EV Central

Chinese auto giant Chery says its newest Australian brand, Lepas, has completed an extensive local engineering and validation program as the countdown accelerates toward the launch of its first model, the Lepas L6, in November.

Toyota says electric utes and 4WDs are still years away from suiting mainstream, consumer-facing applications like touring and towing. The admission came from Toyota Australia’s engineering team, speaking at the recent HiLux BEV and LandCruiser 300 Performance Hybrid briefing.

The Volkswagen ID. Cross has been launched in Europe as the German car giant’s most affordable battery-powered SUV yet, and it’s already under consideration for a local launch. Developed alongside the Cupra Raval and Skoda Epiq, the new Volkswagen ID. Cross is the high-riding sibling to the VW ID. Polo and would rival the likes of the BYD Atto 2, Geely EX2, Leapmotor B10 and MG S5 if it lands in Australia. Closely based on the concept shown at last year’s Munich motor show, the production ID.

New data from a major UK warranty provider has dispelled yet more myths surrounding EV ownership, with owners reporting that the biggest reason for making a claim was electrical gremlins rather than failing batteries. Interestingly, according to Warranty Wise, the most common claims involved electrical sensors, with the average repair costing around £810 ($1550).

Toyota has unveiled an ambitious electrification blueprint designed to reclaim momentum in Australia, with a flood of new hybrids, plug-in hybrids, battery-electric vehicles and performance electrified models forming the centrepiece of its fightback against fast-rising rival BYD. After a sluggish first half of 2026 that saw Toyota come within just 243 sales of being overtaken by BYD for the monthly sales crown in June, the Japanese giant insists it is not losing customers to Chinese brands.

Toyota has taken its electric SUV and stretched it. Literally. The bZ4X Touring is 140mm longer than the regular bZ4X, bringing more space for passengers and a bigger boot. But let’s face it, Toyota hasn’t exactly set the EV world on fire when it comes to sales.

Alastair Doak is a veteran of the Australian automotive industry who retired as marketing director of Mazda Australia in December 2024. When he needed a new car last year he chose the BYD Sealion 7. Here, Alastair explains why he made that purchase and what he found over the next 12 months. It’s a revealing look inside EV ownership from a bona fide car expert.* We signed up for a BYD Sealion 7 in May 2025 when far fewer electric vehicle options were available.

Mercedes-AMG has recorded more than 1600 samples of a petrol-powered A 45 S hot hatch to give its new all-electric CLA 45 4MATIC+ the sound, vibrations and simulated gearshifts of a combustion-powered performance car. The unusual technology is part of AMG’s attempt to retain some of the character of its petrol models as it replaces the existing turbocharged four-cylinder CLA 45 with a new-generation battery-electric performance flagship.

Australia’s newest safety benchmark is electric, with the incoming BMW iX3 and Zeekr 7GT becoming the first vehicles to achieve five-star crash safety ratings under the tougher new 2026 Euro NCAP and ANCAP testing protocols. The all-electric duo are the first production cars to clear the world’s most demanding independent safety regime, with the BMW iX3 about to arrive in Australian showrooms and the Zeekr 7GT due to follow later this year.

The Geely Galaxy TT has arrived as a sleek, fast alternative to the fast-selling Xiaomi SU7 that could also provide a bargain-priced rival to the Porsche Taycan if it follows the inbound Galaxy Cruiser to Australia. Scheduled for launch as soon as next month in China, the new Geely Galaxy TT has courted controversy by mimicking the Xiaomi SU7’s styling in a bid to attract a more youthful audience. It’s no wonder.