Plugged in Australia

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In Episode 82 of Plugged In Australia: Quick Charge, Australia gets an unusual new ultra-fast charging installation in Perth that combines a large battery with solar and a relatively modest grid connection.

Mitsubishi finally reveals the identity of the Australian-tuned electric SUV we first reported on back in June, confirming the ASX VR-e for a fourth-quarter launch with four local grades.

GAC confirms an even cheaper version of the Aion UT is coming before the end of 2026, CUPRA rolls out a finance offer covering the Terramar VZe plug-in hybrid, and a Chinese government filing gives us our first proper look at GWM’s Ora 5 plug-in hybrid Touring.

00:00 — Intro
00:37 — Battery-backed ultra-fast charging goes live in Perth
04:27 — Mitsubishi ASX VR-e confirmed for Australia
06:56 — Cheaper GAC Aion UT coming this year
08:34 — CUPRA Terramar VZe finance offer
09:41 — GWM Ora 5 PHEV Touring revealed
11:51 — Outro

Disclaimer:

All specifications, pricing, and information discussed in this episode were correct at the time of recording. The electric vehicle market moves quickly, so we recommend you always check the latest details directly with manufacturers, dealers, or official sources.

This podcast provides general news and information only, based on publicly available sources and Australian Consumer Law guidelines. It is not legal, financial, or professional advice. For advice specific to your situation, please contact the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) or seek independent professional guidance.

Plugged in Australia and its hosts are not responsible for any decisions, misunderstandings, or purchases made based on the content of this show.

Sourcing & Transparency

At Plugged in Australia, all our stories are sourced from publicly available news articles and reports. We do not receive any advance information or briefings from brands or manufacturers.

Any analysis or opinions we share are based solely on this public information.

Our main sources include (though we also use many others, and they vary by episode):

• https://www.carsales.com.au/
• https://www.carexpert.com.au/
• https://thedriven.io/
• https://www.carsguide.com.au
• https://autotalk.com.au
• https://www.carsguide.com.au
• https://evcentral.com.au
• https://www.drive.com.au

Send us Fan Mail

Australia’s EV transition is moving well beyond passenger cars and simple questions about driving range.

In Episode 81 of Plugged In Australia, we take a deep dive into Coles putting electric prime movers to work pulling B-double freight in New South Wales, and examine the much harder question of whether battery-electric trucks can match diesel for payload, uptime, charging flexibility and whole-of-life productivity.

We also unpack the NSW parliamentary inquiry into EV charging infrastructure and its 18 recommendations covering apartment charging, charger reliability, regional infrastructure, kerbside charging, electricity networks and the enormous challenge of preparing for electric heavy vehicles.

Then we head to Victoria, where a new 34-page apartment-charging guide provides one of the most practical roadmaps yet for owners corporations trying to introduce EV charging. We look at EV backbones, dynamic load management, Level 1 versus Level 2 charging, billing, insurance, fire risk, legal approvals and who should actually pay.

China’s new battery-durability standard also gets the Deep Dive treatment. We explain the difference between State of Charge and State of Certified Energy, why owners being able to see battery-health information matters, the new durability benchmarks extending to 10 years or 200,000 kilometres, and why Australia may eventually need a similar system for its growing used-EV market.

Finally, Honda’s tiny Super-One is coming to Australia from $36,900 drive-away. We compare it in detail with the considerably cheaper BYD Atto 1 to work out exactly what buyers are getting for the extra money — and whether Honda can sell personality, lightweight engineering and driving character where the numbers alone struggle to make the case.

Disclaimer:

All specifications, pricing, and information discussed in this episode were correct at the time of recording. The electric vehicle market moves quickly, so we recommend you always check the latest details directly with manufacturers, dealers, or official sources.

This podcast provides general news and information only, based on publicly available sources and Australian Consumer Law guidelines. It is not legal, financial, or professional advice. For advice specific to your situation, please contact the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) or seek independent professional guidance.

Plugged in Australia and its hosts are not responsible for any decisions, misunderstandings, or purchases made based on the content of this show.

Sourcing & Transparency

At Plugged in Australia, all our stories are sourced from publicly available news articles and reports. We do not receive any advance information or briefings from brands or manufacturers.

Any analysis or opinions we share are based solely on this public information.

