Electric Cars

If you’re missing the Mazda6 and looking for a new electric car - then Mazda may have the perfect car for you. The all-new Mazda6e Atenza is the flagship of its new electric vehicle (EV) range, with the CX-6e SUV due later this year.The Atenza grade is priced from a very competitive $52,990 and comes equipped with 19-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry, tri-zone climate control, ambient lighting, heated and ventilated front seats, a 14.6-inch central touchscreen and a 10.2-inch digital driver display plus a 14-speaker Sony audio system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. And to make it feel more premium inside there are leather and synthetic suede seats, a two-tone leather-wrapped steering wheel and more synthetic suede on the dash and doors.The 6e Atenza is motivated by a single, rear-mounted motor which produces 190kW of power and 290Nm of torque. It’s equipped with a 78kWh lithium-iron-phosphate battery, which Mazda claims is good for an impressive 560km of range.Mazda has included a long list of safety features, including autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, blind spot monitoring and 360-degree cameras. The 6e is covered by the same five-year/unlimited km warranty as the rest of the Mazda range, with the battery getting eight years and 160,000km of extended coverage.Service intervals for the 6e are every 15,000km/12 months, whichever comes first, and the car is covered by a seven-year/140,000km capped price servicing plan. 

The Mazda 6e is a crucial new model for the Japanese brand, ushering in a new era of collaboration with its Chinese partners, Changan Automobiles. As such, this is not only the brand’s first Chinese-built model offered in Australia, but only its second electric vehicle.The good news is Mazda has done a very impressive job positioning the 6e in what is a highly competitive electric mid-size sedan market, with the 6e GT priced from $49,990, plus on-road costs.The GT comes standard with 19-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry, tri-zone climate control, ambient lighting, heated and ventilated front seats, a 14.6-inch central touchscreen and a 10.2-inch digital driver display plus a 14-speaker Sony audio system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.While the underpinnings of the 6e are shared with the Deepal L07, another major plus is Mazda has had a big influence on the design. That means it looks and feels like a Mazda inside and out, albeit with some unique features that make it stand out a little from the current line-up.The 6e is powered by a single, rear-mounted motor which produces 190kW of power and 290Nm of torque, paired with a 78kWh lithium-iron-phosphate battery, which Mazda claims is good for an impressive 560km of range.While Mazda has included a long list of safety features, including autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist and more, unfortunately they are not as well-calibrated as they could be for comfortable real-world driving.The 6e is covered by the same five-year/unlimited km warranty as the rest of the Mazda range, with the battery getting eight years and 160,000km of extended coverage.Service intervals for the 6e are every 15,000km/12 months, whichever comes first, and the car is covered by a seven-year/140,000km capped price servicing plan. 

Sales of fully electric cars are booming in Australia at the moment, having accounted for a record one in five new vehicles sold in May 2026.It is good timing, then, for Skoda to launch the first sub-$50,000 European EV to be sold Down Under, the 2027 Skoda Elroq Select 60 small-to-medium SUV.When the Elroq launched with its mid-range Select 85 and flagship 130 Years Edition variants in September 2025, it quickly established itself as one of CarsGuide’s favourites in the segment, having been shortlisted for the Medium SUV Under $60K category in our 2026 Car of the Year awards.But the entry-level Select 60 has since arrived to tempt buyers who crave European style and driving dynamics as much as they crave value and zero emissions.But is the Elroq Select 60 actually any good to own?I have got the keys to a Timiano Green example for the next three months to find out.In this three-part long-term review, I will detail the Select 60’s pricing, specifications, efficiency and aftersales support.The second instalment will deep-dive the Elroq’s design inside and out, as well as its all-important practicality, while the third will be headlined by our full driving impressions and overall verdict.With further ado, let’s get into it!As mentioned, the Elroq 60 Select is Australia’s first sub-$50K European EV.How much cheaper than $50K is it, though?The answer is just $10. Yep, the Elroq 60 Select costs $49,990 drive-away, which makes it $10K and $20K more affordable