The EV and hybrid news that matters to Australian buyers, in plain English: new models, battery breakthroughs, prices and power deals, plus the legends that never die.
MG's first electric ute is here with a 102 kWh LFP battery, 430 km of WLTP range and a 3,500 kg braked towing rating. It lands between the KGM Musso EV and Toyota's HiLux BEV on price.
Why it matters: Watch the fine print if you tow: a 6,500 kg combined limit means payload drops to about 185 kg with 3,500 kg on the hook, and towing will cut that 430 km a lot.
Source: Driving Enthusiast
Chery has shown 400 Wh/kg solid-state cells and says a pilot production line should start in 2027, with vehicle testing (in an Exeed ES8) from 2027. The headline 1,500 km figure comes from a separate 600 Wh/kg cell still in development.
Why it matters: Solid-state packs could mean much more range for the same weight, but CATL, BYD and Chery are all talking small-scale production around 2027. Don't hold off buying today's EV waiting for it.
Source: CarNewsChina
The NSW EV Fleets Incentive pays businesses with three or more fleet vehicles money towards electric vans and up to $6,000 per AC charging port. It closes on 30 November 2026, or earlier if the money runs out.
Why it matters: Most grants won't pay for vans or chargers you've already bought, so apply before you order.
Source: NSW Government
26,287 electric cars were sold in September, 24.2% of the market, edging out petrol cars (26,018) once again. Plug-in hybrids more than doubled on a year ago. Tesla's Model Y was the top EV, followed by BYD's Sealion 7.
Why it matters: More EVs on the road means more chargers, more used EVs for sale and more competition on price. Petrol sales fell by more than a third.
Source: CarExpert
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Victoria's Midday Power Saver runs from 1 October 2026 to 30 June 2027, with free electricity from 11am to 2pm on eligible plans. It joins the Solar Sharer Offer in NSW, South East Queensland and South Australia, which began on 1 July.
Why it matters: If your EV is at home in the middle of the day, three free hours can cover most of a week's driving. You need a smart meter and have to opt in.
Source: EV Pick guide
Amber Electric's trial, starting with BYD cars, lets the car charge when power is cheap and send it back to the home or grid when it's worth most. ARENA funding takes it from 50 to 1,000 households, with drivers setting a minimum battery level.
Why it matters: Using your car as a home battery could cut the cost of owning both. One earlier participant earned more than $500 in a single high-price event, but results vary.
Source: carsales
CATL and Changan revealed what CATL calls the world's first mass-produced car with sodium-ion batteries. CATL quotes up to 400 km from a 45 kWh pack, with far better cold-weather performance than LFP: over 90% of capacity kept at -40°C.
Why it matters: Sodium is cheap and plentiful, which could make small EVs cheaper. Expect it in China first; there's no Australian timing yet.
Source: CnEVPost
The cars that changed everything, and still turn up for sale today.
Every new EV, hybrid and brand heading to Australia, with timing and price hints.
Every week or so. Each item links to the original source, and we explain what it means for people buying in Australia.
Yes, use the contact page. Tips on new models, prices and charging deals are welcome.
Weekly cost = the car's energy use × 250 km × your electricity or fuel price, with 90% of charging at home. Prices are list prices at October 2026; check with the dealer.
Printed from EV Pick · evpick.com.au. Prices and costs are estimates; check with the dealer. © 2026 EV Pick (T. Crouch). For personal use only; not to be copied, republished or sold without permission.
