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The mycar 2026 Mobility Index surveyed 2,025 Australian vehicle owners in April 2026. Key findings:

• 46% plan to buy a hybrid or EV next (up from 36% in 2025)
• 86% of current EV and hybrid owners say they are satisfied
• Biggest barriers: reliability concerns (45%), running costs (44%), upfront price (23%)
• 33% still uncertain about regional and long-distance driving
• 31% unsure about trusting newer brands (mostly Chinese entrants)

Rising fuel prices are the main accelerant. The survey was taken during the fuel price spike that drove EV sales up 111% year on year in the following month. With the fuel excise reduction now winding back, the cost pressure is not going away.

The gap between intent and action is still the main challenge: satisfaction among owners is very high, but price and range confidence are still holding back the next wave of buyers.

The Australian Automobile Association's Real-World Testing Program has now covered 20 EVs. Key findings from the two newest results:

• Tesla Model Y Long Range: 559km real-world vs 600km WLTP (7% short, but the highest real-world figure of any EV tested)
• BYD Atto 3 Essential: 328km real-world vs 345km WLTP (5% short, one of the closest to its claim)

Only three of the 20 EVs broke 500km in real-world testing: the Model Y Long Range, Kia EV3 Air LR, and Kia EV5 Air LR. The worst performers fell 31% short of their WLTP figure.

Worth noting: the AAA's published Atto 3 shortfall was 20%, but that used the older NEDC-rated figure of 410km. The correct comparison is against the WLTP figure of 345km, which puts the real gap at just 5%.

BYD delivered 18,881 vehicles in June, its best month ever, taking first half 2026 sales to 52,335. Tesla sold 8,670 EVs, almost entirely Model Y, which likely finished as Australia's best selling car of any type for the second month running.

Three BYD models placed in Australia's overall top 10: Sealion 7 (second nationally, 4,730 units), Shark 6 (fifth, 3,398 units) and Atto 2 (eighth, 2,482 units in its first VFACTS month). BYD held 13.5% national market share, just behind Toyota at 13.7%.

The ACT is now Australia's most advanced EV market by a wide margin, with EVs hitting 43% of new car sales in June. Early estimates put the national EV share as high as 30%, up from a record 20% in May.

Both BYD and Tesla pointed to rising fuel prices as the key driver. Full VFACTS figures are expected next week.

The ORA 5 SUV is already on sale from $33,990 drive-away (150kW, 58.3kWh LFP, 430km WLTP, 120kW DC). Two more ORA models are coming later in 2026: an ORA 5 Hatch (same battery, sportier lower stance) and a stretched ORA 5 Touring mid-size SUV with an expected 71.1kWh battery.

On the PHEV ute front, the Cannon Hi4-T arrives in September to sit alongside the existing Cannon Alpha Hi4-T, giving GWM what it's calling Australia's broadest electrified ute range. Specs and pricing not yet confirmed but it's expected to go head to head with the BYD Shark 6 and Ford Ranger PHEV.

The Haval H7 (HEV and PHEV) and Haval Jolion Max (PHEV and BEV) round out the electrified additions, both due Q4 2026. GWM is targeting 60,000 Australian sales in 2026 and a top-five brand position by end of 2027.

Three body configurations available now through Jameel Motors Australia: Cab Chassis ($48,990), Tray ($50,990) and Cargo Box ($53,490). All share a 72.8kWh CATL LFP battery, 100kW DC charging and 11kW AC charging. Aimed at urban delivery, light freight and trade fleets.

It joins the recently launched Farizon V7E electric van ($49,990), giving the brand two commercial EV options in the Australian market.

XPeng has locked in the Mona L03 fastback SUV for Australia, targeting the Geely EX5 and BYD Atto 3. Expected to start around $45,000 before on-roads, with a 71kWh LFP battery offering up to 520km WLTP range, 183kW, 0-100 in 6.5 sec and average 149kW DC charging. An EREV range-extender variant with 1,000km+ total range is also expected.

It will also feature XPeng's VLA 2.0 self-driving system which comes free from 2027, saving buyers $8,940 over five years compared to Tesla's FSD subscription.

The Model Y L ($74,900) is a fully electric six-seater with 681km WLTP range and 250kW DC charging. The Sealion 8 Premium ($70,990) is a PHEV seven-seater with around 130km electric-only range backed by a petrol engine for longer trips.

On performance they are almost identical (5.0s vs 4.9s to 100km/h), but the similarities stop there. The Model Y L has far more cargo space at every measurement point, faster DC charging (250kW vs 74kW), a bigger usable battery and qualifies for the FBT novated lease exemption as a BEV. The Sealion 8 counters with a seventh seat, 2,000kg braked towing (vs 1,588kg), massaging rear seats, a 26-inch HUD, wireless CarPlay/Android Auto, and is $3,910 cheaper.