than its aforementioned 85 Select and 130 Years Edition siblings, respectively.That said, the Select 60’s relatively low price has it well positioned against its competition.Before I go too much further, though, it is worth noting that the Elroq is 4488mm long, which makes it large for a small SUV, and small for a medium SUV.Point being, the Select 60 has rivals all over the place, including one of our 2026 COTY award winners, South Korea’s brilliant Kia EV3 and its similarly priced range-opening Air Standard Range ($47,600 plus on-road costs, 4300mm long).Then there is the more affordable but similarly sized MG S5 EV Essence 49 ($42,990 d/a, 4476mm long) and Zeekr X RWD ($48,900 d/a, 4432mm), both of which are Chinese.Do not make the mistake of thinking that Skoda took a lot of ‘goodies’ out of the Elroq to make the Select 60 a sub-$50K proposition.Its list of standard equipment still includes:Keyless entryMetallic paintworkDusk-sensing LED lightsRain-sensing wipers19-inch Proteus alloy wheels with 235/55 tyresAuto-dimming side mirrors with power foldingLED puddle lightsBlack window surroundsBlack roof railsRear privacy glassKeyless start13.0-inch touchscreen multimedia systemWireless Apple CarPlay and Android AutoBluetoothDAB+ digital radioEight-speaker sound system5.0-inch digital instrument clusterWireless smartphone chargerFour 45W USB-C portsOne 12V power outletHeated front seatsHeated steering wheelDual-zone climate controlAuto-dimming rearview mirrorFabric upholsteryLED ambient lightingMeanwhile, the Select 60’s safety features include:Autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian, cyclist and junction detectionLane-keep assistSteering assist with emergency functionalityAdaptive cruise control with stop and go functionalityHighway assistBlind-spot monitoringDriver attention alertRear cross-traffic alertA reversing cameraFront and rear parking sensorsSafe exit alertTyre pressure monitoringA tyre repair kitSeven airbags (front-centre and dual front, front-side and curtain)Two ISOFIX child-seat anchorage points (rear outboard)Three top-tether child-seat anchorage pointsThe Select 60 has one option, with the tempting $6000 Signature package adding:Dynamic Matrix LED headlightsPower tailgate with handsfree operationDynamic LED tail-lights12-speaker Canton sound system with a subwooferHead-up display with augmented realityPower-adjustable driver’s seat with memory functionalityRear sunshadesSurround-view camerasDual rear-side airbagsFor reference, aside from a larger battery and a more powerful electric motor (more on both of those in a moment), over the optionless Select 60 the Select 85 adds:19-inch Regulus alloy wheels with mixed tyres (235/55 front, 255/50 rear)Dark-chrome window surroundsDark-chrome roof railsLED rear foglightsThen the 130 Years Edition goes the whole way the further addition of:Dynamic Matrix LED headlightsHeated windshield21-inch Supernova alloy wheels with self-healing tyres (235/45 front, 255/40 rear)Power tailgate with handsfree operationDynamic LED tail-lights12-speaker Canton sound system with a subwooferHead-up display with augmented realityTri-zone climate controlPower-adjustable front seats with memory functionalityMassaging front seatsHeated outboard rear seatsRear sunshadesFabric/artificial leather upholsteryExtended LED ambient lightingPark assistSurround-view camerasSo, what is the Elroq missing?Well, the 130 Years Edition’s surround-view cameras should be standard range-wide – it is strange to see a car of this size without them.Vehicle-to-load (V2L) functionality is also missing action, which campers and workers on the road are sure to miss.The Select 60 is powered by a single permanent magnet synchronous electric motor, which is fitted to its rear axle.It produces 150kW of power and 310Nm of torque, enabling a 0-100km/h acceleration time of 8.0 seconds, which is quite brisk in its EV reality, where instant torque is king.That said, the Select 60 falls short of the heartier 210kW and 545Nm, which the Select 85 and 130 Years Edition output for a triple-digit sprint time of a hot-hatch-like 6.6 seconds.Select 60 buyers will not be left wanting, though, because its straight-line performance is more than satisfactory.So too is its single-speed automatic transmission, which will make most drivers realise how much they do not miss a traditional gearset.The Select 60 is fitted with a 63kWh lithium-ion (NMC) battery, which has a useable capacity of 59kWh.That enables a WLTP-rated driving range of 395km on the combined-cycle test, which is a little underwhelming for an EV in 2026, when 500km-plus claims are increasingly becoming the norm.It is good news, then, that Select 85 and 130 Years Edition up the ante with an 82kWh NMC battery (79kWh net) that boosts the Elroq’s claimed driving range to a more acceptable 