 33.68kWh battery for the single motor variant, and a 39.92kWh battery for the dual motor. The system is able to offer up to 220km of electric driving range.The range is impressive, but so is the Fulwin T11’s interior, which is expected to carry across to the Jaecoo J9.It is a big unit at more than 5.1m long and with a wheelbase of 3.1m. The Fulwin J11 is a six-seater over three rows, with two captain’s chairs in the second and third rows. The interior is spacious, opulent and tech heavy.A 30-inch 6K LED display runs across the Fulwin J11’s dashboard and a 17.3-inch screen is offered in the second row on all but the entry grade.Pricing and specifications have yet to be announced for the Jaecoo J9 in the UK, but the slightly smaller Jaecoo J8 in Australia starts at $49,990 drive-away. If and when the Jaecoo J9 does land locally buyers can expect prices to begin at about $60,000.CarsGuide has contacted Chery Australia for confirmation of the Jaecoo J9’s arrival and is still awaiting its response.

Tesla has seemingly rectified the most annoying flaw in its Model Y SUV with the introduction of a retractable sunshade to reduce heat radiating into the cabin through the car’s large glass panoramic roof.Launched as an accessory on the brand’s Chinese website at ¥1499 (~A$310), the manual sunshade will be available for delivery from Thursday this week.Installation appears to be straight forward with the single-piece unit trimmed in the same fabric as the original factory headliner and features metallic handles.DIY fitment should be the norm but Tesla is also offering professional installation for an additional fee.And unlike the myriad of aftermarket (typically clip-in) third-party options available, the factory unit is constructed with an integrated frame and uses a roller-type design to ensure low noise.It’s worth noting Tesla has published a patent focused on engineering the glass roof to help cool the cabin, so this new option may ultimately be a temporary solution.Suitable for 2025 and later Model Ys, Tesla said the shade has “undergone full-vehicle airbag deployment testing and multiple road tests to ensure safe use”. CarsGuide contacted Tesla Australia to check in on local availability and a spokesperson said, “At this point in time the retractable roof is just for China, however it is anticipated that accessories will be available outside of the Chinese market in the future.“What we have seen with Model Y L is an overwhelming global volume (for markets that do take it) which sees accessories take some time to come to market”, they said.

A new cut-price EV has been spied testing in Australia and this one isn’t from China.CarsGuide spotted an example of Indian carmaker Mahindra’s XEV 9e being tested on the streets of Melbourne, pointing to a likely local launch in the not-too-distant future.Mahindra’s Australian arm would not comment on the future of the electric SUV but CarsGuide understands it could be in showrooms before Christmas.The XEV 9e - the company’s first EV offered in Australia - is a tall, imposing car in the metal, with a high-set boxy rear end, sloping tailgate and squared off front end. It measures 4790mm long, 1905mm wide and 1690mm tall, with a 2775mm wheelbase.A Mahindra Australia spokesperson said the company regularly tests future models Down Under.Mahindra conducts suspension and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) testing on internal combustion engine (ICE) cars in Australia, while the company also does calibration testing on EVs. That work involves testing for charging infrastructure compatibility and over-the-air updates and telecommunications networks.Mahindra told CarsGuide back in July last year it was “committed to selling EVs in Australia in the not-too-distant future”, and while the company couldn’t officially confirm the models at the time, a spokesperson added “the BE 6e and XEV 9e are a good indication”.The XEV 9e is a rival for medium-sized Chinese-made electric SUVs like the BYD Sealion 7, Zeekr 7X, Tesla Model Y, Kia EV5 and the freshly launched MG S6 EV.Pricing is a mystery at this stage but you can bet Mahindra will maintain its strategy of undercutting all mainstream and many Chinese brands.Looking at rivals, the BYD Sealion 7 starts from $54,990 before on-road costs and the Kia EV5 is $56,770. But expect the Mahindra to start from the low-to-mid-$40,000 mark, not far off the smaller Geely EX5 (from $41,990 BOC).Both the XEV 9e and the related BE 6 are built on Mahindra’s new in-house INGLO EV platform and artificial intelligence software, which Mahindra says is the “fastest automotive mind in the world”.Both models come with a choice of a 59kWh and 79kWh battery pack. Mahindra says the BE 6 has 682km of driving range and the XEV 9e has 656km when fitted with the 79kWh unit.The BE 6 has a more angular, dramatic design more inline with the look and size of the Subaru Uncharted. It’s unclear if both models or just the XEV 9e will end up in Australian showrooms.One electric Mahindra model that is unlikely to make it Down Under is the XUV 3XO EV that was revealed in January, with the company ruling the tiny electric SUV out for now.Mahindra’s current Australian line-up consists solely of internal combustion engine models, with not even a hybrid on offer. It includes the compact XUV 3XO, mid size XUV700 and large Scorpio off-roader. A new Mahindra ute is also imminent.As well as capitalising on the boom in EV sales spurred by high fuel prices, Mahindra is also likely to benefit from more EVs now that the Federal Government’s New Vehicle Efficiency Standard has kicked in when the XEV 9e hits our shores.Keep an eye on CarsGuide.com.au as more local details, including pricing and specification, come to hand.

