Electra — Australian EV Finder

Australia's EV market reaches its biggest month on record with electric vehicles hitting 20% market share, while Tesla maintains its top position. The podcast also covers first impressions of Cadillac's new electric SUVs and other EV industry news.

Mini Australia has unveiled the 2026 Countryman with updated powertrains including mild-hybrid and longer-range electric options, following updates similar to its BMW X1 cousin.

The Electric Vehicle Council proposes a five-point plan to the government as Australian electric trucks remain underutilised amid soaring diesel prices exceeding $3 per litre.

Porsche's Cayenne electric and Turbo models have received Australian approval and are set to launch locally, with the vehicles offering a 3.5 tonne towing capacity.

Cadillac is equipping its export-market EVs with smaller batteries that extend fast-charging times, citing European regulations as the driver behind the change.

Xpeng has confirmed preliminary specifications for the updated 2026 G6 ahead of its Australian relaunch on July 1, with the refreshed Model Y rival set to arrive soon.

Ferrari's electric Luce features an adaptive traction control system that learns individual driving patterns, setting it apart from competitors' approaches according to the brand's chief test driver.

Ford's affordable electric ute has been spotted for the first time, with the compact dual-cab appearing smaller than a traditional Ranger.

Tesla has launched vehicle-to-load technology in Australia and signalled that vehicle-to-grid capability is coming soon, potentially at a lower cost than competing systems.

BMW maintains the price of its updated i7 electric flagship for the 2027 model year as Australia's EV sales hit record levels.

Hyundai cuts prices on its Kona Electric and Ioniq 5 models as the EV price war intensifies, though some features have been removed from the vehicles.

Cadillac is bringing two new electric SUVs to Australia—the Optiq and Vistiq—with contrasting designs and features aimed at the local market.

Victoria is falling behind in EV infrastructure development, facing broader challenges beyond just charging capacity that are hampering the state's electric vehicle adoption.

Cadillac returns to the Australian market with two new luxury electric SUVs, the Optiq and Vistiq, as it looks to compete in the growing local EV sector.

Australia's ute market now offers hybrid, PHEV and EV options, with buyers needing to determine which electrified model suits their needs best.

The Federal Government has announced $13.6 million in ARENA funding to expand vehicle-to-grid technology, supporting Amber Electric, BYD, and Starcharge in scaling the infrastructure.

BYD's M9 people mover moves closer to an Australian launch, potentially targeting the premium segment dominated by vehicles like the Kia Carnival.

Toyota's strong EV sales in advanced markets show the company could dominate if it committed fully to electric vehicles instead of opposing EV policies in Australia.

Electric vehicles offer Australian drivers cost-of-living benefits as fuel prices rise, though experts say further government action is needed to secure the country's EV future.

The FTN Motion StreetdogXR combines scooter practicality with retro café racer styling, delivering easy urban commuting and decent range, though its charging system could be more convenient.

Audi is considering bringing its upcoming A2 e-tron electric hatchback to Australia, eyeing the novated lease market as sales of EVs continue to grow locally.

Leapmotor's flagship D19 SUV offers six or seven seats with electric or range-extender powertrains and luxury features, though its Australian market viability remains uncertain.

Chinese EV maker Zeekr is unlikely to launch its 007 sedan in Australia to compete with the Tesla Model 3, with the company instead considering bringing its 001 shooting brake to the market.

Geely has unveiled a purpose-built electric robotaxi prototype in Beijing, featuring ultra-fast charging, solid-state batteries and AI computing technology as competition intensifies in the autonomous vehicle sector.

Hyundai's 2026 Ioniq 6 N is a high-performance electric vehicle that combines cutting-edge technology with track-focused capabilities, offering a polarising but undeniably swift driving experience.

The Hyundai Ioniq 6 N delivers impressive track performance with extensive drive mode options that reward exploration. The performance EV proves capable even without drift features enabled.

Chinese manufacturer Chery plans to launch an affordable electric hatchback in Australia by 2027, positioning it as a budget alternative to vehicles like the BYD Atto 1.

JAC's 2026 Hunter will become Australia's most affordable plug-in hybrid dual-cab ute, undercutting the BYD Shark 6 while offering class-leading power and towing capacity.