Model Y L for long-range EV buyers who want the biggest boot. Sealion 8 for families who need seven seats, higher towing and PHEV flexibility.

Drive-away pricing covers rego, CTP, stamp duty and delivery. Lightning Yellow stock only. Excludes government, fleet and rental buyers.

The Design LR gets 482km WLTP range, 174kW DC charging and a 67.1kWh battery. Both variants come with an 8-year battery warranty, 6-year vehicle warranty, 8 years capped servicing and 8 years roadside assist.

From 1 July 2026, default electricity plans fell in NSW (up to 5%), Victoria (up to 8%) and South East Queensland (7.2%), while South Australia, Tasmania and the ACT rose. Watch the fine print though: daily supply charges are rising sharply in some areas, with some increases above 70%, so low-usage households could still end up paying more overall.

The bigger news for EV owners: the federal Solar Sharer Offer starts today. Eligible households in NSW, SA and SE QLD with a smart meter can opt in for three free hours of electricity per day (11am to 2pm in NSW and QLD, 12pm to 3pm in SA), capped at 24kWh. You do not need rooftop solar to qualify, renters included.

For EV owners who can schedule daytime charging, this is a free window to fill the battery. If you charge overnight, a dedicated EV energy plan with a cheap overnight rate may still work out better depending on your usage pattern. Victoria is not included in the Solar Sharer Offer but gets its own Midday Power Saver plan from 1 October.

Two variants: Style ($35,990 drive-away, 56.2kWh LFP, 401km WLTP) and Design Long Range ($38,990 drive-away, 67.1kWh LFP, 482km WLTP, 174kW DC charging). Both are RWD with 160kW, 6.7 sec 0-100 and wireless CarPlay/Android Auto. The Design LR adds a panoramic roof, heated seats, 12-speaker audio and power-adjustable seats.

Worth noting: despite the hatchback price tag, the B05 is physically larger than the MG4, BYD Dolphin and GAC Aion UT it is competing with, at 4,430mm long with a 2,735mm wheelbase. Closer in size to a BYD Atto 3 small SUV. On range, the Design LR leads all three rivals at this price point.

Launch offer on Lightning Yellow stock only, available until 30 September.

The Tavascan now comes in three variants, arriving in Australia from late August 2026:

The new V base variant brings CUPRA's electric SUV into the $50k bracket for the first time, with features that mirrors what used to be an optional package on the Endurance (memory/heated seats, Sennheiser audio, 360-camera, 20-inch wheels). DC charging tops out at 105kW on the V versus 135kW on the other two.

Every variant gets a bigger 10.25-inch driver display (up from 5.3-inch) and physical steering wheel buttons replacing the old haptic touch controls, addressing a common complaint. The Endurance and VZ also gain launch control as standard for MY26.

Do you think the Tavascan has enough appeal now to be a key player in the heavily contested mid-size electric SUV segment?

Three variants now, arriving in Australia from late August 2026:

The new V base variant brings CUPRA's electric SUV into the $50k bracket for the first time, with features that mirrors what used to be an optional package on the Endurance (memory/heated seats, Sennheiser audio, 360-camera, 20-inch wheels). DC charging tops out at 105kW on the V versus 135kW on the other two.

Every variant gets a bigger 10.25-inch driver display (up from 5.3-inch) and physical steering wheel buttons replacing the old haptic touch controls, addressing a common complaint. The Endurance and VZ also gain launch control as standard for MY26.

Do you think the Tavascan has enough appeal now to be a key player in the heavily contested mid-size electric SUV segment?

No pricing, specs or firm on-sale dates confirmed for any of the three yet. Here's what is known:

• 9X: Six-seat flagship SUV, PHEV, expected over $100k, targeting the BMW X7 and Range Rover. Likely before end of 2026.
• 8X: One size down, also PHEV, expected $85k-$130k, targeting the BMW X5 and Audi Q7.
• 7GT: Fully electric performance wagon targeting the BMW 3 Series and Audi A5. Likely arriving very late 2026 or early 2027.

Zeekr execs have confirmed all three but haven't locked in launch order, only that the 8X and 9X will land roughly six months apart within an 18-month window. Because the 8X and 9X are PHEVs, neither qualifies for the FBT exemption on novated leases, unlike the fully electric 7X and 7GT.

This comes off a strong run locally: the 7X passed 5,000 deliveries in under 8 months and just won Drive's Car of the Year for Best Medium SUV Under $60k, while the updated Zeekr X has logged 1,200+ orders in six weeks since its price cut.