Our main sources include (though we also use many others, and they vary by episode):

• https://www.carsales.com.au/
• https://www.carexpert.com.au/
• https://thedriven.io/
• https://www.carsguide.com.au
• https://autotalk.com.au
• https://www.carsguide.com.au
• https://evcentral.com.au
• https://www.drive.com.au

Send us Fan Mail

Zeekr has smashed its Australian monthly sales record as the 7X electric SUV pushes right to the edge of the national top ten, while Mercedes-Benz Australia is considering another electric CLA designed to sit between its existing entry and flagship versions.

We also look at clues pointing to a substantial Kia EV5 interior update, three Australian fleets being recognised for practical electrification, Nissan keeping the door open for the delayed new Leaf and China-developed models, and Chinese luxury brand Hongqi preparing to launch locally under the simpler HQ name.

Plus, a newly filed full-electric BYD Seal 07 provides an early look at what could eventually influence the next generation of the Seal sold in Australia.

00:00 Intro
00:40 Kia EV5 could get a major interior update
02:30 Mercedes considers CLA 250 Electric for Australia
04:01 Zeekr 7X pushes toward Australia’s top ten
05:35 Australian fleets show practical EV transition
06:57 Nissan keeps the door open for the new Leaf
08:31 Hongqi to launch in Australia as HQ
10:41 New full-electric BYD Seal 07 emerges
12:15 Outro

Disclaimer:

All specifications, pricing, and information discussed in this episode were correct at the time of recording. The electric vehicle market moves quickly, so we recommend you always check the latest details directly with manufacturers, dealers, or official sources.

This podcast provides general news and information only, based on publicly available sources and Australian Consumer Law guidelines. It is not legal, financial, or professional advice. For advice specific to your situation, please contact the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) or seek independent professional guidance.

Plugged in Australia and its hosts are not responsible for any decisions, misunderstandings, or purchases made based on the content of this show.

Sourcing & Transparency

At Plugged in Australia, all our stories are sourced from publicly available news articles and reports. We do not receive any advance information or briefings from brands or manufacturers.

Any analysis or opinions we share are based solely on this public information.

Our main sources include (though we also use many others, and they vary by episode):

• https://www.carsales.com.au/
• https://www.carexpert.com.au/
• https://thedriven.io/
• https://www.carsguide.com.au
• https://autotalk.com.au
• https://www.carsguide.com.au
• https://evcentral.com.au
• https://www.drive.com.au

Send us Fan Mail

Ford has named and priced its new affordable Fathom electric ute, and while Australia is not yet confirmed, Ford has already trademarked the Fathom name locally and engineered its new EV platform with right-hand-drive markets in mind.

GWM has detailed another plug-in hybrid ute for Australia, with the Cannon Hi4-T offering 310kW, 750Nm, a 33.1kWh battery, 115km of claimed electric range and 3500kg towing.

We also look at Smart using Melbourne to preview the new two-seat #2 electric city car, substantially updated specifications for GWM’s huge Haval H10 PHEV, and a new NSW parliamentary report containing 18 recommendations aimed at improving EV charger reliability, pricing, apartment charging and regional infrastructure.

00:00 — Intro
00:44 — Ford trademarks Fathom EV ute name in Australia
03:12 — GWM Cannon Hi4-T gets 115km EV range
04:49 — Smart #2 revealed in a Melbourne mural
06:42 — Haval H10 gets a major spec update
08:21 — NSW report calls for better EV charging
09:46 — Outro

Disclaimer:

All specifications, pricing, and information discussed in this episode were correct at the time of recording. The electric vehicle market moves quickly, so we recommend you always check the latest details directly with manufacturers, dealers, or official sources.

This podcast provides general news and information only, based on publicly available sources and Australian Consumer Law guidelines. It is not legal, financial, or professional advice. For advice specific to your situation, please contact the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) or seek independent professional guidance.

Plugged in Australia and its hosts are not responsible for any decisions, misunderstandings, or purchases made based on the content of this show.

Sourcing & Transparency

At Plugged in Australia, all our stories are sourced from publicly available news articles and reports. We do not receive any advance information or briefings from brands or manufacturers.

Any analysis or opinions we share are based solely on this public information.

Our main sources include (though we also use many others, and they vary by episode):

• https://www.carsales.com.au/
• https://www.carexpert.com.au/
• https://thedriven.io/
• https://www.carsguide.com.au
• https://autotalk.com.au
• https://www.carsguide.com.au
• https://evcentral.com.au
• https://www.drive.com.au

Send us Fan Mail

BYD confirms an Atto 2 plug-in hybrid for Australia, potentially creating the country’s cheapest PHEV, while the electric Atto 2 Premium receives a new $2000 cashback and accessories offer.