The government is winding back the FBT exemption for electric cars after the tax break cost far more than expected, ballooning to 18 times its original forecast.

Most electric cars available in Australia will continue to qualify for the full electric vehicle discount, helping everyday Aussies access more affordable EVs.

Chinese automaker Zeekr expects its 7X electric SUV to become Australia's best-selling EV, forecasting 2000 monthly sales that would eclipse the Tesla Model Y's current dominance.

Suzuki's first electric vehicle, the 2026 eVitara, is arriving in Australia with pricing close to its petrol counterpart.

Canberra sets a new record with electric vehicles accounting for 34 per cent of new car registrations in April, continuing its lead across Australia.

Australia's EV sales data for 2026 is updated with April figures, providing a month-by-month breakdown across different models and brands.

Chery is considering launching a small electric hatchback in Australia to expand the country's EV options.

Australia's federal government will maintain the Electric Car Discount and EV fringe benefits tax exemption for two more years before capping it at $75,000 and gradually phasing it down.

Omoda Jaecoo extends its $36,990 driveaway launch price for the J5 EV through the end of financial year.

Hyundai, Kia and Genesis extend their ICCU charging unit warranty on select Australian EVs following customer reports of failures.

Chery is set to launch the Q electric car in Australia by 2027, positioning it as one of the country's most affordable EVs.

BYD's next-generation Yuan Plus will launch in New Zealand as the Atto 5, though its Australian availability remains unconfirmed.

Omoda Jaecoo extends its $36,990 driveaway price offer for the J5 EV through the end of financial year.

BYD is planning to bring its larger Atto 5 SUV to New Zealand, with potential expansion to Australia still uncertain.

BYD's growing presence in the Australian EV market faces questions about what could slow its expansion as the Chinese manufacturer continues to gain market share.

The Deepal E07 2026 is a distinctive electric SUV arriving in Australia that combines unconventional pickup-style practicality with eye-catching design.

Xiaomi is developing electric vehicles in China with German engineering expertise as it prepares to enter the European market in 2027.

Chery confirms the Q EV will launch in New Zealand, raising speculation about a potential Australian release for the affordable electric vehicle.

Chinese EV brand Leapmotor is tailoring its export models with Stellantis engineering input, with Australia potentially receiving locally adapted versions if commercially viable.

Suzuki has announced Australian pricing for its first electric vehicle, the e-Vitara, with a pre-order special starting at $46,990 drive-away.

Suzuki's 2026 e Vitara launches at $46,990 drive-away, positioning it over $10,000 above the BYD Atto 2, with early-bird discounts for the first 100 buyers unlikely to bridge the price gap with competitors.

Chinese brand Jetour is launching the T1 and T2 SUVs in Australia in early 2027, followed by the G700 off-roader and F700 ute positioned above existing competitors.

A landmark vehicle-to-grid car sharing scheme with up to 150 EVs demonstrates that V2G technology can reduce grid congestion, lower private vehicle ownership, and boost renewable energy integration.

Stellantis-backed Leapmotor plans to compete with Chinese EV rivals BYD and Chery in Australia using a single brand strategy, rather than adopting the multi-brand approach of its competitors.

The Australian EV industry body advocates for a universal charge on all vehicles based on mass and distance travelled, rather than singling out electric cars with targeted taxes.

An EV driver shares lessons from a 5,000 km Melbourne-Perth Nullarbor crossing requiring 30+ charging stops, highlighting the importance of thorough planning and backup strategies for long-distance outback travel.

Tesla begins delivering the Model Y L in Australia, its longest and most spacious EV model, which marks the first Tesla to feature vehicle-to-load capability.

Volkswagen plans to launch a budget electric Polo to compete with affordable BYD EVs, with Australia potentially receiving the model.

LDV has unveiled plug-in hybrid versions of the T60 and Terron 9 utes in China, with potential for Australian release to compete against rivals like the BYD Shark 6 and Ford Ranger PHEV.

Chery's new Lepas sub-brand is preparing to launch in Australia with two EV models. The brand aims to bring affordable electric vehicles to the local market.