Honda has added a sporty flagship RS grade to its local HR-V line-up, the e:HEV hybrid variant bringing a unique exterior cosmetic package, big rims and an interior makeover to the top of the compact SUV range.Priced at $44,400, drive-away, the newcomer adds a relatively modest $1500 premium on top of the previous top-spec HR-V e:HEV L.Carspotters should look for a ‘Bernina Black’ finish on the RS grille and exterior door mirrors, garnishes on the lower section of the doors and bumpers, 18-inch alloy rims filling the wheel arches and RS badgework.Powertrain outputs are unchanged at 96kW and 253Nm from the naturally aspirated 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and ‘2-Motor i-MMD’ hybrid system sending drive to the front wheels via a continuously variable auto transmission.The e:HEV RS is offered in the five main HR-V colours - ‘Platinum White’, ‘Premium White Silver’, ‘Slate Grey’, ‘Premium Crystal Red’ and ‘Botanical Green’ as well as the RS-exclusive ‘Crystal Black’.Introducing the new model Honda Australia Director of Automotive Robert Thorp said, “The introduction of the RS is another example of Honda’s focus on hybrid following the expansion of CR-V and Honda ZR-V hybrid ranges. “We anticipate by the end of this year, more than 80 per cent of Honda sales will be hybrid,“ he said. 2027 Honda HR-V pricing 

BMW beefs up its incoming electric car range with a cleverly priced variant.The new BMW iX3 40 variant will arrive in Australia in the formal quarter of the year priced at $89,900 (before on-road costs).That price puts it almost on par with the petrol-powered X3 SUV, and makes it cheaper than the previous-generation iX3 it replaces.It is also $20,000 cheaper than the fully loaded iX3 50 launch variant, which is due to arrive in showrooms this month.The new 40 grade’s price isn’t by accident. It slips under the Luxury Car tax (LCT) threshold, which also means it is eligible for the Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) exemption when leased through a salary sacrifice arrangement.The FBT exemption has been a key driver for electric car growth in the past 12 months. The federal government scheme has been so successful that it has been forced to wind it down as it is costing taxpayers more than 10 times what the government originally forecasted.Keen BMW buyers will need to be quick as the cheaper iX3 will no longer be eligible for the scheme from April 1 2027.The iX3 40 comes with a single rear-mounted electric motor that makes 235kW and 500Nm. It can sprint to 10km/h in 5.9 seconds on the way to a top speed of 200km/h.It is fitted with a circa-82kWh battery that delivers a driving range of up to 635km, according to the benchmark WLTP cycle.The iX3 50 uses a massive 108kWh battery for a driving range of more than 800km, and a dual motor set-up that ups the grunt to 345kW and 645Nm.BMW claims the iX3 can absorb up to 300kW of juice when connected to an appropriate DC fast charger.This can add up to 300km of range in 10 minutes in optimum conditions, and can replenish the battery from 10 to 80 per cent in 21 minutes.It can accept 11kW via an AC charger, with buyers able to option it to accept a max of 22kW.There is a big list of standard equipment, with highlights including 20-inch alloy wheels, M Sport package, panoramic sunroof, auto tailgate, Harman/Kardon stereo, heated front seats, ambient interior lighting, wireless device charger and more.BMW iX3 prices

