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Picture this: A battery electric BYD Shark ute featuring 600+ km range, combined with flash charging technology for 10 – 97 % charging in 9 minutes.

If BYD can bring an electric ute like that here for the right price, I think it would easily become not just the best selling EV, but the number 1 selling vehicle full stop. Now let me explain why.

For this article I tried to put myself in the shoes of a BYD product planner, thinking about BYD’s existing vehicle lineup and how an electric Shark might fit in. From here on I will refer to this potential ute as the Shark 7 for simplicity, which makes sense given the company’s Sealion 6-7 SUV naming scheme.

BYD officially says there are no immediate plans for a Shark 7, but they have left the tailgate open for one to appear in the future. During the updated Shark 6 launch, fellow contributor Riz Akhtar asked about a battery electric Shark. BYD responded by saying they don’t believe the market is ready, although they are not finished with the Shark lineup yet.

Based on surging EV demand and my recent experience talking about EVs with a group of 4WD enthusiasts, I think BYD are either underestimating the level of interest in this segment, or they just don’t have the product quite ready yet. I hope it’s the latter, and they are secretly working on a Shark 7 behind the scenes for release sometime soon.

In terms of the technical capability for BYD to produce a Shark 7, the Shark 6 platform uses a ladder frame chassis and double wishbone suspension on the front, the same as traditional diesel utes. The double wishbone rear suspension differs from a solid live axle found on other utes though. Additional battery capacity could occupy space that appears to be empty between the chassis rails.

Despite suspension differences, the updated Shark 6 seems to have the features that people expect in a vehicle like this. The new Performance variant is now capable of towing up to 3.5 tonnes and comes with multiple off-road specific drive modes for mud, snow and sand. There is also a Crawl Mode that continuously adjusts torque to the wheels to improve traction and prevent slipping.

Image: BYD Australia

The potential market for the Shark 7 is huge. During a talk on light commercial EVs during the Smart Energy conference earlier in May, the speaker pointed out that utes make up roughly 25 percent of the Australian market. This equates to over 300,000 new utes per year, based on 2025 total sales figures of more than 1.2 million vehicles.

Today, battery electric utes make up a tiny fraction of this. Up to the end of April 2026, KGM has sold 138 Musso EVs and LDV has not sold any of their eT60s. EV utes represent just 0.3 percent of total EV sales, or a tiny 0.04 percent of the total passenger, SUV and light commercial vehicles sales so far in 2026.

I discovered this next fact while writing an article discussing the exponential growth of EV sales and how Australia could already be on track to hit 80 % EV sales by 2030. BYD currently sells 4 times as many Sealion 7 battery electric SUVs compared to the equivalent Sealion 6 plug-in hybrid, even though the Sealion 7 costs roughly $10,000 more.

Assuming the price difference between Shark drivetrains would be bigger, due to them needing larger battery packs than the Sealion, it may be possible for BYD to offer it for somewhere between $70,000 to $80,000. This puts it in the same ballpark as top-spec diesel utes and a fair bit cheaper than a Ford Ranger Raptor.

Next up, let’s look at sales for the BYD Shark 6 to try and predict how a Shark 7 may sell if it follows a similar pattern. As Renew Economy’s David Leitch often says on the Energy Insiders podcast with Giles Parkinson, “Forecasting is always difficult, particularly about the future.”

So this is nothing more than a thought exercise, and it could be totally wrong, but I think it’s interesting nonetheless. BYD has sold 4,851 Shark 6 utes up to the end of April 2026. If we assume the Shark 7 would also sell at the same ratio as the Sealion SUVs, BYD could potentially have sold over 19,000 of them year to date.

This would firmly put a Shark 7 ute as the top selling EV, and it would not even close, as the Tesla Model Y is currently sitting at 6,719 units. In 2025, BYD sold a total of 18,073 Shark 6 utes, and quadrupling those numbers results in more than 72,000 Shark 7s for a whole year.

Comparing these hypothetical figures with the Ford Ranger, which is currently Australia’s best selling vehicle, shows that a Shark 7 could potentially overtake the Ranger by some margin. Ford sold 15,841 Rangers up until April 2026 and a total of 56,555 over the course of 2025. Even a tripling of Shark 6 figures would put a Shark 7 neck and neck with the Ranger.

I have no doubt a Shark 7 would cannibalise some Shark 6 sales, but perhaps BYD wouldn’t care if they had the best selling vehicle in the country. If BYD are smart they will make all of the existing Shark 6 accessories compatible, to reduce development costs and offer an upgrade path for Shark 6 owners who want to keep their existing modifications.

BYD has ambitions to become a top-3 brand in Australia by the end of 2026, as well as overtake Toyota for the number 1 spot eventually. If I actually were a product planner at BYD, then a battery electric Shark 7 ute would most definitely be on the cards

Innovative retailer Amber Electric has landed another $13.6 million funds from the federal government to bring “critical mass” to its landmark vehicle-to-grid (V2G) and smart charging pilot project that is looking to bring the idea of “batteries on wheels” into the mainstream.

The decision to add funds came after Amber’s original trial, targeting 50 customers, was overwhelmed with more than 6,000 enquiries.

The additional funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency, adding to the $3.2 million originally announced last year, will enable Amber to add another 950 customers to the V2G pilot, and double the number of smart chargers to 2,000.

So far, all of the vehicles are being supplied by BYD, which has agreed to an exemption from the normal battery warranties for the purpose of the pilot. But Amber says it is looking to bring in extra car makers.

The new funding was announced by federal energy and climate minister Chris Bowen at the home of one of Amber’s pilot participants in a housing estate in Lidcombe in Western Sydney.

Amber says that customers can save $2,500 a year from the technology, and cites one customer in South Australia who made $500 in a single day during the Australia Day heatwave earlier this year.