We examine the European specifications for the Australia-bound Zeekr 9X, including its 660-kilowatt powertrain, 55-kilowatt-hour battery and nine-and-a-half-minute charging claim.

Australian battery-electric vehicles maintain more than 20 per cent market share for a second consecutive month, affordable EVs dominate the RACV’s most-searched vehicle list, and the Victorian Government releases a detailed guide for installing EV charging in apartment buildings.

YOUTUBE TIMESTAMPS

00:00 — Introduction
00:44 — BYD Atto 2 PHEV confirmed for Australia
02:58 — BYD adds $2000 Atto 2 Premium offer
05:04 — Zeekr details Australia-bound 9X
06:50 — EVs claim 21.7 per cent of July sales
10:04 — Affordable EVs dominate Australian car searches
11:15 — Victoria releases apartment-charging guide
13:46 — Outro

Disclaimer:

All specifications, pricing, and information discussed in this episode were correct at the time of recording. The electric vehicle market moves quickly, so we recommend you always check the latest details directly with manufacturers, dealers, or official sources.

This podcast provides general news and information only, based on publicly available sources and Australian Consumer Law guidelines. It is not legal, financial, or professional advice. For advice specific to your situation, please contact the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) or seek independent professional guidance.

Plugged in Australia and its hosts are not responsible for any decisions, misunderstandings, or purchases made based on the content of this show.

Sourcing & Transparency

At Plugged in Australia, all our stories are sourced from publicly available news articles and reports. We do not receive any advance information or briefings from brands or manufacturers.

Any analysis or opinions we share are based solely on this public information.

Our main sources include (though we also use many others, and they vary by episode):

• https://www.carsales.com.au/
• https://www.carexpert.com.au/
• https://thedriven.io/
• https://www.carsguide.com.au
• https://autotalk.com.au
• https://www.carsguide.com.au
• https://evcentral.com.au
• https://www.drive.com.au

Send us Fan Mail

Honda has confirmed a $36,900 drive-away price for its tiny Super-One electric hatch, but with fewer than 130 cars expected this year and substantially cheaper rivals already available, value could be its biggest challenge.

Tesla records its strongest Australian July result as the six-seat Model Y L outsells the regular Model Y, while Chery recruits Premcar to test and tune the Stockman diesel plug-in hybrid ute for Australian conditions.

We also cover Coles putting electric prime movers onto B-double freight routes, Leapmotor’s new B03 electric hatch, Lepas planning another EV and PHEV small car, Geely launching an Amazon virtual showroom and major Farizon electric van price cuts.

YOUTUBE TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Intro
00:56 Honda Super-One priced from $36,900
03:11 Tesla Model Y L leads record July
06:23 Chery Stockman gets Australian tuning
07:57 Coles launches electric B-double routes
11:37 Leapmotor B03 officially revealed
13:57 Lepas plans EV and PHEV hatchback
15:46 Geely puts the EX2 on Amazon
17:13 Farizon cuts electric van prices
19:15 Outro

Disclaimer:

All specifications, pricing, and information discussed in this episode were correct at the time of recording. The electric vehicle market moves quickly, so we recommend you always check the latest details directly with manufacturers, dealers, or official sources.

This podcast provides general news and information only, based on publicly available sources and Australian Consumer Law guidelines. It is not legal, financial, or professional advice. For advice specific to your situation, please contact the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) or seek independent professional guidance.

Plugged in Australia and its hosts are not responsible for any decisions, misunderstandings, or purchases made based on the content of this show.

Sourcing & Transparency

At Plugged in Australia, all our stories are sourced from publicly available news articles and reports. We do not receive any advance information or briefings from brands or manufacturers.

Any analysis or opinions we share are based solely on this public information.

Our main sources include (though we also use many others, and they vary by episode):

• https://www.carsales.com.au/
• https://www.carexpert.com.au/
• https://thedriven.io/
• https://www.carsguide.com.au
• https://autotalk.com.au
• https://www.carsguide.com.au
• https://evcentral.com.au
• https://www.drive.com.au

Send us Fan Mail

Mazda has given its clearest indication yet that the MX-5 is being prepared for an eventual electric future, although preserving its light weight and affordable character remains a major engineering challenge.

