u/zecar_

Summary of every every live EV/PHEV deal this month.

📊 The numbers

• 37 live offers across 18 brands
• 27 vehicle discounts / cashback / drive-away pricing
• 7 finance offers
• 2 free home charger offers
• 1 free servicing offer
• 13 end on 31 October, the rest run to December or later

🏆 Brands with the most deals

1. BYD – 11 (including $4,000 cashback on seven models: Sealion 5, Sealion 6, Sealion 7, Sealion 8, Seal 6, Seal 6 Touring and Shark 6)
2. MG – 4
3. GWM – 3
4. Chery, KGM, Tesla, Volvo – 2 each

💸 Biggest savings

• Polestar 3 – free drivetrain upgrade worth $14,400 (orders by 31 Dec)
• Toyota bZ4X – up to $12,500 in value (home charger or Chargefox credit + up to $7,500 finance deposit contribution)
• BYD Atto 1 Essential – $19,990 drive away, up to $7,204 in savings. Cheapest new car in the country, EV or petrol
• KGM Torres EVX – $5,010 factory bonus, no fixed end date
• BYD Dolphin Essential – $28,888 drive away (~$4,262 saving)
• MG IM5 / IM6 – $3,000 cashback + $500 accessories bonus, stackable

🏦 Cheapest finance

• Geely EX5, EX2, Starray EM-i – 0.09% p.a. comparison, no deposit, no balloon (or 6% off on novated)
• Chery E5 – 0.70% comparison, 10% deposit
• GWM PHEVs – 0.88% p.a. (2.71% comparison), zero deposit. It’s this OR the drive-away price, not both
• XPENG G6 – 2.88% p.a., no deposit, no fees
• Volvo – 1% p.a. off the standard loan rate on EVs, half funded by the CEFC

🚀 Launch / intro specials

• Leapmotor B03X – from $29,990 drive away, arriving November. Cheapest all-electric SUV on sale
• BYD Atto 2 DM-i – from $24,990 + ORC, cheapest PHEV in Australia
• Smart #5 – free 7.4kW wall box worth $1,990 (first 60 buyers only)

🔌 Free charging / servicing

• GWM ORA 5 – free 7kW charger on novated leases, from $33,990 drive away
• KGM Musso EV – 3 years / 60,000km free servicing
• GAC AION UT – $31,990 drive away bundled with a 22kW wall charger

The B03X comes in two variants, both RWD with V2L and a 14.6-inch screen:

Variant	Battery	WLTP range	DC charging	Drive-away
Style	39.8kWh LFP	292km	100kW	$29,990
Design LR	53kWh LFP	382km	133kW	$33,990

Drive-away pricing applies to Acorn Brown stock delivered by 31 December. Other colours add $990. At $29,990 it undercuts the BYD Atto 2 Dynamic ($31,990 before on-roads) and sits level with the GWM Ora 5 Lux on drive-away pricing. The Design LR leads both on WLTP range (382km vs 345km for the Atto 2) and DC charging speed (133kW vs 82kW for the Atto 2).

Do you think this is a competitive offering against the BYD Atto 2 and GWM Ora 5?

The TL2 motor replaces the previous 142kW unit, a 34kW jump, while energy consumption drops from 12.8 to 12.4kWh/100km. Price in China is unchanged. Zecar estimates the WLTP equivalent for Australia would be around 704km, up from the current 681km.

Tesla Australia has made no announcement, but the Australian Model Y L is built on the same Shanghai line as the Chinese car and is mechanically identical. Timing is unconfirmed. Buyers with orders in place can ask their advisor to check the motor spec once a VIN is assigned.

The 16-inch screen (2560x1440, up from 15.4-inch 1920x1200) and dark headliner bring the Model 3 in line with the Model Y, which got both in January 2026. V2L (Powershare) is now standard on all MY27 Model 3 variants via the $145 Tesla Outlet Adapter, outputting up to 3.45kW. Two cosmetic additions: Zen Grey replaces the white interior option, and Dark Nova wheels are now available on the Premium.

Australia gets a better deal than some markets. The US gets the 16-inch screen but no dark headliner on most trims and no V2L. Canada doesn't get any of the three changes yet.

Freelander is a 50:50 joint venture between Chery and Jaguar Land Rover, combining JLR's British design heritage with Chery's EV and hybrid technology. The Freelander 8 is its flagship: over 5.1 metres long, five or six seats, BEV/PHEV/EREV powertrains, 800V architecture, CATL batteries and Huawei's Qiankun ADS 5.0 driver assistance. It launched in China on 3 September and will compete with the BMW X5, Mercedes GLE, Volvo XC90 and Land Rover Discovery locally.

Australian pricing, specs and an exact launch date are not yet confirmed. Freelander will be the sixth Chery-linked brand in Australia alongside Chery, Omoda Jaecoo, Lepas and iCAUR.