The world’s largest battery maker is forging ahead with a game-changing new technology.China’s CATL, which makes the lion’s share of electric vehicle batteries for the world’s carmakers, will start mass producing sodium-ion batteries this year, according to Chinese reports.Sodium-ion batteries have the potential to make electric cars even cheaper. They do away with pricey lithium and use sodium to hold charge instead.Sodium is cheap and plentiful, which reduces supply chain constraints associated with mining and refining lithium.Sodium-ion batteries are claimed to be less fire prone than conventional lithium-ion batteries, and they perform better at extreme low temperatures with less energy loss than other cell chemistries.The one drawback is they are less energy dense than conventional batteries, but recent advancements have brought them close to the Lithium-Ferro-Phosphate (LFP) cells popularised by BYD.CATL is preparing a series of these new batteries specifically for electric vehicles, as well as grid level storage.The company is reportedly aiming to have sodium-ion batteries that can deliver a driving range of up to 600km.CATL’s recent announcement follows news of sodium-ion cells being developed by Chinese brand BAIC (Beijing Automotive Industry Corporation).The company claims its latest sodium-ion battery can be fully charged in just 11 minutes, and recent tests showed it can absorb 200 per cent of its capacity without an increased risk of fire or explosion.BAIC does not currently sell vehicles in Australia directly, but the recently launched Hyundai Elexio was developed and built in partnership with BAIC via a joint venture called Beijing Hyundai.The other game-changing battery tech CATL is working on is called lithium-air batteries.A lithium-air battery uses lithium as the anode and oxygen from the air as a cathode. This means the lithium metal reacts with the oxygen gas to produce electricity. The result is a smaller and lighter battery because it doesn't need a heavy metal cathode, they are also claimed to be extremely energy dense.If this sounds too good to be true, then you’re right. There are numerous safety production and safety challenges that means there is no timeline on when or if these batteries will become a reality.

The internet can be a horrible swamp, and the comments surrounding Ferrari’s unveiling were particularly, though predictably, brutal.“Great thing Enzo can’t see this garbage,” read one. “He’ll be rolling in his tomb,” said another. “This is such a cynical marketing product purely conceived to make money for the company. It hurts me on a cellular level to see Ferrari stoop so low,” wrote another user who clearly needs to get outside more. Fun fact, though. Those comments had nothing to do with the Luce, Ferrari’s first EV that was revealed to much fanfare and even more furore this week. That was actually the reaction to the Purosangue, the brand’s first SUV, and the model that would – according to the internet at least – definitely, absolutely and entirely destroy the fabled Italian marque.That didn’t happen, though, did it? I recently met an Australian buyer who’d dropped $1.1m on his Purosangue, and he had to wait almost two years for his production slot to open up, such was the demand. It is a massive driver of Ferrari profit, too, and is consistently among the brand's best-selling models, despite a production cap.The point is, the internet was wrong. And I suspect this same Luce storm will die in the teacup in much the same way.Now, I’d be lying if I said my eyebrows didn’t shoot skywards when I first clapped eyes on the Ferrari Luce at its unveiling event in Italy. I can’t say for sure what I expected, but I can say for sure that it wasn’t this. But having now spent some time with it, and even more time digesting it, I can tell you that the internet is wrong once again.The point has been so painfully missed by the Ferrari Facebook army, who seem to have been expecting an 849 Testarossa with a battery. Ferrari has made it clear this isn’t a vehicle designed to appeal to Ferraristi faithful. It’s designed to appeal to an entirely new audience, and that is not an audience with a poster of a petrol-powered Prancing Horse on their wall.The Luce had to look different to everything else in the Ferrari range, both to appeal to a new buyer, but also (and I suspect more importantly) to ring-fence the rest of the Ferrari range and preserve their fuel-exploding mystique. I think that's also why the Luce is slower than the fastest Tesla and lacks the brand's angriest driving modes – it can't have its EV outshine the lustier, brand-defining models."This is a different kind of Ferrari. And that was the point. That was the entire purpose of the exercise," LoveFrom (the firm who penned the Luce) co-founder Mark Newson told me.This wasn't supposed to be in the mould of other Ferraris.But I actually think the more pressing question is, if not this design, then what? Is the issue with the Luce, or is merely the fact that it’s electric?If it’s the former, then tell me what design could have possibly pleased the traditionalists? Something more like a Rimac Nevera? Perhaps, but I would argue Ferrari already has cars like that, and that plonking a couple of electric motors on a 12Cilindri would have only riled the web up worse.If it’s the latter – and I think it definitely is – then what the hell is everyone so upset about? There is one electric Ferrari, and nine petrol-powered options in the brand’s regular range in Australia. If you don’t like it, don’t buy it – the fleet is still 90 per cent in your favour. Beauty is always in the eye of the beholder – or whoever is behind the keyboard – but I can tell you this; the exterior design has continued to grow on me. It is undeniably forward-looking, and I think a pretty bold vision of what a family friendly Ferrari EV can be. Is it my favourite-looking Prancing Horse? No, but it doesn't have to be. And if the exterior of the Luce is controversial, the cabin isn't. The interior is spectacular, blending elegance and tech in a way that feels really, really special.Will I buy one? Irrelevant, I'm afraid. I can't afford it. And that's one thing the internet masses and I have very much in common.