Deepal has revealed an extensively updated S05 electric SUV ahead of its Australian arrival, with more power, larger storage areas, new driver-assistance hardware and a choice of battery sizes overseas.

MG is adding $3000 cashback and a $500 accessory bonus to its IM5 and IM6 premium EVs, China has introduced a new standard intended to make battery-health information more accurate, and Volkswagen has expanded the Australian ID. Buzz range with a new Pro+ grade, more standard equipment, bidirectional-charging capability pending local testing, and a factory-backed camping package.

00:00 — Intro
00:39 — Mazda prepares the MX-5 for an electric future
02:28 — Updated Deepal S05 heads towards Australia
05:09 — MG discounts the IM5 and IM6
06:58 — China introduces battery-health accuracy rules
08:53 — Volkswagen expands the ID. Buzz range
11:36 — Outro

Disclaimer:

All specifications, pricing, and information discussed in this episode were correct at the time of recording. The electric vehicle market moves quickly, so we recommend you always check the latest details directly with manufacturers, dealers, or official sources.

This podcast provides general news and information only, based on publicly available sources and Australian Consumer Law guidelines. It is not legal, financial, or professional advice. For advice specific to your situation, please contact the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) or seek independent professional guidance.

Plugged in Australia and its hosts are not responsible for any decisions, misunderstandings, or purchases made based on the content of this show.

Sourcing & Transparency

At Plugged in Australia, all our stories are sourced from publicly available news articles and reports. We do not receive any advance information or briefings from brands or manufacturers.

Any analysis or opinions we share are based solely on this public information.

Our main sources include (though we also use many others, and they vary by episode):

• https://www.carsales.com.au/
• https://www.carexpert.com.au/
• https://thedriven.io/
• https://www.carsguide.com.au
• https://autotalk.com.au
• https://www.carsguide.com.au
• https://evcentral.com.au
• https://www.drive.com.au

Send us Fan Mail

Australia’s electric-vehicle price war has moved well beyond simple reductions to the advertised list price.

In Episode 75, we examine the Jaecoo J5 EV’s extraordinary sales advantage over its cheaper petrol sibling, the growing use of drive-away pricing, cashback, low-rate finance and home-charger offers, and why Ford’s Ranger PHEV appears to have found much stronger demand after major discounts.

We also unpack the substantially re-engineered BYD Atto 3 Evo, the Seal 6 Touring’s chance of becoming Australia’s best-selling wagon, and the possibility of BYD developing a high-performance version.

The episode also asks whether BYD’s Australian dealer and service network can keep pace with its rapid sales growth, examines GAC’s ambitious plans to launch more than 10 models and build a national retail network, and explains why the CUPRA Born is not expected to return to Australia for the foreseeable future.

YOUTUBE TIMESTAMPS

0:00 Welcome to Episode 76 and how the Deep Dive works
1:28 Australia’s EV price war enters a new phase
17:27 Ford Ranger PHEV sales surge after major discounts
26:19 The Atto 3 Evo is far more than a facelift
45:30 Could the Seal 6 Touring become Australia’s best-selling wagon?
53:32 BYD considers a high-performance Seal 6 Touring
1:01:23 Can BYD’s dealer network keep up with its sales growth?
1:15:00 GAC accelerates its Australian expansion plans
1:24:23 CUPRA Born ruled out for an Australian return
1:30:36 Final thoughts and outro

Disclaimer:

All specifications, pricing, and information discussed in this episode were correct at the time of recording. The electric vehicle market moves quickly, so we recommend you always check the latest details directly with manufacturers, dealers, or official sources.

This podcast provides general news and information only, based on publicly available sources and Australian Consumer Law guidelines. It is not legal, financial, or professional advice. For advice specific to your situation, please contact the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) or seek independent professional guidance.

Plugged in Australia and its hosts are not responsible for any decisions, misunderstandings, or purchases made based on the content of this show.

Sourcing & Transparency

At Plugged in Australia, all our stories are sourced from publicly available news articles and reports. We do not receive any advance information or briefings from brands or manufacturers.

Any analysis or opinions we share are based solely on this public information.

