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Episode 59 of Plugged In Australia: Quick Charge covers a big week of practical EV news for Australia. MG has launched the new S6 EV under $50,000 drive-away, LDV has released Australia’s cheapest electric van, Ford says a full electric Ranger is not ready yet, BYD is expanding the Shark 6 ute range, and Nissan is eyeing a plug-in hybrid Terrano SUV. We also look at Blacktown City Council’s new electric heavy truck, Geely’s EX2 battery upgrade, BYD’s next Atto updates, and Cupra’s future electric SUV plans.

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

Episode 59 looks at a big week for affordable electric and plug-in vehicles in Australia. 

MG has launched the new S6 EV under $50,000 drive-away, LDV has brought forward its smaller eDeliver 5 electric van, Ford has explained why a full electric Ranger is not happening yet, BYD is expanding the Shark 6 ute range, LDV is leaving the door open for plug-in hybrid utes, Nissan is eyeing a Terrano PHEV, and China-market upgrades from Geely, BYD and Cupra show where the next wave of EVs may be heading.

Timestamps — full episode
00:00 — Intro
01:02 — MG S6 EV lands under $50,000 drive-away
06:33 — LDV eDeliver 5 becomes Australia’s cheapest electric van
11:00 — Ford says a Ranger EV is not happening for now
14:28 — BYD Shark 6 range expands, but no SUV version
17:30 — LDV leaves the door open for plug-in hybrid utes
20:32 — Ford Bronco New Energy and more Chinese-made Fords for Australia?
23:27   — Nissan wants the Terrano PHEV
26:09 — Geely EX2 battery upgrade before Australian launch
28:31 — BYD Atto 2 and next Atto 3 upgrades
31:47 — Cupra’s Tindaya-inspired flagship could be EV or EREV
33:58- Blacktown City Council’s electric heavy truck replaces two diesels and two trailers
39:00 — 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

00:00 — Intro
00:44 — BYD sends almost 5000 vehicles to Australia
02:08 — Volvo EX60 priced for Australia
03:30 — Global EV sales pass 20 million
04:07 — Kia PV5 wheelchair-accessible EV
04:50 — Tesla Semi and Australian electric truck modelling
05:50 — Sydney electric bus depot and fleet EV lessons
06:38 — Skoda Epiq, BYD Seal 7, BYD Ti7Denza, Mercedes-AMG
08:30 — Hyundai performance EV tech
08:50 — 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 Episode 58 of Plugged In Australia, we cover BYD sending almost 5000 EVs and plug-in hybrids to Australia on one of its own car-carrying ships as it pushes toward the top of the sales charts, Volvo’s new EX60 electric SUV pricing and the company’s promise to avoid the software problems that affected earlier models, global EV sales passing 20 million in 2025, Kia’s wheelchair-accessible PV5 electric van concept, Tesla Semi uptime claims, Australian electric truck route modelling, Sydney’s first purpose-built electric bus depot, fleet EV lessons from Origin Energy, the Skoda Epiq small electric SUV, the BYD Seal 7 PHEV sedan, Denza suspension tech, the Mercedes-AMG GT EV, and a brief update on the CUPRA Leon Ve PHEV.

00:00 — Intro
01:01 — BYD sends almost 5000 EVs and PHEVs to Australia
04:45 — Volvo EX60 Australian pricing, specs and software promise
09:20 — Global EV sales pass 20 million
12:24 — Kia PV5 wheelchair-accessible electric van
14:57 — Tesla Semi uptime and Australian electric truck modelling
18:21 — Sydney’s first purpose-built electric bus depot
20:38 — Origin fleet report: Tesla dominates, electric utes lag
23:24 — Skoda Epiq small electric SUV confirmed for Australia
26:11 — BYD Seal 7, Ti7 and Atto 5 model strategy
30:17 — Denza B5 and B8 active suspension tech
33:09 — Mercedes-AMG GT EV confirmed for Australia
36:39 — Hyundai’s fake EV shifting influence
39:06 — CUPRA Leon Ve PHEV Ultra Brief update
39:34 — 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 episode 57 of Plugged In Australia, we cover GWM’s locally tuned Tank 500 Hi4-T PHEV, Geely’s Starray EM-i getting a much larger battery and 136 kilometres of electric range, CUPRA’s new Leon Ve plug-in hybrid hatch, Ausgrid trialling a Volvo electric prime mover with battery-assisted heavy charging, and Stellantis returning Jeep and Peugeot production to China for new electrified export models.