A German truck manufacturer has demonstrated bidirectional charging with an electric truck, enabling it to power facilities, charge other EVs, or support the grid.

A UK-based fund is providing Australian truck operators with $100 million to switch to electric vehicles, covering both the cost of the trucks and charging infrastructure upfront.

Cadillac plans to expand its EV dealer network across Australia and New Zealand through partnerships with local experts, alongside the launch of two additional models.

One of only 30 examples of BYD's 496km/h Yangwang U9 Xtreme electric supercar has been secured for Australia, making it one of the rarest production EVs in the world.

BYD's new flagship BEV draws over 30,000 pre-orders within 24 hours of launch, with the largest and heaviest EV in the brand's lineup starting from around $51,000 AUD.

Some EVs are off-limits for P-plate drivers in Australia, with power restrictions affecting which models young drivers can legally operate.

The updated 2027 Audi Q4 e-tron arrives in Europe with a redesigned dashboard, larger screens, improved range, and bidirectional charging capability.

BYD is set to replace the Atto 3 with the larger Atto 5 in New Zealand, with a similar change potentially on the way for Australian buyers.

The BYD Atto 1 is gaining sales momentum in Australia without appearing to cannibalise the Dolphin's figures.

Familiar established brands are set to bring Chinese-made cars to Australia, alongside dedicated Chinese marques like BYD, Chery and GWM.

GWM is set to offer two plug-in hybrid utes in Australia, with the Cannon Hi4-T PHEV joining the Cannon Alpha PHEV later in 2026 to take on rivals including the BYD Shark 6.

An Australian company is set to trial electric kiln technology in a $38 million project aimed at cutting emissions from EV battery production and strengthening the country's export potential.

The 2026 Toyota bZ4X Touring and Subaru Trailseeker are compared across pricing, specs, warranty and servicing as the two closely related EVs prepare to arrive in Australia.

BYD is targeting bold sales figures for the Seal 6 Touring, its first wagon to reach Australia, with ambitions to outsell rival models and revive interest in the wagon segment.

Fuel supply disruptions are prompting Australians to reconsider energy certainty, with the chaos highlighting the real-world appeal of electric vehicles as an alternative.

A new survey finds nearly half of Australians are supportive of converting classic cars to electric power, even at price tags reaching $200,000.

RACV compares Kia's Australian EV lineup, covering the EV3, EV4, EV5, EV6 and EV9 to help buyers understand how each model stacks up.

Australia's EV industry has issued a joint statement calling for faster rollout of charging infrastructure to reduce the nation's vulnerability to fuel supply disruptions.

A fast charger widely regarded as the best on the Nullarbor is out of action after a truck reportedly damaged its solar canopy, leaving EV drivers without a key stop on the crossing.

Kia's upcoming PV5 electric cargo van is drawing stronger pre-order numbers than anticipated, with interest coming from beyond the commercial fleet sector.

Skoda's Elroq and Enyaq electric SUVs have received European and UK updates adding V2L, Digital Key, and a frunk, though whether Australian models will get the same features remains uncertain.

A new affordable EV has launched in Australia with a full charge costing as little as $3.44, making it one of the cheapest-to-run cars on the market.

An Australian car giant has unveiled a major investment plan aimed at delivering a petrol-style charging solution to address the country's EV infrastructure shortfall.

Hyundai has raised drive-away pricing on the entry-level Inster by $3000 after a surge in orders for the brand's most affordable EV.

Hyundai has unveiled the Ioniq 3, a compact electric hatchback offered with two battery options that will launch in Europe first before reaching Australia in early 2027.

The Electric Vehicle Council is calling on government and industry to capitalise on current momentum and accelerate the electrification of the Australian economy.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has pushed back the new Roadster reveal and unsupervised FSD by several months, even as Tesla margins improve — amid growing competition from BYD and Chinese manufacturers.

The Australian Automobile Association warns drivers to be "deeply sceptical" of automakers' fuel and range claims, after testing found a popular hybrid SUV exceeded its advertised consumption by 27 per cent and some EVs also fell short of stated range.

Analysis of Australian BEV sales data since 2010 shows exponential growth that puts the country on course for 80 per cent market penetration by 2030 — without any further policy intervention required.