Our main sources include (though we also use many others, and they vary by episode):

• https://www.carsales.com.au/
• https://www.carexpert.com.au/
• https://thedriven.io/
• https://www.carsguide.com.au
• https://autotalk.com.au
• https://www.carsguide.com.au
• https://evcentral.com.au
• https://www.drive.com.au

Send us Fan Mail

Australia’s EV price war is intensifying. In Episode 74 of Plugged In Australia: Quick Charge, the electric Jaecoo J5 outsells its cheaper petrol sibling, a Queensland program cuts home-charger hardware to just $95, and BYD, Geely and Leapmotor launch aggressive new offers.

We also cover Tesla’s ten-millionth electric vehicle, the Genesis GV90 testing on Australian roads, XPeng’s possible electric ute, and the major rear-wheel-drive upgrades coming for the BYD Atto 3 and Atto 2.

00:00 Introduction
00:39 Jaecoo J5 EV outsells petrol
01:57 Queensland’s $95 home-charger offer
03:17 BYD Sealion 7 Premium drive-away deal
04:39 Geely EX2 charger and finance incentives
06:06 Tesla produces its ten-millionth EV
07:02 Genesis GV90 spotted testing in Sydney
08:23 XPeng considers an electric ute
09:30 Leapmotor discounts B10 and C10 models
10:56 Major BYD Atto 3 and Atto 2 upgrades
12:41 Outro

Disclaimer:

All specifications, pricing, and information discussed in this episode were correct at the time of recording. The electric vehicle market moves quickly, so we recommend you always check the latest details directly with manufacturers, dealers, or official sources.

This podcast provides general news and information only, based on publicly available sources and Australian Consumer Law guidelines. It is not legal, financial, or professional advice. For advice specific to your situation, please contact the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) or seek independent professional guidance.

Plugged in Australia and its hosts are not responsible for any decisions, misunderstandings, or purchases made based on the content of this show.

Sourcing & Transparency

At Plugged in Australia, all our stories are sourced from publicly available news articles and reports. We do not receive any advance information or briefings from brands or manufacturers.

Any analysis or opinions we share are based solely on this public information.

Our main sources include (though we also use many others, and they vary by episode):

• https://www.carsales.com.au/
• https://www.carexpert.com.au/
• https://thedriven.io/
• https://www.carsguide.com.au
• https://autotalk.com.au
• https://www.carsguide.com.au
• https://evcentral.com.au
• https://www.drive.com.au

Send us Fan Mail

In Plugged In Australia: Quick Charge Episode 73 for Thursday, 30 July 2026, Volkswagen’s electric ID. Polo moves closer to Australia while Cupra confirms the Born will not return any time soon.

Mercedes-Benz reveals a completely new electric GLA with up to 657 kilometres of claimed range, BYD predicts its affordable Seal 6 Touring plug-in hybrid could become Australia’s best-selling wagon, and Ford Ranger Hybrid sales increase following some substantial discounts.

We also cover GAC’s aggressive Australian expansion, whether dealer networks can keep up with the flood of new vehicles, an Australian-developed electric power trailer for mining road trains, and why China and Thailand will shape Australia’s future car market.

00:00 — Intro

00:53 — VW ID. Polo moves closer 

02:01 — Cupra Born stays away

02:41 — New Mercedes-Benz GLA goes electric

04:23 — BYD Seal 6 Touring targets the wagon crown

06:04 — Ford Ranger Hybrid sales rise after discounts

07:33 — Australia’s EV market faces a brand shakeout

09:34 — Electric power trailer for mining road trains

11:13 — How China and Thailand will shape Australia’s car market

12:46 — Outro

Disclaimer:

All specifications, pricing, and information discussed in this episode were correct at the time of recording. The electric vehicle market moves quickly, so we recommend you always check the latest details directly with manufacturers, dealers, or official sources.

This podcast provides general news and information only, based on publicly available sources and Australian Consumer Law guidelines. It is not legal, financial, or professional advice. For advice specific to your situation, please contact the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) or seek independent professional guidance.

Plugged in Australia and its hosts are not responsible for any decisions, misunderstandings, or purchases made based on the content of this show.

Sourcing & Transparency

At Plugged in Australia, all our stories are sourced from publicly available news articles and reports. We do not receive any advance information or briefings from brands or manufacturers.

Any analysis or opinions we share are based solely on this public information.

Our main sources include (though we also use many others, and they vary by episode):

• https://www.carsales.com.au/
• https://www.carexpert.com.au/
• https://thedriven.io/
• https://www.carsguide.com.au
• https://autotalk.com.au
• https://www.carsguide.com.au
• https://evcentral.com.au
• https://www.drive.com.au