“Vehicle-to-grid technology means your car does not just get you from A to B, it can help power your home and support the grid,” Minister Bowen said.

“Australians with rooftop solar will be able to use their car to store the energy they’ve generated and then use that cheap, clean energy when they need it most. And thanks to our Solar Sharer Offer, EV owners who don’t have solar of their own will soon have the option of charging with up to 24 kWh of free electricity each day.”

ARENA boss Darren Miller says V2G could be critical to provide added storage and flexibility for a renewables-dominated grid, and he is aiming to have one million V2G-enabled EVs on the road – and often in the garage – by 2035.

The main problem with the V2G technology so far has been designing and implementing universal standards to enable the various technologies – chargers, cables, inverters and car batteries – to work with each other, but car makers have been slow in allowing their EVs to be used and retain their battery warranties.

“There are car manufacturers who are more forward leaning and helpful, like BYD,” Bowen said. “There are others who will take longer, but I think ultimately, consumers and the community will demand this.

“You know, if you’re deciding what EV to buy, and you’ve got one that will allow you to do vehicle to good or smart charging, and another won’t, well, that’ll impact your decision as a consumer.”

Bowen conceded that the task to match up regulator requirements with the needs of homes, retailers, car makers and other equipment suppliers has been “hard work.”

The Amber pilot scheme is designed to get the technology right for the wider rollout. With retailers like Amber, consumers can charge their EVs automatically when wholesale electricity prices are low, and when rooftop solar is abundant, and sell electricity back to the grid – if the EV owner chooses – when prices are high and the power is needed most.

Amber says drivers keep control. For example, a driver can program the Amber app to have their EV charged by a certain time in the morning, and put minimum limits on the state of charge.

On May 28, 2026, during the Intelligent Strategy Event, BYD announced a new policy that effectively removes the burden of liability from the user, positioning itself as the first automaker globally to provide a “double guarantee” covering both urban pilot assist and intelligent parking systems.

Under this new initiative, BYD is offering comprehensive coverage for its “God’s Eye” A/B smart driving systems. For new owners, the coverage begins upon vehicle delivery, while existing owners will gain access after updating to the “God’s Eye 5.0” version via OTA. This policy provides one year of full liability coverage for urban pilot assist functions.

The terms of the guarantee are notably generous: provided the system is used in compliance with regulations, BYD will cover all costs associated with at-fault traffic accidents, including repairs to the owner’s vehicle as well as third-party property damage and personal injury. Crucially, this service requires no additional purchase of “intelligent driving insurance,” features no payout cap, and will not impact the owner’s commercial insurance premiums for the following year.

BYD’s “God’s Eye B” smart driving package is currently priced at 12,000 yuan (1,800 USD) for a one-off purchase.

A BYD Seal model.

This move sets BYD apart from competitors who typically require users to purchase separate insurance products. For instance, Xpeng offers an “Intelligent Assisted Driving Peace of Mind Service” for 239 yuan (35 USD) per year. Similarly, Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance (HIMA) provides limited-time “Intelligent Driving Worry-Free” benefits.

BYD’s “God’s Eye” intelligent driving is on a par with Tesla’s FSD. In a related development within the Chinese market, Tesla has officially rebranded its Full Self-Driving (FSD) package in China to “Tesla Assisted Driving.”

By way of comparison, Tesla Assisted Driving (named Supervised FSD in international markets) is priced at 64,000 yuan (9,400 USD) as a one-off purchase in the Chinese market, with no subscription option available. Huawei’s ADS Max features ‘City Navigation’ and is available via a one-off purchase price of 36,000 yuan (5,300 USD) or subscription (720 yuan/ 106 USD per month, 7,200 yuan/1,059 USD per year).

Last year, BYD took the lead in introducing a full L4 parking liability guarantee policy. According to BYD, this policy caused the actual usage rate of the feature to jump significantly from 21% to 93%.

Why Austria? Because SuperPanther signed an agreement with Austrian Steyr Automotive, with the aim of assembling the trucks addressed to the European market at Steyr Automotive's premises located in Austria. Indeed, DHL Freight Austria started testing the Chinese electric truck at the end of 2025, with the idea of gradually integrating the new truck into their fleet.

25 May 2026 By Editorial staff

In collaboration with DHL Freight Austria, the eTopas 600 has been integrated into real-world operations, with a focus on the aspects “that truly matter in day-to-day transport operations: efficiency, reliability, charging integration, and driving experience”. The last sentence was written by SuperPanther itself on the official LinkedIn account. Indeed, DHL Freight Austria started testing the Chinese electric truck at the end of 2025, with the idea of gradually integrating the new truck into their fleet.

Why Austria? Because SuperPanther signed an agreement with Austrian Steyr Automotive, with the aim of assembling the trucks addressed to the European market at Steyr Automotive’s premises located in Austria. In the recent past, Steyr had signed an agreement with Volta Trucks before the end of the Swedish start-up.

superpanther-dhl-2

The collaboration between SuperPanther and DHL

Now, according to SuperPanther, the feedback highlights a significant shift in the industry, with heavy-duty electric trucks “increasingly becoming practical solutions for daily logistics operations. At SuperPanther, we believe that true innovation comes from working closely with logistics companies, drivers, and infrastructure partners, ensuring that technologies are constantly aligned with real-world transportation needs and operational scenarios”. We’ll keep you up-to-date about the evolution of the collaboration, one of the very first in Europe involving SuperPanther electric trucks

Five weeks after experiencing its first launch failure, Kent, Wash.-based Blue Origin is getting ready to put its heavy-lift New Glenn rocket back in service to launch 48 satellites into low Earth orbit for the growing Amazon Leo constellation.