Does Chery have the most brands in Australia?

The i3 will come in two variants, both AWD on an 800V platform with up to 400kW DC charging and 22kW AC:

Variant	Power	0-100	WLTP range	Price (before ORC)
i3 40 xDrive	275kW / 520Nm	5.4 sec	710km	$96,900
i3 50 xDrive	345kW / 645Nm	4.7 sec	912km	$112,900

The 912km figure on the i3 50 xDrive is the longest claimed WLTP range of any EV confirmed for Australia. Both variants come standard with M Sport, adaptive suspension, BMW Panoramic Vision, 3D head-up display, panoramic roof, Harman Kardon audio, heated front and rear seats, and a frunk.

The main rival on price is the Mercedes-Benz CLA 350 4MATIC at $91,300. The Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD is $32,000 cheaper at $64,900 but falls well short on range and charging speed.

Do you think this is appropriately priced? Will it eat into sales of the BMW 320 and M350?

The updated EX5 (sold in China as the Galaxy E5) launched on 23 September with four RWD variants on an 800V platform. Peak DC charging hits around 360-400kW, taking roughly 9 minutes to reach 80%. WLTP range of up to 514km from the larger 70kWh battery, plus a 160L frunk the current model doesn't have.

Competition in the small/medium SUV segment is heating up. The EX5 is currently Australia's third-best selling EV with over 10,000 sales in 2026, but two new rivals just landed at the same price point with faster charging: the BYD Atto 3 Evo Premium (220kW DC, $46,990) and XPeng L03 Long Range (236kW DC, $46,900). The current Australian EX5 tops out at 100kW DC.

Geely has not confirmed the update for Australia. Based on the previous model's timeline, Q3 2027 is the most likely window if it does come.

Amber and BYD have partnered on Australia's largest residential V2G trial, backed by ARENA and scaling to 1,000 homes. New Atto 3 buyers who join get 6% off RRP before on-roads, bringing the Dynamic to around $39,471 and the Premium to around $44,171. The Sealion 7 is also eligible for the program with full BYD warranty support, though the 6% discount applies to the Atto 3 only.

The program requires an Amber electricity subscription and a compatible bidirectional charger installed by an authorised Amber installer. The StarCharge Halo starts at $2,990 for single-phase. Amber estimates $2,000 to $2,500 in annual energy bill savings for households with solar. Minimum 12-month commitment. Available in VIC, SA, NSW, ACT and south-east QLD. Offer runs until 31 December 2026.

Pre-orders open before end of 2026. The 07L is a 4,910mm mid-large SUV on an 800V platform, targeting the Zeekr 7X and Tesla Model Y with sub-four-second 0-100 performance on the top spec. Inside: a 15.6-inch central touchscreen, a 35.4-inch panoramic display across the windscreen base, digital side mirrors, Meridian audio and Huawei-developed AI voice control.

Australian pricing and specs are not confirmed yet. The Huawei technology question that came up with the Avatr 07 sighting in Canberra earlier this year remains unanswered.

The Battle shipp 700 features: Three electric motors paired with a 2.0L turbo petrol, 47kWh battery, up to 170km electric range, 800V architecture, 800mm wading depth, air suspension and a full-size spare. Geely claims 830kW combined output and 0-100 in just over four seconds, which it says is the highest output in its class. It collected 43,900 Chinese orders within 60 minutes of opening.

Australian pricing is not confirmed. Based on Chinese pricing with a typical 15-20% import premium, estimates sit between $70,000 and $98,000 before on-roads, which would slot it below the Denza B8 ($91,000) and well below the LandCruiser 300 Hybrid ($156,060).

It is also part of a broader Geely expansion: the brand is doubling its Australian lineup from three to six models in 2027, adding the Emgrand sedan and Monjaro SUV alongside the Battleship 700. Geely hit the top 10 best-selling brands in Australia within 18 months of launching here.

The 7GT will launch with three variants, all on an 800V platform with ultra-fast DC charging:

Variant	Drive	Battery	WLTP range	Power	0-100	DC charging
RWD	RWD	75kWh LFP	525km	335kW	5.2 sec	Up to 420kW
Long Range RWD	RWD	100kWh NCM	670km	335kW	5.0 sec	Up to 420kW
Performance AWD	AWD	100kWh NCM	590km	500kW	3.1 sec	Up to 420kW

Designed in Gothenburg, the 7GT is a five-door shooting brake with a 0.25 drag coefficient, 456L boot (1,390L seats folded), 35.5-inch AR head-up display, 15.4-inch central touchscreen, heated and ventilated front seats with massage, and a 5-star Euro NCAP rating. Performance AWD gets active air suspension. Expressions of interest open now, first deliveries Q1 2027.

Pricing not confirmed yet but Zeekr has said it will sit between the Zeekr X ($48,900 driveaway) and Zeekr 7X ($57,900 before ORC).