529km, albeit at a $10K or $20K premium.The Select 60’s claimed energy consumption is 15.9kWh/100km on the combined-cycle test, which is exactly what I averaged in reality over 729km of driving in my first month of ‘ownership’, which included a good portion of inefficient highway mileage.Based on the Select 60’s useable battery capacity, that equates to a real-world driving range of 371km, which is just 24km short of that particular claim.I must admit, though, that a long weekend away from Melbourne to Venus Bay proved that long-distance EV driving is far from care-free in a sub-400km model like the Select 60.Personally, I would be paying at least $10K more for the peace of mind – and higher performance – provided by its long-range siblings.The Select 60 does have the 85 Select and 130 Years Edition beat, though, when it comes to DC fast charging, with its power peaking at 165kW for a 10-80 per cent charge in a respectable 24 minutes, compared to their 135kW peak and 28-minute duration.That said, it is an even playing field when it comes to AC charging, with an 11kW peak shared, which is perfect for an overnight wallbox charge at home or abroad, at 6.5 hours in the Select 60 or eight hours in the 85 Select and 130 Years Edition.Like all Skoda Australia models, the Elroq comes with a seven-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty, which is the best a European brand offers Down Under.That said, we are increasingly seeing eight- and 10-year terms from both Chinese and non-Chinese brands, so Skoda’s offering is by no means the absolute best.As is the case with nearly every EV in Australia, the Elroq’s battery is covered by a separate eight-year/160,000km term.Similar to other Skoda EVs, the Elroq also comes with two years of roadside assistance, which can be extended for a further two years each time it is serviced at an authorised dealership.Speaking of servicing, the Elroq’s service intervals are nice and long, at every 24 months or 30,000km (whichever comes first).A capped-price service pack is available for eight years/120,000km for $1750 (an average of $437.50 per visit), or 10 years/150,000km for $1990 ($398.00 average), both of which are rather good value.And with that we have reached the end of the first part of this long-term review of the 2027 Skoda Elroq Select 60.As mentioned, the upcoming second instalment will focus on its design and practicality.See you then!Acquired: May 6, 2026Distance travelled this month: 729kmOdometer: 1686kmAverage energy consumption this month: 15.9kWh/100km

BYD’s latest car exposes a huge issue that is headed for Australia. Driving range is the new point of difference for Chinese carmakers, and BYD is fully participating, but it has a sinister side.The BYD Seal 08 was unveiled in China as a Mercedes S-Class size sedan, with fully-electric and plug-in hybrid set-ups.The EV offers a driving range of up to more than 900km, according to generous CLTC standards, but its PHEV sibling steals the show. Its petrol tank and 45kWh battery combine to deliver a total driving range of 1660km, with an electric-only range of 400km.This is the same size as the battery BYD puts in its fully-electric Dolphin hatchback.Big hitting electrified set-ups boasting driving ranges approaching the 2000km range mark have grown in quantity, but authorities are starting to push back, according to reports. These large range-carrying set-ups substantially increase a car's weight, with batteries accounting for the bulk of the weight. Heavier cars require more energy to run, making them less efficient. They also contribute to an increased amount of wear and tear on the roads, requiring more frequent work.The Chinese government could be about to start imposing penalties on carmakers for producing electrified cars that are more than a certain weight. The BYD Seal 08 PHEV battery weighs more than 330kg, contributing to a total weight likely to be around 2000kg, with its EV sibling exceeding that figure.Australia’s current best-selling electric car and model generally, the Tesla Model Y also weighs around the 2000kg mark.Vehicles above 4500kg incur the Heavy User Road Tax on every litre of fuel used in Australia to pay for the wear and tear caused by them.External factors such as the Iran War and subsequent fuel price increase has accelerated the uptake of electrified cars globally, including Australia. With so many heavy EVs and PHEVs hitting the roads in Australia, there could be a need to follow China’s lead to protect the country’s road network from increased damage.Innovations in technology such as solid-state batteries could provide the key to offering huge driving ranges in smaller, lighter packages.Chinese brands have driving forwards in their pursuit of such technologies, with BYD and Chery, among others working on solutions in 2027.