The mission, designated as NG-4 for the rocket and LN-01 for the payload, will mark the first time Blue Origin’s rockets have launched satellites for Amazon — forging a new connection between the two best-known companies founded by Jeff Bezos. It will also set a new high for the number of Leo broadband satellites launched on a single mission.

“Couldn’t be prouder to support the Leo team on this mission,” Blue Origin CEO Dave Limp said in a post to X. Before he joined Blue Origin in 2023, Limp was the Amazon executive in charge of the Amazon Leo program (when it was known as Project Kuiper).

This will be the fourth launch of a New Glenn rocket. The first-stage booster for NG-4 is nicknamed “No, It’s Necessary” — a line from the movie “Interstellar” that refers to the need for a bold space maneuver.

New Glenn had been grounded in the wake of last month’s unsuccessful launch of an AST SpaceMobile satellite from Florida. But last week, the Federal Aviation Administration said it accepted the findings of an investigation led by Blue Origin. The investigation said the mishap was caused by a cryogenic leak that froze a hydraulic line, leading to a thrust anomaly during the second-stage engine burn.

Blue Origin identified nine corrective actions to prevent a recurrence of the mishap, and the FAA authorized the company to return to flight. An FAA advisory suggested the launch could take place as early as next week.

Amazon Leo currently has just over 300 satellites in orbit, and thousands more satellites are due to be launched in the next three years. Under the terms of its original license from the Federal Communications Commission, more than 1,600 satellites were supposed to be launched by June 30, but Amazon is seeking a two-year extension of that deadline.

So far, most of the satellites have been launched by United Launch Alliance’s Atlas 5 rockets, but the pace of deployment is expected to double over the coming year as heavy-lift rockets including New Glenn, ULA’s Vulcan and Arianespace’s Ariane 6 swing into action. Amazon says it has 24 New Glenn rocket launches reserved for satellite deployment missions.

Amazon Leo aims to start phasing in commercial satellite broadband internet service as soon as this summer, starting in mid-northern and mid-southern latitudes. Coverage is expected to expand as more satellites are launched. Leo hasn’t yet announced pricing for its service.

SpaceX’s Starlink network currently dominates the satellite broadband market, with more than 10,000 satellites in low Earth orbit and more than 12 million subscribers. SpaceX also serves as a launch provider for Amazon Leo, illustrating how even rivals can become partners in the space industry.

In other developments:

Amazon laid out further details in its plan to acquire Globalstar and its direct-to-device satellite constellation this week in a filing with the FCC. The plan, which requires FCC approval, calls for Apple to transfer its 20% stake in Globalstar to Amazon (via a newly created subsidiary called “Grapefruit”). Globalstar’s infrastructure and its licenses for satellite service would be transferred to Amazon, and Amazon would file its own license application to operate a global D2D satellite system purpose-built for mobile connectivity. The system would be complementary to the broadband service offered by Amazon Leo. When the $10.8 billion acquisition deal was announced last month, Amazon said the agreement was expected to close in 2027.

The FAA said it will oversee an investigation of last week’s flight test of SpaceX’s Starship V3 rocket. During the test, the engines on the rocket’s Super Heavy first-stage booster failed to fire properly after stage separation for what was meant to be a controlled descent and splashdown. As a result, the booster tumbled through its atmospheric re-entry and broke apart, with debris falling into the Gulf of Mexico. Starship’s return to flight will be based on the FAA determining that any system, process or procedure related to the mishap will not affect public safety.

EV sales in Australia have been growing exponentially for over a decade. In 2021, 17,243 EVs were sold. In 2025, that number hit 103,269. If the same growth rate continues — and there's good reason to think it will — Australia could be selling over a million EVs per year by 2029 or 2030, representing somewhere between 75-80% of the entire new car market.

That's not a prediction from an EV enthusiast. That's what the data actually shows when you extend the trend line that's been consistent for 15 years.

The growth has been anything but smooth — it comes in jumps. The Tesla Model 3 launch in 2019 caused the first visible spike. The Model Y launch in mid-2022 caused another. The arrival of affordable Chinese EVs from BYD, MG, and others caused the most recent surge.

April 2026 hit a record 16.4% EV market share — nearly one in six new cars sold. That's up from essentially zero a decade ago.

The pattern follows a classic S-curve adoption model. We're currently in the steep part of that curve — the phase where growth accelerates fastest and mainstream buyers start switching in large numbers. The fuel price crisis in 2026, combined with prices dropping to under $25,000 for some models, has pulled even more buyers in earlier than expected.

What Happens to the EV Market at 80% Penetration

When a new technology reaches this kind of penetration, a few things happen simultaneously that matter for buyers today:

Resale values stabilise — right now used EV prices are uncertain because the market is new. At 80% adoption, used EVs are as mainstream as used petrol cars today. Resale values become predictable and generally strong for quality models.

Charging infrastructure catches up — at current adoption rates, charging networks are being built ahead of demand. By the time we approach 80%, public charging will be as ubiquitous as petrol stations. The infrastructure concern disappears.

Petrol car resale crashes — this is the flip side. As EVs become the norm, petrol cars become increasingly undesirable on the used market. The people waiting to buy a petrol car "one last time" will face a resale problem at the end of their ownership.

Service network shifts — traditional mechanics will increasingly pivot to EV servicing or lose relevance. EV-specific service networks will be mature and well established.

What This Means for Your Decision Right Now

If Australia genuinely hits 75-80% EV adoption by 2030, that's just 4 years away. Here's what that trajectory means for buyers making decisions in 2026:

Buying an EV now means you're buying into the mainstream, not the fringe. The early adopter risk is largely gone. The cars are proven, the warranties are solid, the service networks exist, and the charging infrastructure works for most Australian driving.

The financial incentives are at their peak right now and declining. The FBT exemption — the biggest financial benefit available to EV buyers — is being wound back from April 2027. The window for maximum benefit is open today and closing.