BYD is poised to step up its attack on the ute market, with a raft of possible Shark 6 expansion models under consideration.The Chinese brand’s decision to triple the Shark 6 line-up with the new 2.0-litre Performance model and the Cab Chassis variant is only the beginning of its growth plans for the popular ute.BYD Australia Chief Operating Officer Stephen Collins said the company is focused on expanding the appeal of the plug-in hybrid ute to potential fleet customers in the short-term, with more options on the table beyond that.“There's more sub-segments that are pretty obvious that we're talking to HQ about,” Collins told CarsGuide.“So nothing I can confirm at this point, but yeah, we're certainly looking to continue to grow where it makes sense in the range. So whether that be at the top, whether it be at the bottom, whether it be certain mining-spec cars or whatever it may be, definite opportunities there. And because we're the lead market I think we have a lot of pull in what we can bring to the market.”The addition of the Shark 6 Performance means the ute can now tow up to 3500kg, opening the market to customers who tow larger items, such as ‘grey nomad’ caravaners and other tradespeople. While the new Dynamic Cab Chassis gives the Shark 6 more appeal to tradies and fleet customers in need of a specific solution at the rear instead of the integrated tub.Collins wouldn’t be drawn on any specific areas where the Shark 6 range could expand to, but did underline just how important growing its share of the lucrative fleet market is.“I think the obvious one has been fleet. We said last night that 35 per cent is about the norm. We've been at 10, we're now at 20 . So I think fleet is probably the obvious one where we've really been missing out, and we've established a fleet department. We work closely with our retail partners. We've probably got, in combination with our retail partners, we've probably got 25 people working on fleet. So that's the obvious one.“I think we just appeal broadly now, and I think there's just more opportunity as the car's only been in the market for 14-15 months. We've quickly gained, I think, a strong reputation getting on the shopping list. And I think now we're just getting on the shopping list of more tradies, grey nomads, families who just want to go camping, sparkies, just all of the above. And I think this just widens the appeal.”One likely option would be installing the new 2.0-litre petrol engine in the Cab Chassis, which would allow it to tow up to 3500kg, instead of the current 2500kg. Collins wouldn’t confirm such a variant was locked in, but did say it was “on the radar” for the brand.

BYD’s Denza sub-brand has lifted its game.The brand has rolled out its first over-the-air software update, in the same way your smartphone improves itself periodically, for its plug-ing hybrid B5 and B8 4WDs.There are several headline grabbing improvements, but the real Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series smashing news is in the details.Denza’s B5 and B8 four-wheel drives have had their security improved with a driver password lock added to the vehicle.This is in direct contrast to the LandCruiser 300, which is being stolen in increasing numbers around Australia.Thieves are effectively using a device to clone keys to access and drive the vehicles.Toyota’s response is a bit more old school, with the company offering a steering wheel lock. The steering locks are available as a genuine Toyota accessory on all models, and in the past few decades were used as a deterrent to car thieves.The Denza B5 also now has a cruise control function when towing, a dedicated towing mode switch and users can select a trailer weight that Denza claims the vehicle to intelligently adjust its performance parameters to enhance stability and safety during towing.The bigger B8 also now has cruise control when towing and more accurate range estimates when hauling.The company also made tweaks to the duo’s off-road performance, with new traction control settings.This improves the off-road capability, driving stability and performance on sand.Increased safety includes anti-jam second and third row folding seats, which now stop if they detect resistance. It has also added turn signals into the head-up display alerts.Denza Australia Chief Operating Officer Mark Harland said this update shows the brand is listening to its customers right here in Australia.