On a recent Saturday, I attended the Everything Electric car and electrification show in Sydney. I left the event feeling optimistic about the future of electric vehicles. The show highlighted some attractive deals and innovative models that are poised to make a significant impact.
One of the most appealing options was the GWM Ora, a compact and stylish town car. Its size is comparable to a VW Beetle or a Mini, and with a price tag of just $33,000, it presents a great value proposition for a second car. However, the vehicle that truly captured my attention was the Skyworth BE11. This new brand is scheduled to arrive in showrooms later this year. It’s a medium-sized SUV with an 86 kWh battery, offered at a drive-away price of $49,000. That’s a competitive price for a battery of that size, although the reasons for the low cost remain to be fully evaluated.
In the luxury people mover category, the Zeekr 009 impressed with its value. Its interior features a large screen in the back, which some may see as an improvement over the Xpeng G9. However, in an age where many children are engrossed with their own devices, it raises the question of how much they will appreciate such a feature.
If I were seeking a replacement for my Hyundai Ioniq 5, possible contenders included the Zeekr 7xm, the Xpeng G6, and the Polestar 3. The Xpeng G6, in particular, has the potential to outperform the Tesla Model Y, while also coming in with a lower starting price. The Polestar 3, meanwhile, appealed to me due to its premium interior. Another car likely to do well is the new Kia EV3, which is well-designed and appears to be well-suited to the Australian market. Expanding on the success of the EV5 – known for its great value – and EV6, the EV3 features several improvements over the EV5 to enhance the driver experience.
I also saw some impressive applications of electrification beyond passenger vehicles. There was a Cement Australia premix truck, which had been converted to electric power. These types of trucks seem very well-suited to electric propulsion. The truck used a swappable battery system, which I witnessed being quickly exchanged with a forklift during a demonstration. Also, several attractive electric vans and other equipment were on display.
The general impression was that the surge of Chinese-made electric vehicles hasn’t fully arrived yet. Many left-hand-drive models were showcased, but they weren’t necessarily slated for an immediate launch in Australia. While 2025 may not be the year of mass EV adoption, the underlying momentum is definitely building.
Xpeng G6