Waiting gets harder, not easier. As EVs become the dominant choice, dealer incentives and government support will reduce. The cars that exist in 2028-2030 will be better — but they'll also be sold in a market with less financial support for buyers.

The Models Driving Growth

The brands making the biggest contribution to Australia's EV growth trajectory right now:

BYD — the Sealion 7 is currently Australia's best selling EV with sales up 342% year to date. The Dolphin, Atto 3, and Seal are all performing strongly. BYD's ability to deliver quality EVs at sub-$55,000 price points has been the single biggest accelerant of Australian adoption.

Tesla — the Model Y remains one of Australia's top selling cars overall. The refreshed Model Y and Model 3 have strengthened Tesla's position despite increasing competition.

Kia and Hyundai — the EV3, EV5, Ioniq 5, and Ioniq 6 are all selling strongly. Korean brands have benefited from the trust that comes with established dealer networks and strong warranty programs.

MG — the MG4 is the most affordable quality EV in Australia and is pulling in buyers who wouldn't have considered an EV at higher price points.

I recently took the KGM Musso EV on a road trip to my brother’s 50th birthday party and his surprise wedding. I chose the Musso electric ute because I needed a suitable vehicle that would get me out there. And I thought it would be a good opportunity to see what the 4WD enthusiast crowd made of the Musso, because it resembles something they may consider driving one day.

My brother Ant helped me determine that the Musso EV is not going to replace a tricked out 4WD anytime soon, due to its low ground clearance and rudimentary traction control system. Still, it enabled me to collect some ground truth, as Dr Karl Kruszelnicki calls it, by speaking to real 4WD enthusiasts about electric vehicles.

The headline to this article starts with the word “even” because I have long thought that 4WDs and utes would be the last vehicle segment to realise the numerous benefits of EVs. I have talked to my brother and his mates about them many times in the past, although this time I noticed a significant shift in their opinions and a genuine curiosity rather than upfront dismissal.

A quick example helps to illustrate this subtle, but important shift in sentiment. Less than 3 years ago, around the time of my very first article on The Driven, one of my brother’s mates Paulie was giving me a lift to Ant’s place for a working bee weekend to pour concrete slabs for the shed he had just built.

On the drive out Paulie said something along the lines of, “I won’t buy an EV until it has 1,000 km range from a tiny battery the size of a lead-acid 12 V.” After I tried to explain why physics dictates this is unlikely to happen, at least with known technologies, we moved onto other topics.

This time around however, I offered Paulie a quick drive of the Musso and he came back with a huge grin on his face saying, “That’s awesome!”

Concerns around range and charging remain

Over the weekend whenever the topic of EVs came up, invariably started by people wondering what the Musso EV was, I was pleasantly surprised that most people were openly asking questions and receptive to the stories I shared from my experience. I only heard one person spouting misinformation about heavy EVs ruining car parks.

Range and charging stood out as the biggest concerns holding 4WD owners back from making the shift, as well as a lack of serious options aside from the $250,000 Mercedes-Benz G580 with EQ Technology or expensive 4WD conversions from places like Australian EVS and Electrogusto.

Australian EVS converted Toyota Landcruiser at Everything Electric Sydney in 2025. Source: Tim Eden

Australian EVS converted Toyota Landcruiser at Everything Electric Sydney in 2025. Source: Tim Eden

On the topic of range and charging, I talked about the time I borrowed a Tesla Model 3 Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive and drove it from Sydney to Canberra and back on a single charge. I also mentioned the crazy fast charging times enabled by BYD’s flash charging technology and the subsequent one-upmanship by CATL.

While sharing these stories I could start to see peoples eyes light up and minds ticking over at the possibilities, especially with newer EVs coming out boasting over 800 km range and less than 5 minute charging times.

Why the shift in sentiment?

I should have asked my brother’s friends this exact question, but unfortunately I didn’t, so these are my best guesses. I think the biggest reason has been the recent rise in fuel prices from the Iran war. My brother said his 4WD club, which includes most of his mates at the party, were making changes to upcoming trips to stay more local and reduce travel costs.

The impact of rising fuel prices on people with combustion cars often escapes me, as I have been driving an electric car for nearly 7 years now. However, during a chat with the builder down the road who drives a diesel VW Amarok ute, he told me it has a 200 L tank and cost him over $500 last time he filled it up, which stunned me.

One of my new nephews as a result of the wedding shared his perspective. Jake bought a Shark 6 and a mild hybrid within the last 12 months, but says he now wishes he’d gone full EV because they also recently got solar and a big home battery. For them, it is more about being able to make the most of the renewable energy assets they now have.

Another reason that springs to mind is that people who 4WD and camp have first hand experience with battery technology advancements, through the transition from lead-acid to lithium-ion batteries to power their fridges, combined with portable solar panels and in some cases induction cooking to remove the need for gas bottles.

Indefinite travel with zero fuel cost

For a while now I’ve had visions of people being able to explore the wide open countryside of Australia or elsewhere with a zero emissions all-electric setup. Think of an EV combined with enough portable solar to recharge the high-voltage battery in a reasonable timeframe, enabling indefinite travel with zero fuel cost.

As long as you can carry enough food and water, or live off the land, combined with an atmospheric water generator or water maker for emergencies, it opens up all kinds of possibilities. You could travel Martian style across deserts or camp out in remote areas as long as you feel like it, without needing to head to the nearest civilisation to refuel.

In terms of how much solar would actually be required in the form of a pull out solar canopy or solar trailer, this depends on how quickly you want to recharge. Assuming you want to charge via a 7 kW AC connection, you would probably need at least 10 kW of panels. With a standard rooftop solar panel at around 22 – 23 % efficiency, this equates to 45 square metres.