Both child restraint brands say their seats are not compatible with the Model Y L's second-row captain's chairs. The sloped headrest design can cause a single top tether strap to slip off, which could compromise the restraint in a crash. Infasecure states none of its tethered seats are compatible with that row at all. Britax is still investigating with Tesla.

Tesla rebuts these claims at the Brisbane Baby Expo, demonstrating that most seats are compatible using a split or V tether instead of a single strap, sometimes with an extension. A Maxi Cosi swivel seat, a Britax seat and Nuna seats were all shown fitting correctly with this method.

Third-row bench seats are unaffected by all three brands, and the issue doesn't apply to the standard five-seat Model Y. ANCAP's 2025 testing also flagged installation difficulty in the second row when awarding its five-star rating.

Kidsafe Queensland is now offering professional fittings and safety certificates for the Model Y L if you want independent verification for your specific seat.

The Model Y RWD is $58,900, the Sealion 7 Premium $54,990. Despite the Sealion 7 carrying a 22.5kWh bigger battery, it only nets 16km more WLTP range (482km vs 466km), because the Model Y is far more efficient (129Wh/km vs 171Wh/km).

The Model Y is 222kg lighter, quicker to 100km/h (5.9s vs 6.7s), has a much bigger frunk, and a slightly higher peak DC rate on paper (175kW vs 150kW). The Sealion 7 hits back with standard wireless CarPlay/Android Auto (the Model Y has neither), standard V2L at 6.6kW (the Model Y RWD has none), a longer vehicle warranty (6yr/150,000km vs 5yr/80,000km), and the cheaper price.

Sales-wise the Model Y still leads in 2026 (12,324 YTD vs 7,786), but the Sealion 7 is closing the gap fast since its February 2025 launch.

The Mona L03 is the second model in Xpeng's mass-market Mona series, following the M03 liftback that became Xpeng's best-seller with over 270,000 deliveries since launch. The L03 is a compact fastback SUV and the first Mona model offered with both BEV and EREV powertrains.

BEV: single 183kW motor, 56kWh or 69kWh LFP battery, 505 to 650km CLTC range. EREV: same motor plus a 70kW petrol engine, up to 257km electric-only range. Top speed 180km/h on both.

Pricing not locked in but expected it to land at 150,000 yuan (~$32,000 AUD).

No Australian launch confirmed. Xpeng is separately bringing the G7 SUV here in 2026 to rival the Model Y, and given the M03 was confirmed as a global model, there's a reasonable chance the L03 follows it overseas.

The Model Y L starts at $74,900, the Long Range AWD at $68,900. Both share the same 378kW dual-motor AWD powertrain, identical 250kW DC charging and identical 1,588kg towing capacity, so the price gap buys space and range, not speed.

For that $6,000: a third row taking seating to six, 95km more WLTP range (681km vs 586km) from a larger 86kWh usable battery, Vehicle-to-Load rated to 3.3kW (the first Tesla in Australia with V2L, the Long Range AWD has none), adaptive suspension, and a second-row entertainment touchscreen.

The Long Range AWD claws back ground on weight (16kg lighter), is marginally quicker to 100km/h, and has a bigger single cargo area when all seats are in use (822L vs 420L).

One software quirk right now: FSD v14 has rolled out to the regular Model Y but hasn't yet been activated on the Model Y L, pending extra validation for the longer-wheelbase platform.

OVO's The EV Plan has dropped its overnight rate from 6c/kWh to 4.5c/kWh, running midnight to 6am every day. That undercuts every other overnight plan Zecar tracks, including Powershop EV Night at 5c/kWh.

The trade-off: it's overnight only now, OVO no longer advertises a daytime free window on this plan. GloBird's Easy EV is still the main alternative offering both day and night windows, though its overnight rate sits 1.5c higher.

Needs a smart meter and a registered EV, no separate controlled load circuit required. Available in VIC, NSW, QLD and SA.

The Sealion 7 Premium costs $54,990, the EX5 Inspire $45,990. The price gap tracks the size gap: the Sealion 7 is 410kg heavier, 215mm longer and has a bigger 82.5kWh battery, giving it 32km more WLTP range (482km vs 450km) despite the extra weight. It also has a frunk, a bigger boot, rated towing capacity (1,400kg braked, which the EX5 doesn't list at all), and a stronger V2L output.

The EX5 Inspire claws back ground on weight and efficiency, being 410kg lighter with a tighter turning circle, plus it adds massaging seats and a 16-speaker system at this trim.

Neither is a clean win. EX5 Inspire if you want to spend less and don't need the extra size. Sealion 7 Premium if range, practicality and towing matter more than price.