The Cybercab will be on static display only and won't be driven on Australian roads. No steering wheel or pedals means it doesn't meet Australian Design Rules for road registration, and there's no regulatory framework here for driverless robotaxis yet.

City	Date
Sydney	21 September 2026
Brisbane and Gold Coast	October 2026
Canberra	October 2026
Melbourne	November 2026
Adelaide	November 2026
Perth	December 2026

For context: the Cybercab is already operating paid rides in Austin, Texas through Tesla's Robotaxi app. Production started at Gigafactory Texas earlier this year and Tesla has targeted a price under US$30,000 (~A$45,000). Whether it ever goes on sale or operates as a service in Australia depends on regulatory reform that hasn't been scheduled.

The MG3 Vibe previously held that title at $20,990 driveaway. Depending on state, buyers are saving $5,700 to $7,200 compared to the previous driveaway price. The Essential uses a 30kWh LFP battery, 65kW motor, 220km WLTP range and 10-80% DC charging in around 30 minutes. No end date on the offer.

Model	Driveaway price	Powertrain
BYD Atto 1 Essential	$19,990	Electric
MG3 Vibe	$20,990	Petrol
Kia Picanto Sport	$22,290	Petrol
Suzuki Swift Hybrid	$25,490	Petrol hybrid

An EV at the top of Australia's cheapest-car rankings. That's a first.

Pricing not yet confirmed. Australia will be the first market globally to get the U9 EV.

Spec	MG U9 EV	KGM Musso EV	Toyota HiLux BEV
Price	TBC	From $60,000 driveaway	From $74,990 before ORC
Battery	102.2kWh LFP	80.6kWh LFP	59.2kWh
Power	325kW / 700Nm	Up to 175kW / 630Nm	144kW / 468Nm
WLTP range	430km	380-420km	315km (NEDC)
Braked towing	3,500kg	1,800kg	2,000kg
DC charging	115kW (42 min 20-80%)	130kW (31 min)	150kW (~30 min)

The towing figure is the standout: 3,500kg puts it on par with diesel utes, well ahead of the Musso EV and HiLux BEV. The 115kW DC charging rate is slower than the Musso EV's 130kW, though still reasonable for the battery size. Inside: dual 12.3-inch screens, JBL audio, massage driver's seat, wireless CarPlay and Android Auto, and 6.6kW V2L.

Leapmotor has described Australia as the company's number one global opportunity for V2G, pointing to high rooftop solar penetration as the key driver. The company has confirmed local testing has begun but hasn't disclosed details including the model, charger and trial. No customer trial or commercial launch date has been announced.

Three key hurdles remain: battery warranty coverage for V2G cycles, compatibility with Australian electricity networks, and formal manufacturer support, which is required before a vehicle is considered verified V2G capable by the Australian Government.

If a trial does proceed, Amber's ARENA-funded V2G program (currently scaling from 50 to 1,000 homes) is the most likely vehicle, though neither Amber nor Leapmotor has confirmed a Leapmotor model is included yet.

The 15.6-inch touchscreen (up from 12.3-inch) is the headline addition, alongside a driver's seat with massage and ventilation, and a passenger seat upgraded to six-way power adjustment with ventilation added. An electrically operated charging port cover and active grille shutter are also new. The 155kW motor, 430km WLTP range and $37,990 driveaway starting price from the MY26 all carry over, though Chery hasn't confirmed MY27 pricing yet.

It makes its Australian debut at Everything Electric Sydney, 18 to 20 September.

The best performer was the Mercedes EQA at 94%, followed by the Hyundai Ioniq 5 (93.8%) and BMW i4 (93.6%). The Tesla Model Y came in at 90.3% and Model 3 at 88.9%. The Nissan Leaf was the weakest at 86.7%, though its small 40kWh battery makes the percentage drop more meaningful in real-world range terms.

The more important finding for used EV buyers: individual variation within the same model can be 10-15 percentage points. Two Model Ys with similar odometers could have up to 46km difference in real-world range. An independent battery health test (like Aviloo's) is becoming as useful as a mechanical inspection when buying used.

Would battery health concerns stop you from buying a used EV, or would an independent test give you enough confidence?

Tesla's "Dynamic Plan" charges 49.71c/kWh during peak (3pm to 9pm) and 24.02c/kWh off-peak (9pm to 3pm) for power you draw from the grid. On the export side, it pays 90% of the real-time wholesale price for solar or battery exports, which means earnings move with the market rather than sitting at a flat feed-in tariff. Powerwall owners get a separate Grid Services Credit for providing grid frequency support, though Tesla hasn't published a rate.

It's a hybrid model: import pricing works like a normal time-of-use retailer, export pricing behaves more like Amber. You sign up through the Tesla app. It replaces the old Tesla Energy Plan that ran through Energy Locals, which closed in September 2025.

Would you consider switching to Tesla Electric, or would you stick with your current retailer?