Flexible panels that could be rolled up or stored more easily are not as efficient, ranging from just 10 % to 20 %. Space and weight of a big enough solar system are going to be the limiting factor, so at this stage it seems like you would need at least a few days to recharge until flexible panels become lighter and more efficient.

My ultimate camping setup

Once our kids have both finished school in a few years time my wife and I are planning on doing some more travelling and camping with an EV. We only have rough plans at this stage, but my ultimate setup combines a rooftop tent and portable power station like those from Anker Solix or EcoFlow in the boot to run lights, a fridge and induction cooking.

Rivian R1T. SourcE: Rivian

Rivian R1T. SourcE: Rivian

Originally I thought mounting some solar on the rooftop tent would be a good idea so it would trickle charge the power station while driving, but I think the overall setup would be cleaner if using a fold out solar panel as necessary while stationary. The EV would also have V2L so this could be used to quickly recharge the power station or act as backup if the power station dies.

Using data from my own experiments, a 2-3 kWh portable power station should easily run this kind of setup for a few days even without charging. This would be enough energy to cook at least a few meals or boil up to 20-25 L of water.

A portable power station can also act as an electric jerry can, providing a small amount of range to the vehicle in an emergency situation. I have seen some YouTubers use this approach when testing EVs until they stop, then plugging them into a power station to get enough charge into the battery to drive to the nearest charging station.

Exciting times are ahead

As described above, I always thought it would be a long while until decent electric 4WD options were available, and the die hard enthusiasts would consider switching. After my recent chats however, I now think this segment of the market is keen and ready to explode once some compelling and affordable options arrive.

This shift in sentiment also gives me more confidence that we will see another drastic uptick in EV sales once those compelling ute or 4WD models arrive, propelling us towards 80 % EV sales by 2030 or soon after.

My experience also caused me to reflect on my career. In the past I thought things might get less interesting and I may do something else when electric cars became more mainstream. In contrast, I think things are actually getting more exciting than ever as EV technology pushes the boundaries and makes its way into all segments of transport.

One last interesting conversation worth mentioning is with a guy called Rory, who is into rock crawling, an extreme and highly specialised sub-segment of 4WDing. He wants to build an insane electric rock crawler with 4 hub motors, and believes it could change the sport forever.

Rory currently drives a big American ute so he can tow his rock crawler around on a trailer, but he would be happy to switch to a viable electric alternative if that would save on fuel and enable him to recharge his electric rock crawler’s relatively small battery using V2L between races. This all just goes to show you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover.

Summary

A more affordable entry into the range is welcome, and the towing upped to 3500kg for the Performance now opens up to more buyers. But there are some annoyances with the ADAS and firm ride, which seems like a missed opportunity to sort out with these new offerings.

Likes

Well-trimmed and nice interior, even in the base variant

Greater towing ability

Drives more like a car than a ute around town

Dislikes

Annoying driver assistance systems

Firm and uncomfortable ride over bumps

Drives more like a car than a ute off-road

Chinese commercial vehicle and heavy equipment manufacturer Sany has entered Vietnam's electric heavy-duty truck segment with the launch of the EV550 tractor. The company has already secured orders for more than 100 electric heavy-duty trucks in the country.

Sany ev vietnam long son cement

Image: Sany

By Sagar Parikh

26.05.2026 - 15:00

Sany has appointed Hung Thinh EV Truck, a new subsidiary of Vietnamese conglomerate Hung Thinh, as the exclusive local distributor of its electric tractor trucks. The company says that Long Son Cement, a local cement manufacturer, placed an order for 100 electric heavy-duty trucks on the first day, setting a new national record in the segment.

The Chinese company has not clarified whether all 100 units will comprise the EV550 or a mix of different models. It delivered the first batch immediately after the launch ceremony, comprising eight units of the EV550. Following Long Son Cement, several transportation and industrial companies signed purchase agreements for Sany’s electric heavy-duty trucks, with orders ranging from ten to 40 units.

Globally, Sany offers the EV550 in ‘composite’ and ‘super’ versions, which support a maximum combined weight of up to 75 tonnes and 120 tonnes, respectively. The composite version measures 7.35 m in length, 2.55 m in width and 3.72 m in height. The company equips it with a 270 kW motor and a four-speed automated manual transmission and offers a choice of 282 kWh, 350 kWh and 423 kWh battery packs.

Each battery pack can be swapped in less than five minutes or fast-charged from 10 per cent to 90 per cent capacity in one hour or less. At 7,395 mm, the super version is 50 mm longer due to its increased tandem rear-axle spacing, but it has an identical width and height. Sany uses the same 270 kW motor and offers two of the aforementioned swappable battery pack options: 282 kWh and 350 kWh

Surpassing all expectations, Colombia’s EV market is once again growing at explosive rates, with sales in April 2026 more than 300% above those in April 2025. BEV market share alone almost reached 20%, compared with 7.4% 12 months ago! The market has grown faster than even the most optimistic of us ever predicted, and I’m now wondering if my original forecast of 50% EV market share by late 2028 is going to fall short.

A large part of the change, as we mentioned in a previous article, is the dramatic lowering in prices triggered by several brands, but mainly by Tesla, in late 2025. Most EVs can now be considered slightly cheaper than comparable ICEVs in the Colombian market (and much cheaper than hybrids), and even though this has come at the cost of relatively limited range, at least in the affordable segments, it’s clearly been enough to massively promote electric mobility.

Let’s look at the numbers!

Market overview

EV sales have reached an all-time high of almost 6,000 units, more than quadrupling results from a year ago. Sales have benefited from Tesla’s cumulative reserves, which have been available since November 2025 but only really ramped up deliveries in March, which is why March and April mark the absolute highest this market has ever reached:

Lexus RZ electric-car sales to grow, but remain modest, after up to $42,000 price cut

Lexus Australia expects to "well and truly exceed" the RZ's previous sales result, following a price cut of up to $42,000 despite specification upgrades – but don't expect it to set the charts alight.