00:00 — Intro
01:02 — GWM Tank 500 Hi4-T gets Australian suspension tuning
06:19 — Geely Starray EM-i gets 136km EV range
11:24 — CUPRA Leon Ve PHEV hatch priced for Australia
15:06 — Ausgrid trials electric prime mover and battery-backed charger
19:00 — Stellantis to build electrified Jeep and Peugeot models in China
22:33 — 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

A shorter version of episode 57 covering the biggest EV and plug-in hybrid stories: GWM’s locally tuned Tank 500 PHEV, Geely’s longer-range Starray EM-i, CUPRA’s Leon Ve plug-in hybrid hatch, Ausgrid’s electric prime mover trial, and Stellantis building new electrified Jeep and Peugeot models in China.

00:00 — Intro
00:45 — GWM Tank 500 Hi4-T gets local tuning
02:23 — Geely Starray EM-i gets 136km EV range
03:44 — CUPRA Leon Ve priced for Australia
04:40 — Ausgrid trials electric prime mover
05:48 — Stellantis plans electrified Jeep and Peugeot exports
06:52— 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

Quick Charge 56 covers the biggest Australian EV stories from Episode 56: Subaru’s new Uncharted and EV price cuts, Volkswagen’s ID. Polo GTI, BYD’s wave of new plug-in hybrid and electric models, Xpeng’s X9 people mover, Renault’s Master E-Tech electric van, Mercedes-Benz’s electric CLA, and the growing debate around EV access for renters and lower-income households.

00:00 — Intro
00:40 — Subaru Uncharted and EV price cuts
02:11 — Volkswagen ID. Polo GTI
03:00 — BYD Ti7 and Atto 2 DM-i
04:29 — Xpeng X9 electric people mover
05:26 — BYD M9 and V9
06:19 — Renault Master E-Tech
06:56 — Mercedes CLA electric and Audi A2 e-tron
07:56 — EV access for renters and lower-income households
08:44 — 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 Episode 56 of Plugged In Australia for Monday 18 May 2026, we cover Subaru’s new Uncharted electric SUV and major EV price cuts, Volkswagen bringing GTI into the EV era with the ID. Polo GTI, BYD preparing a wave of new plug-in hybrid and electric models including the Ti7, Atto 2 DM-i, M9 people mover and V9 electric van, Xpeng’s X9 electric people mover nearing its Australian launch, Renault pricing the Master E-Tech electric van, Mercedes-Benz confirming electric CLA pricing for Australia, Audi evaluating a compact A2 e-tron, Lexus’s three-row TZ EV looking more relevant for Australia, and the growing debate around EV access for renters and lower-income households.

00:00 — Intro
01:03 — Subaru Uncharted priced and Subaru cuts EV prices
06:52 — Volkswagen ID. Polo GTI enters the EV era
10:34 — BYD Ti7 large SUV likely for Australia
14:26 — BYD Atto 2 DM-i could become Australia’s cheapest PHEV
17:38 — Xpeng X9 electric people mover nears launch
21:50 — BYD M9 plug-in hybrid people mover approved
25:35 — BYD V9 electric van approved for Australia
28:52 — Renault Master E-Tech priced under $80,000
31:39 — Mercedes-Benz CLA electric priced for Australia
34:57 — Audi A2 e-tron under evaluation
37:23 — Lexus TZ three-row EV looks more likely for Australia
39:53 — EV access for renters and lower-income Australians
42:49 — Legacy brands use China’s EV playbook
45:20 — 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 this Quick Charge edition of Plugged In Australia for Thursday 14 May 2026, we cover the key EV stories from Episode 55: the Federal Budget’s EV tax changes, the road-user charge being put on hold, new kerbside and regional charging funding, Kia’s possible electric Stinger successor, Mazda delaying its in-house EV, AI battery charging research, and Shell Recharge chargers joining Chargefox.

00:00 — Intro
00:37 — EV FBT tax changes explained
02:08 — Road-user charge put on hold
02:49 — New kerbside and regional charging funding
03:23 — Kia’s possible electric Stinger successor
04:06 — Mazda delays its in-house EV
04:59 — AI fast charging battery research
05:56 — Shell Recharge joins Chargefox
07:07 — 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 Episode 55 of Plugged In Australia for Thursday 14 May 2026, we unpack what the 2026 Federal Budget really means for EV buyers, novated lease customers, charging infrastructure and road-user charges. We also cover Kia’s wild Vision Meta Turismo concept and its possible role as an electric Stinger successor, Mazda delaying its next fully in-house EV to 2029 while leaning on Changan-developed models for Australia, new AI research that could extend EV battery life without slowing fast charging, and Shell Recharge fast chargers joining the Chargefox app in Australia.

00:00 — Intro
01:01 — Federal Budget EV tax changes explained
05:05 — No EV road-user charge yet
09:17 — $40 million for kerbside and regional charging
12:54 — Kia’s electric Stinger successor possibility
18:12 — Mazda delays its next in-house EV to 2029
23:33 — AI fast charging could extend battery life
27:55 — Shell Recharge joins the Chargefox app
31:46— 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