The Driven's Giles Parkinson recounts a 2,200 km EV road trip, describing how comfortable long-distance electric travel has become for experienced owners — and why charging anxiety is largely a thing of the past.

Australian EV drivers are saving more than ever at the bowser, with petrol prices above $2 a litre making the switch increasingly attractive and comfortable for more drivers.

Tesla has opened new Supercharger sites at Braybrook in Victoria and Osborne Park in Western Australia, with off-peak pricing as low as 27c/kWh — a record low as petrol prices surge.

The Driven takes a closer look at the updated 2026 Geely EX5 ER Inspire, unpacking a larger battery and additional standard features to assess whether it can hold its place as one of Australia's favourite electric SUVs.

The Electric Vehicle Council has published an open letter to Australian federal and state governments urging action to shift the nation's freight sector away from imported fuel toward locally sourced energy.

Energy experts have criticised an ABC 7.30 report on EV charging as poorly researched and biased, saying the reporter's complaints about charge times reflected a "petrol tank mentality" rather than real-world EV ownership.

Hyundai reports EVs now make up 20 per cent of its Australian orders, a sharp rise from just 3 per cent, driven by growing consumer interest following the fossil fuel supply crisis.

Genesis has repositioned the GV60 in Australia with a new entry-level grade that brings the price down and makes it eligible for federal incentives.

Hyundai Australia reports a 355 per cent surge in EV orders, with larger and more frequent shipments of electric and hybrid vehicles now headed to local showrooms.

Businesses and industry groups are calling on the Australian government to speed up the transition to zero-emission freight and strengthen the nation's energy independence.

A new analysis of what it actually costs to drive on Australian roads reveals a staggering gap between petrol and electric cars, with EVs far cheaper to run despite higher sticker prices.

Polestar Australia boss Scott Maynard says test drive bookings have tripled and showroom traffic resembles a sale event, with YoY sales already up 19.5% before the March order surge — and the Polestar 5 GT arrives later in 2026 to extend the 2/3/4 line-up.

University of Stuttgart researchers report 95% efficiency for stationary inductive charging and 90% for moving vehicles, with bidirectional transfer letting EVs act as flexible loads and grid storage — reducing cable dependency and enabling smaller batteries.

Electric vehicle sales in Australia have crossed the 10% market share threshold in Q1 2026, driven by more affordable models and expanding charging infrastructure.

The BYD Sealion 7 arrives with 502km range, dual motors and a starting price of $47,990 drive-away, making it one of the most compelling mid-size electric SUVs available.

The federal government has confirmed the FBT exemption for eligible electric vehicles will continue through to the 2027 financial year, maintaining strong incentives for salary sacrifice.

Tesla has reduced prices by up to $7,000 across Model 3 and Model Y variants in Australia, responding to intensifying competition from Chinese manufacturers.

The Electric Vehicle Council's latest report confirms Australia has passed 10,000 public charging stations, with ultra-rapid chargers now available on all major highway corridors.

Everything you need to know about salary sacrificing an EV, including FBT exemption eligibility, cost comparisons, and how to negotiate a novated lease.

BMW's Neue Klasse iX3 delivers 805km WLTP range — the longest of any EV sold in Australia — paired with 270kW charging and a dramatic design overhaul.

The Victorian government has announced a $500 million investment in EV charging infrastructure, targeting 2,000 new fast-charging stations across regional Victoria by 2028.

The updated Kia EV6 Long Range offers 582km WLTP range and 800V ultra-fast charging, making it one of the most practical long-distance EVs on sale.

RACV breaks down the real-world running costs of popular EVs vs petrol equivalents, finding typical savings of $1,500-$3,000 per year on fuel and servicing.

Australia's New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) has taken full effect, pushing manufacturers to bring more EVs to market and driving down prices through cross-subsidisation.

Chinese newcomer Zeekr launches the 001 shooting brake with 800V architecture, 230kW DC charging, and sports-car performance at a mid-range price.

A comprehensive guide covering wall box options, installation costs ($1,000-$2,500), solar integration, and off-peak tariff optimisation for Australian EV owners.