Plugged in Australia

Jamie

Plugged In Australia is your essential podcast for the latest electric vehicle news tailored to Aussie drivers. We break down fresh updates on sales trends, policy changes like road-user charges and tax exemptions, and infrastructure developments—from charging networks in Sydney to regional rollouts. Get quick insights on new models hitting the market, like affordable BYD imports and Tesla’s latest, plus analysis on how global shifts affect Oz. Whether you’re tracking EV adoption rates or debunking myths, tune in weekly for concise, no-fluff coverage to keep you informed on the road to a greener future. Subscribe now and plug into the conversation

  1. 5 DAYS AGO

    Chery Diesel PHEV Ute Confirmed Late 2026, Drive Awards: Model Y, Polestar 4 & Dolphin Win, Tesla Model Y L Six-Seater + Grok AI, Hyundai Elexio Base, Geely EX5 Bigger Battery, Donut Lab Solid-State Tests, Lexus IS EV Plans, Lamborghini Hybrid Shift, Fo

    Episode 22 for February 25th, 2026 delivers a deep, honest, information-packed look at the latest developments shaping Australia’s EV, PHEV and electrified-ute market.  We cover Chery’s world-first diesel plug-in hybrid dual-cab ute (KP31) heading to Australia in late 2026 with 3500kg towing and 1000kg payload targets aimed squarely at tradies and families, the Drive Car of the Year 2026 category wins where Tesla Model Y takes Best EV Under $60k, Polestar 4 wins Best EV Under $90k and BYD Dolphin claims Best Urban Car Under $30k, a major European study showing PHEVs use three times more fuel than advertised in real-world driving, Donut Lab’s independent VTT test results confirming 0-80% in 4.5 minutes on its production-ready solid-state battery.  Tesla’s Model Y L six-seater gaining Australian approval plus the start of Grok AI assistant rollout here, Hyundai confirming the base Elexio variant at $58,990 plus on-roads and why the brand believes buyers will happily pay more for its new rival to the BYD Sealion 7 and Geely EX5, Geely EX5 with larger battery approved for sale, Lexus planning an electric IS sedan revival for 2027, Lamborghini shelving full-EV supercar plans to focus on long-term hybrids, Ford teasing a radical ~$40k mid-size electric ute for 2027 designed to smash the BYD Shark 6 and Toyota HiLux EV on range and efficiency, and Hyundai unsure about bringing Tucson and Santa Fe PHEVs to Australia due to price premium.  All tied directly to what it means for Australian buyers, running costs, NVES compliance, family practicality and the real pace of the transition.

    31 min
  2. 22 FEB

    JAC Hunter PHEV Tested at Lang Lang, BYD/Denza 1MW Megawatt Charging Confirmed for Australia, BMW Electric M Gets Real Emotion & Customer Choice, Mercedes 30 New Models

    Episode 21 for February 23, 2026 takes a deep, honest dive into the latest developments shaping Australia’s EV and PHEV market.  We cover the JAC Hunter PHEV completing initial real-world testing at the former Holden Lang Lang proving ground ahead of its mid-2026 launch as a strong rival to the BYD Shark 6, BYD and Denza preparing to bring game-changing 1MW megawatt charging technology to Australia within 12-18 months that can add hundreds of kilometres in minutes.  BMW’s plans for emotional electric M cars with simulated gearshifts and sampled engine sounds while still letting customers choose between EV and combustion M models, Mercedes-Benz’s massive 30-new-model onslaught including multiple EVs and PHEVs heading our way, the global auto industry writing off around $70 billion on EV strategy resets, GWM’s free servicing offer to new PHEV buyers.  China’s new mandate for physical buttons in all cars and the direct safety and usability benefits for Australian buyers of Chinese-built EVs, BYD Australia’s local boss explaining why advanced battery technology is the real key to winning more Aussie buyers, the new wave of affordable sedans and hatches reviving the small-car segment with strong EV and PHEV options, and the powerful lessons from Norway – the first country to effectively phase out new petrol and diesel sales – where EVs now make up 96 per cent of the market without wrecking the economy.

    25 min
  3. 18 FEB

    Mazda 6e $49,990 Undercuts Model 3, Leapmotor B10 5-Star ANCAP, Nio Swap Record, BMW iX3 Preview, Toyota Yaris EV Confirmed, Skoda Gaming Boost

    Episode 19 for February 18, 2026 delivers the deepest dive yet into Australia’s EV market momentum.  We break down Nio’s record-breaking battery-swap scale and what it means for the 2026 Firefly launch here, Mazda’s aggressively priced 6e sedan going head-to-head with Model 3 and Seal on range, price and features, Leapmotor’s B10 five-star safety win plus confirmed cheaper variants and the smaller B03X in evaluation, the first right-hand-drive BMW iX3 Neue Klasse preview landing for local familiarisation.  Toyota’s multi-powertrain next-gen Yaris including full EV, the Gumtree survey showing hybrids now considered by over 50% of buyers, Tesla’s CarPlay rollout delayed by iOS 26 adoption, why fleets delaying for “better batteries” risk higher long-term costs per AFMA insights, car makers quietly lobbying to keep the NVES dumping loophole open, Skoda’s new in-car gaming, video and native Spotify upgrades for its EVs, BYD’s execution speed giving it an edge in a crowded market, the Holden-era mindset that dismissed Chinese cars and how EVs flipped it.  Horizon Minerals’ $175m raise to repurpose the Black Swan nickel plant in WA’s critical-minerals heartland, and the latest Endgame Analytics implications for decarbonising transport. All tied directly to what it means for Australian drivers, fleets and the 2025–2030 NVES targets.

    1 hr

About

Plugged In Australia is your essential podcast for the latest electric vehicle news tailored to Aussie drivers. We break down fresh updates on sales trends, policy changes like road-user charges and tax exemptions, and infrastructure developments—from charging networks in Sydney to regional rollouts. Get quick insights on new models hitting the market, like affordable BYD imports and Tesla’s latest, plus analysis on how global shifts affect Oz. Whether you’re tracking EV adoption rates or debunking myths, tune in weekly for concise, no-fluff coverage to keep you informed on the road to a greener future. Subscribe now and plug into the conversation