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Electric Cars

Lexus RZ electric-car sales to grow, but remain modest, after up to $42,000 price cut

2026 Lexus RZ550e F Sport.

Lexus RZ sales are forecast to surge beyond the electric SUV's previous best year in Australia – 215 deliveries in 2024 – after up to $42,000 was cut from its list price.

However, Lexus does not expect the drastic price cut to increase RZ sales "exponentially", and says it will "test the market" to gauge demand for its updated EV.

On sale now, the updated RZ is $36,559 and $42,059 cheaper for carryover Luxury and Sports Luxury grades, while a new F Sport grade is the first production car sold in Australia with an aircraft-style steering 'yoke' control in place of a traditional steering wheel.

The significant price cuts are despite specification updates, including a larger battery capacity, improved driving range, more powerful electric motors, additional standard equipment, a faster maximum home wallbox charging speed, and increased braked towing capacity.

Lexus RZ electric-car sales to grow, but remain modest, after up to $42,000 price cut

2026 Lexus RZ.

Lexus Australia chief executive Jack Hobbs said the brand expects to "well and truly exceed" 2024's result, the RZ's last full year on sale, "in the seven months remaining this year".

Just 41 examples of the RZ were reported as sold in Australia in 2025, due to the changeover to the updated model launched this month.

However, RZ sales are expected to remain modest, compared with other luxury SUVs, such as Lexus's own hybrid-dominated NX medium and RX large SUVs – along with more affordable electric models, including the Tesla Model Y and Zeekr 7X.

"I’m not so sure about exponentially," said Hobbs. "We think we can exceed that in the seven months to go, and it’ll be a good opportunity for us to test the market and see how much desire there is out there."

Lexus RZ electric-car sales to grow, but remain modest, after up to $42,000 price cut

2026 Lexus RZ550e F Sport.

The RZ will also face competition from a range of new-generation electric luxury SUVs when they arrive in Australia, including the BMW iX3, Mercedes-Benz GLC EV and Volvo EX60, which offer up to 805km of WLTP driving range compared with 460km for the Lexus.

Priced from $84,500 before on-road costs, the 2026 Lexus RZ is now under the current Luxury Car Tax (LCT) threshold for zero-emission vehicles, making it eligible for the Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) exemption for novated lease customers.

The Toyota bZ4X-based electric SUV also undercuts the Australian launch prices of the EX60 (from $86,990) and iX3 (from $109,900) – along with the existing Audi Q6 e-tron (from $99,900) – while details for the GLC EV are yet to be confirmed.

Lexus RZ electric-car sales to grow, but remain modest, after up to $42,000 price cut

2026 Lexus RZ500e Sports Luxury.

"The price repositioning we think does meet the market needs and will allow more of our customers to move into a BEV [battery electric vehicle], which is great," Hobbs said.

"Of course, every pure BEV is very good for the credits on NVES [New Vehicle Efficiency Standard] as well. We're very happy to sell every [RZ] we can."

"There are a number of factors that have gone into the repositioning of the price. There's been some significant technological advances, particularly in battery manufacturing.

"There's also been some shifts in the marketplace that have allowed us to bring this model in at a price which we think delivers exceptional value without compromising the technology or the craftsmanship. I think this is a really good position for our customers.

Lexus RZ electric-car sales to grow, but remain modest, after up to $42,000 price cut

2026 Lexus RZ500e Sports Luxury.

"Obviously, we're in a very competitive market, and we need to make sure we continuously serve the market and make sure our offerings are fit for purpose in that market, and as you know, the technology is evolving rapidly, which means those production efficiencies allow us to reduce cost."

Compared with the outgoing RZ – launched in Australia in 2023 at $123,000 – the updated model does not include the Lexus Encore Platinum Electrified ownership program, instead reverting to the same Encore membership as the LBX, UX, NX, RX, GX and ES.

Those additional benefits included standard installation of a home wallbox charger, three years of free charging on the Chargefox public network, valet parking, airport lounge access, and temporary access to other Lexus models.

"We're always looking at the Encore offering and trying to tailor that, and I guess in the spirit of Kaizen [continuous improvement], trying to see how that best suits the customer," Hobbs said.

Lexus RZ electric-car sales to grow, but remain modest, after up to $42,000 price cut

2026 Lexus RZ500e Luxury.

"The original Encore Electrified was at the early adopter stage, where people didn't necessarily have a home charging device.

"Now, a couple of years later, we're seeing that people are either changing from an EV into another EV, or maybe they don't charge at home – they charge at work or in other places."

The RZ550e F Sport, available from $105,000, includes Australia's first 'yoke' steering control as standard, connected to a steer-by-wire system that replaces the physical connection between the steering wheel and the front wheels with an electronic link.

Steer-by-wire technology reduces hand-over-hand movement when turning from centre to full left or right lock, requiring about 200 degrees of movement.

The F Sport also introduces a Hyundai Ioniq 5 N-style manual drive mode with eight simulated gears.

Lexus RZ electric-car sales to grow, but remain modest, after up to $42,000 price cut

2026 Lexus RZ550e F Sport.

Lexus Australia product planning and development manager Julian Meldrum said there were no regulatory hurdles to bring the new RZ's steering yoke control to Australia, though it skipped an earlier iteration.

"There was an earlier iteration of that, which we didn't end up launching, and there was a revisit globally into global regulation," Meldrum said.

"On our side, of course, we comply with all regulations. I don't know that there were any specific ones for our market, but I guess the main point being that we'll always strive to comply, and if there were [new] regulations brought in, we would understand how they impact us and what we can offer to the customers."