Geely might be about to take on the ute market, but not in the way you'd think.Geely commercial sub-brand Farizon has announced pricing for its F3E small electric truck.It will start from $48,990 (before on-road costs) for cab chassis, with a tray adding an extra $2000 at $50,990, while the enclosed cargo box pushes the price up to $53,490.It lines up as a rival to Hyundai Mighty Electric, in a diesel-dominated market, with models like the Isuzu N-Series.Geely said its new truck is designed for urban delivery, light freight and service fleets.These smaller trucks are also seen as an arguably more practical alternatives to utes like the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux, offering greater and more convenient carrying capacity.It also has a fully-electric set-up, with a substantial payload, something electric utes have struggled to achieve.The two-seater F3E is powered by a single electric motor, producing 110kW and 260Nm to rear wheels, with a top speed of 90km. It offers a payload of 1,705kg on the cab-chassis, which is reduced to 1440kg with the tray and 1190kg with the cargo box. The cargo box variant gains the advantage of rear barn doors to aid loading practicality. The F3E has a 73kWh lithium-iron-phosphate battery from major Chinese manufacturer CATL, offering a driving range of up to 314km, according to WLTP standards.The driving range drops to 250km when the truck is fitted with the cargo box. It also offers DC fast charging capacity at 100kW, with a charge from 20 to 80 per cent taking roughly half an hour. A 240V vehicle-to-load system can power appliances and tools directly from the truck.The F3E’s interior features fabric seats that are manually adjustable, with the driver seat boasting heating and ventilating functionality.There is a heated steering wheel, with keyless entry and start also standard. It is fitted with a 12.3-inch central touchscreen and 7.0 digital driver display, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto installed. The truck gets some neat safety equipment like rear parking sensors, lane departure warning, auto emergency braking and a reversing camera. 2027 Farizon F3E pricing Australia 

The winds of change are blowing a gale through the Australian car industry, as new brands and vehicles whizz past old favourites on the sales charts.Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries boss Tony Weber said the June result was a paradigm shift for the new vehicle market. “The Australian automotive market has shifted on its axis during the first months of 2026. This year is likely to represent a significant turning point for the Australian automotive industry,” said Weber.BYD is officially a category five storm blowing in the direction of Toyota, Ford, Mazda and others that have dominated the top five selling brands for the past decade.BYD sold 18,881 new cars in June, all of them either electric or plug-in hybrids. This brought its three month total to 34,794 after its much ballyhooed effort to send its own ships packed to the gills with cars to Australia.Toyota had battened down the hatches in June and fortified itself against the fierce onslaught of BYD. It managed 19,124 sales in the past month to hold on to first place.It is understood that Toyota has increased supply going forward and is planning a monster second half of the year.Ford bounced back to third place with 9181 sales. Tesla came roaring up behind the Blue Oval with 8670 sales in June, which is impressive considering it only sells two vehicles.The Tesla Model Y was the best selling vehicle in the country with 8072 examples finding a home in the past month.Stablemates Kia (8005) and Hyundai (7480) held firm in fifth and sixth spots, while Mazda slid down to seventh (7278).Chinese brands finished out the top 10 with GWM (6104), MG (5001) and Chery (4505) muscling out old favourites Mitsubishi (4150), Subaru (2902) and Nissan (2337).A few other Chinese brands are lurking outside the top 10, with Geely 13th with 3507 sales and Chery’s Omoda Jaecoo sub brand 15th after moving 2541 units.Utes still delivered strong results, which is typical for the End of Financial Year period.The Toyota HiLux was the Japanese brand’s best selling model with 5175 sales, and Ford’s Ranger was the second best selling model overall with 5999 sales. BYD’s plug-in hybrid Sark 6 ute was its second best selling model, with 3398 sales.Top 10 selling car brands, June 2026 Top 10 selling vehicles, June 2026  

XPeng has detailed and priced its Mona L03 in China. The keenly-priced new mid-size coupe SUV will rival the Geely EX5 and BYD Atto 3 when it arrives in Australia.The L03 is available with both hybrid range-extender and fully electric powertrains in China, and it sits below the G6 SUV in its line-up.It features a coupe roof profile, similar to the Tesla Model Y rather than the traditional SUV shape of the Geely EX5 or BYD Atto 3.Its interior design typical of Chinese SUVs, with a minimalistic dash layout, a large 15.6-inch central touchscreen devoid of buttons and dials, a floating centre console with dual phone pads and an oval-shaped steering wheel.It features a panoramic glass roof, a 102-litre additional storage frunk and large alloy wheel choices, but unlike some it swaps a digital instrument cluster for a 26.8-inch head-up display.Both the range-extender hybrid and fully electric versions share a 183kW/280Nm rear-mounted electric motor. The electric version is capable of the 0-100km/h sprint in 6.6 seconds, while the range extender can complete it in 6.8 seconds.The electric version is backed by either 56kWh or 69kWh LFP battery, which offer either 525km or 625km of range (although this is according to the more lenient CLTC procedure). The range extender is equipped with a 1.5-litre engine producing 70kW.XPeng says the range extender can travel up to 315km in pure electric mode on its 37.2kWh battery and has a 5.2L/100km fuel consumption when the battery is depleted. Its official combined range comes in at 1330km, according to Chinese standards.The electric version has a claimed energy consumption of 11.9kWh/100km and can charge from 10 - 80 per cent in roughly 19 minutes.Some variants will be have adaptive damping shock absorbers, while all versions will get the brand’s full semi-autonomous active safety suite.The Mona L03 is priced from between the equivalent of $31,000 to $34,000 in electric form, which when the usual import premium is added for the Australian market will place it in competition with the Geely EX5 (from $41,990), BYD Atto 3 (from $39,990) and GAC Aion V (from $42,590).Right hand-drive versions are yet to be revealed, and more is expected to be learned about the model when it makes its international debut later in 2026.XPeng’s new factory-backed division in Australia has been approached for comment about the L03, although CarsGuide understands it is not due on our shores until 2027.The factory-backed operation is expected to deliver on the facelifted mid-sized G6 imminently, and has said previously it will also make good on the previously-expected X9 people mover and G9 large SUV.XPeng has made waves with its much-hyped halo models, including the new P7 sedan and GX flagship SUV in China.