A limited-edition Lexus RZ600e F Sport Performance is due in Australia later this year in "extremely limited" quantities, with pricing yet to be confirmed

BYD aims to end 2026 among Top Three sellers despite electric-car sales stabilising

Despite the surge in EV sales from the Middle East conflict easing, BYD says it is still aiming to finish in the Top Three for new car sales in Australia this year.

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BYD aims to end 2026 among Top Three sellers despite electric-car sales stabilising

BYD Australia has signalled its goal to place among the Top Three best-selling car brands in Australia for calendar-year 2026 – not just in one or two months – thanks to an expanded Shark 6 ute range, two new models, and two major updates for existing vehicles.

Currently sitting in fifth place with sales figures year-to-date behind Toyota, Mazda, Kia, and Ford, the Chinese car giant placed third in March and second in April.

“We want to be around the Top Three by the end of this year. We're tracking, we're tracking pretty well thus far,” BYD Australia chief operating officer Stephen Collins told Drive.

“I think we'll get to the end of June [with] roughly around 50,000 units [sold], which is not far off our full-year volume for last year.”

BYD aims to end 2026 among Top Three sellers despite electric-car sales stabilising

Part of the brand’s strategy to boost figures is in motion with a company-owned, roll-on roll-off vessel – the BYD Zhengzhou – destined for Australia and docking in Melbourne on 2 June, with the brand saying all cars on the vessel are already sold.

The ship makes up part of the 30,000 cars set to land in Australia across May and June, which is approximately triple its usual shipments.

For the brand to reach top-three status in sales, it will likely need to trump Mazda’s 91,923 sales in 2025, and rival the 94,399 Ford vehicles that were reported as rolling off the showroom floor in the same year.

With the brand’s growth, it is on track to deliver as many as 90,000 vehicles in 2026 after reporting 7702 vehicle deliveries in April – a 140.2 per cent growth year-on-year.

BYD aims to end 2026 among Top Three sellers despite electric-car sales stabilising

Still, Collins says the brand “is not obsessed” with where it finishes at the end of the year, with changing economic environments due to the conflict in the Middle East.

“There are a lot of external factors that could influence the market in particular… Obviously with the crisis in the Middle East.

“But I think just the macroeconomic environment... There's likely to be more interest rate rises, and interest rate rises are designed to slow the economy… We're not obsessed with what number we finish. We just want to keep growing.”

BYD saw a spike in orders for electric cars shortly after the conflict in the Middle East began to hit fuel prices hard in March, though Collins says the sales split between EV and its other offerings has stabilised.

BYD aims to end 2026 among Top Three sellers despite electric-car sales stabilising

“My observation is that it's pretty much settled. We obviously saw a big influx in March, early April, but I think things have settled in terms of EVs.

“I think in March, EVs [were] around 70 per cent of our mix, which is very high. Normally it's about 50 per cent, and it’s back to about 50.”

To the end of April, BYD has reported 25,243 sales year-to-date, and if demand settles to February levels – when it reported 5322 deliveries – the brand may finish the year around 70,000 hand-overs

Iron ore mining giant Fortescue has fitted out its first giant electric haul truck with its own electric power system, ahead of the planned start of operations in the Pilbara, where more than 300 of these fully electric beasts will play a central role in the company’s target of eliminating fossil fuels by 2030.

The company also revealed on Monday that commissioning has started on another in-house technology development, the 6 megawatt (MW) chargers that will be able to top up the huge trucks in just half an hour.

“Another big step for decarbonisation at Fortescue: for the first time, our Fortescue Zero production series power system has been integrated with a Liebherr T 264 battery electric truck,” Warren Harris, the head of delivery at Fortescue, wrote on LinkedIn over the weekend.

“Getting a 240-tonne battery electric truck ready for the Pilbara is one of the toughest challenges we’ve taken on. But this integration proves the technology is here, and it’s getting closer to operations.

“Huge credit to the teams who take on these challenges, finding the engineering solutions and putting them into action. Looking forward to seeing the next truck arrive on site soon.”

The photo reveals that the truck is fitted out with a trolley assist system pantograph (on the roof), similar to those being used by some electric buses in Sydney.

But Harris said Fortescue is not intending to use pantograph charging systems, although other companies might, and will charge the massive 2.6 MWh batteries with the 6 MW fast chargers the company has developed.

The truck in the photo is actually in the US, and is being used as a trial for the fit out. The first electric truck that will actually be used in the Pilbara is currently being fitted out in Perth.

“Our 6 MW chargers are very real,” Harris wrote in response to some skeptical responses to his LinkedIn post. “Pantograph can have smaller batteries. As you know all mines are different. Fortescue’s will not have the pantograph instead opting for bigger batteries.”

In a separate announcement on Monday, Fortescue CEO Dino Otranto said Fortescue’s first battery electric haul truck is expected to be operational before the end of the year.

“Its first in-house developed 6MW fast charger has commenced commissioning and will support the rollout of battery electric haul trucks across the Pilbara,” he said.

“The charger will be capable of fully charging a haul truck in approximately 30 minutes.”

Fortescue is already operating 16 electric excavators – which are each saving one million litres of diesel a year – and an electric drill already operating across its iron ore operations. Around half of the company’s 70-strong excavator fleet will be electric by the end of 2026.

Facility testing of XCMG’s prototype battery electric wheel loader, dozer, grader and water cart is now in the final stages, with the equipment preparing to make the journey from China to the Pilbara for site testing.

Fortescue will be sourcing electric haul trucks from both Liebherr and China’s XCMG. The company is expected to complete the construction of its green grid – all powered by renewables and storage – by 2028 at a cost of more than $6 billion.

On Monday it also announced that it had begun construction of a new 680 MW solar farm, as well as a giant eight hour grid battery (650 MWh) that is part of plans to fully decarbonise its electricity grid as early as 2028.