Tesla has reasserted itself as the electric car king of Australia.The American EV maker sold 8670 vehicles in June, its biggest month ever, according to data released by the Electric Vehicle Council. It was so big that it beat the previous best month, which was May, by 26 per cent.It will be in the running to beat all other carmakers in June except for Toyota.Leading the charge was the Model Y SUV, which recorded 8072 of those sales. This will likely make it the best-selling vehicle in the nation when the full sales data gets released tomorrow, as no vehicle in recent memory has hit that figure.The Model 3 sedan chipped in with roughly 600 sales in June.Tesla has asserted its dominance as the premier electric vehicle brand in the country, with a total of 23,588 sales through the first six months. This is equal to a 66 per cent increase through June.Electric vehicle sales have experienced strong growth this year, especially since the Iran war and the resulting high fuel prices.What makes Tesla’s June result even more impressive is that fuel prices across the country had moderated and were effectively back to normal by the end of the month.Tesla has a healthy supply pipeline, with the brand’s local website quoting delivery times for the standard Model Y in July to August. The three-row Model Y L appears to be more in demand with expected delivery times between August and September. The more niche five-seat Model Y Performance won’t land in your driveway until September or October if ordered today.Tesla would be one of the main beneficiaries of the federal government’s Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) exemption for electric vehicles.This FBT exemption allows buyers to pay for the vehicle pre-tax and to side-step the 47 per cent FBT rate.The tax break has been a huge hit, with the scheme costing more than 10 times what the government had forecasted. There were calls for the scheme to be axed to help alleviate the predicted budget deficit, and it is perceived to help a greater proportion of well-off Australians.The federal government announced earlier this year it would be walking back the plan, with it to end by March, 2029.

Volkswagen, for decades one of the world’s largest and most successful vehicle manufacturers, appears to be facing an uncertain future, with one of the key emerging Chinese brands challenging its once invincible position now putting bold shots across the German giant’s bow.At the company’s Annual General Meeting last month VW Group Chairman of the Board of Management Dr. Oliver Blume told shareholders significant job cuts are coming in the face of “conflict in the Middle East, shrinking market volumes and increasingly intense competition”.Not to mention US tariffs costing the group a reported €5 billion annually because VW Group built factories in Mexico (for export to the U.S, built to take advantage of the free-trade agreement between the US, Mexico and Canada) have become uneconomic.“We don’t earn enough money with our products. Developing a world car in Germany, producing it in Europe and selling it globally – our business model that was successful for decades – no longer works today.”At that stage Blume said, “For Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche and our software subsidiary CARIAD we have agreed to cut the number of jobs in Germany by some 50,000 by 2030.”And now Automotive News Europe has reported Blume is expected to ask the group’s supervisory board this month to approve cutting 100,000 jobs (15 percent of the current workforce), in what is potentially the biggest restructuring in modern German corporate history.In response to the cost-cutting measures, BYD's special advisor for Europe Alfredo Altavilla has publicly commented on VW's potential job cuts and subsequent restructuring (including the likely closure of four factories in Germany).“It’s the first real wake-up call for the European industry,” Altavilla told the Reuters Automotive Europe conference in Frankfurt overnight.He expressed doubts over the competitiveness of German manufacturing sites, as BYD, the world’s largest EV manufacturer, looks for a second production site in Europe, supporting its new facility in Szeged, Hungary, scheduled to begin operations before the end of this year. To counter Altavilla’s position, Oliver Blume is already on the record in pushing VW’s evolving approach to the Chinese market challenge, having told shareholders last month that, “Our ‘In China, for China’ strategy is gaining traction.”“We have built our largest research and development centre outside Germany in Hefei, reduced our vehicle development times by 30% and cut our material costs by as much as 50%. “In terms of technologies and costs we are on par with Chinese competitors – are adding to our traditional strengths of brand, design, quality, driving characteristics, safety and services and turning them into a clear market benefit. “As the traditional market leader for combustion engine vehicles, we are gaining a foothold in the hard-fought and fast-growing segment for NEVs – for new electric vehicles. We are in the game. But we still have plenty of work to do,” he said.And VW isn’t alone in grappling with global export challenges. According to German VDA data quoted by Automotive News Europe, exports of passenger cars from Germany peaked at 4.4 million units in 2016, just after the VW Group’s diesel-emissions scandal was exposed.Following the COVID-19 pandemic, vehicle exports plunged and have not recovered with Germany's vehicle exports coming in at around 3.2 million units last year. And German exports of passenger cars to China fell 45 per cent in 2025.

When is a car no longer a car?That’s a good question, as you’d initially think that a car needs four wheels, some seats and a steering wheel.Dig deeper and a car may only require three wheels, one seat and perhaps no steering wheel whatsoever. There’s a lot of flux to the definition of a car.The steering wheel point is particularly controversial as if there is no steering wheel, you’re technically not driving anymore and are a passenger. Therefore I’d argue this isn’t necessarily a car anymore and merely a shuttle for transportation.This feeling arose when I experienced Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (Supervised) software for the first time late last year.This was in a Model 3 electric sedan which can be fundamentally defined as a car. It has four wheels, five seats and a steering wheel.You’re also able to drive the Model 3 like a regular car, but with the push of a button it drives itself. Sure, you need to supervise it and take back control if it starts heading in the wrong direction, but for the most part you aren’t touching the steering wheel or pedals.It’s a bizarre sensation handing over all the driving inputs, especially when it can tackle complex scenarios like roundabouts, traffic lights and the infamous hook turns in Melbourne.The technology will likely reach a point where a steering wheel is no longer needed. Tesla is already planning for this with its Cybercab autonomous vehicle.Although production versions of the Cybercab have already started to be produced, they are in small numbers for testing purposes. It’s unclear when they’ll be publicly available for purchase.Tesla is far from the only company developing autonomous driving technology. I was recently a passenger in an autonomously driven Nissan Ariya in Japan. The technology to allow this has been developed in partnership with Wayve, which also has a partnership with Stellantis.Nissan is currently aiming to begin a robotaxi service with these autonomous vehicles in Japan by the end of 2026. It’s also eventually aiming to roll the technology out to customer vehicles as an optional extra.Additionally, Waymo is already operating an autonomous robotaxi service in select cities in the US. There are also plans to introduce it in the UK and Japan.Ultimately the goal with this kind of autonomous or self-driving technology is to have a lounge room on wheels. In some respects we are already there.In the era of software-defined vehicles, many cars now revolve around the central touchscreen multimedia system and the experience they provide. Arguably for some carmakers there is more emphasis on this and the actual driving experience is secondary.In some respects this is warranted as in electric vehicles (EVs) you may be spending your time in the car while it’s charging at a public charger but at the end of the day it’s a car, not a lounge room.Going back to Tesla, the main interface in its current vehicle line-up is the central touchscreen. It dominates the dashboard and you’re required to use it to adjust virtually function.There are also so many novelty and convenience features that span beyond the driving experience. Think of the games you can play while you’re parked, the light show and the comical fart noises you can get the car to play.The list goes on and for many carmakers, especially newer Chinese ones, it seems like a heavier focus is being put on features like this, or services relating to the touchscreen, than the overall driving experience.As a result, it feels like some cars are more glorified iPads with flashy lights on wheels.I know that many people can’t function without technology now and in many respects it’s critical to many areas of cars, particularly safety, however at the end of the day a car is meant to be driven.It would be lovely to see a renewed interest in how a car actually is to drive compared to how flashy and cool its technology is. I’d argue this is wishful thinking though, especially given autonomous vehicles appear closer on the horizon every day.