See our piece on our sister site Renew Economy: Fortescue starts construction of Australia’s biggest solar farm outside main grid, and giant eight-hour battery

It expects to complete the electrification of all mining equipment and transport – excavators, drills, trucks and other equipment – by 2030, and is urging the federal government to put a cap on diesel rebates to encourage other big miners to do the same.

Volvo has announced the Australian pricing for the new EX60, a luxury all-electric mid-size SUV with a range of up to 660 kilometres, which will be available from $86,990 – before on road costs – when it lands later this year.

The Volvo EX60 was unveiled earlier this year and will initially be available in two different powertrains – a rear-wheel powered P6 variant with a range of up to 610km, and a P10 all-wheel drive variant with a range of up to 660km (all ranges WLTP).

Both variants will come equipped with an 800V architecture built on the SPA3 platform and powered by Volvo’s HuginCore system. Battery sizes differ depending on the variant – 83kWh for the EX60 P6 and 95kWh for the EX60 P10 – with both featuring a ten-year battery warranty.

A third variant available overseas with a massive 117kWh battery and a range of over 810km is not yet planned to be introduced into Australia.

Pricing for the Volvo EX60 Ultra P6 RWD will start from $86,990 (MRRP), and from $101,990 (MRRP) for the Volvo EX60 Ultra P10 AWD.

Both variants will benefit from over-the-air updates and will be packed with technologies including Google’s new artificial intelligence (AI) assistance Gemini and a range of safety features, as befits a Volvo.

One of the safety features Volvo is touting is the new multi-adaptive safety belt, a world-first and award-winning safety innovation that the company says offers smarter and more personalised protection in the front row.

Image Credit: Volvo Cars Australia

Also as standard on both variants is a premium 28-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system including headrest speakers in all four main seats. The EX60 will also be the first Volvo with Apple Music pre-installed with Dolby Atmos, delivering and immersive Spatial Audio experience.

An electrochromic panoramic roof, rear glass tinting, and integrated child booster cushions are also included as standard, while the EX60 Ultra P10 AWD adding additional features such as active suspension.

Geely will launch its refreshed EX2 hatchback in China on May 28. The locally named Xingyuan receives minor cosmetic updates and a range increase to 460 km CLTC. While pricing is unannounced, the current EX2 retails for 68,800-87,800 yuan (10,100-12,900 USD).

The EX2, a compact EV hatchback, launched in 2024 under Geely’s Geome sub-brand. Now sold under the Galaxy sub-brand, this change was confirmed by late 2025 spy shots. It is currently China’s best-selling car, with 465,775 units delivered in 2025, according to China EV Datatracker.

The refresh brings slight cosmetic changes to the EX2, with new Galaxy logos and additional Aero Hubcap designs. The LFP battery is upgraded, with 35 kWh and 47 kWh packs now available for CLTC ranges of 360 km and 460 km, respectively.

The EX2’s motors likely remain unchanged: smaller packs have a 58 kW (78 hp) rear motor and bigger packs have an 85 kW (114 hp) rear motor. While the current EX2 uses CATL LFP packs, Geely has not disclosed suppliers for the refresh.

Fast charging is currently standard, with Geely claiming a 30–80% charge in 21 minutes. Improvements are likely in the refresh. Rear-motor RWD remains the only drivetrain option.

Liquid battery cooling is standard on all EX2 models, giving it a unique edge over rivals such as the BYD Seagull (Dolphin Mini/Surf) and Wuling Binguo (Bingo). Most other cars in this class reserve liquid cooling for higher trim levels, leaving entry-level versions with air-cooled batteries.

For reference, the EX2 measures 4135 mm in height, 1,805 mm in width, 1,570 in height, and has a 2,650 mm wheelbase. Chassis-wise, it gets McPherson struts up front and a multi-link independent rear suspension. Rivals in its class often feature rear torsion bars, which usually come with a comfort penalty.

According to China EV Datatracker, the Geely EX2 is a strong performer in China’s auto market, delivering 34,727 units domestically in April 2026. Its sales figures peaked in September 2025 at 48,080 units.

Still, the model has been on the market largely unchanged for almost 2 years now, and a refresh, along with a range boost, should help it maintain momentum.

Geely’s invitation to the launch of the refreshed EX2 on May 28, held at the Beijin

The most expensive Zeekr 7X sold in Australia could become a permanent member of the line-up, if the brand can secure enough stock.

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Zeekr 7X Black Special Edition could return after high demand

A return of Zeekr’s blacked-out flagship 7X is under consideration after the original batch of 600 cars sold out “near-instantly”.

Zeekr Australia head of digital, Andrew Stamatakis, told Drive another run of Black Special Edition variants is under discussion as a permanent addition to the model line-up.

“We're listening to feedback. We're talking to the factory to understand what sort of supply we could get if we wanted to make it permanent,” he said.

“Our customer feedback has been incredible so far, so we are constantly talking to the factory.”

Zeekr 7X Black Special Edition could return after high demand

The initial batch of 600 Black Editions were priced from $75,900 plus on-road costs, $3000 more than the Performance AWD on which they were based.

Styling changes for the limited edition include black badges, black exterior trim, black paint as standard, and 20-inch black wheels in place of 21-inch machined-finish alloys.

The Performance AWD has proven to be the most popular variant in the 7X line-up, accounting for the majority of deliveries, while Forest Green and black are emerging as the most popular colours.

Zeekr 7X Black Special Edition could return after high demand

“It varies state-to-state. We're seeing a lot of uptake in the green colour; I mean, it's my personal favourite,” said Stamatakis.

“But the Black Edition sold out near instantly, so we're seeing that people love blacked out cars as well. [The most popular colour is] between black and green.”