Fresh EV cascade: the new electric vehicle arrivals coming in 2026
At a glance
- Seven-seat BYD Sealion 8 and Skoda Kodiaq PHEVs confirmed
- Hyundai flags Elexio EV SUV in early 2026, Honda to intro tiny Super-ONE EV
- Zeekr 7GT shows in Sydney, RHD still unconfirmed, GAC sets local spec for Aion V
The gradual drip-feed of EVs into Australia is starting to look more like a cascade, as carmakers announce several new models due in 2026 within the space of a few days.
From legacy carmakers like Hyundai, Honda and Škoda, to EV juggernaut BYD and newcomer GAC, specs for no less than six new battery electric and plug-in hybrid options are locked in as timelines sharpen. Across family haulers, sleek fastbacks and value-focused mid-sizers, the market is getting broader, though details like final pricing and WLTP driving range conversions remain unconfirmed.
BYD Sealion 8: three rows, Aussie-tuned ride, strong PHEV running from DM platform
BYD is expanding into the seven-seat arena with the Sealion 8, a plug-in hybrid that pairs everyday electric driving with a petrol back-up for the long hauls.
A trio of variants is listed for Australia: Dynamic FWD, Dynamic AWD and Premium AWD; with the latter two using the DM-p layout with e-motors front and rear and DiSus-C adaptive damping. Headline figures include system outputs up to 359 kW and 675 Nm, and a 0 to 100 km/h claim of 4.9 seconds on AWD grades.
Meanwhile, the FWD model outputs 205kW/315Nm, by no means shabby numbers that will catch attention in any family SUV.
Inside, the spec sheet reads like a wish list, a 15.6-inch centre screen, a 10.25-inch driver display and a 21-speaker audio system, plus massage seats. BYD says local suspension tuning has been carried out for Australian roads – a sensible move in this class. Orders open in December 2025, with pricing to be announced closer to launch.
A 2950mm wheelbase sits within a 5040mm overall length, with the Sealion 8’s boot space able to expand from 270 litres to 960 litres with the back row down. Up to 1960 litres of cargo space is available with both rearward rows down.
Battery capacities are 19kWh in the Dynamic FWD and 35.6kWh in the AWD grades, plus a 60-litre tank to fuel the combustion engine system. Electric-only figures are quoted at 103 km for FWD and 152 km for AWD, however, they have been calculated on the NEDC cycle which can inflate range by around 30 per cent compared to what is achieved in real-world driving.
Feature details are thin on the ground, but comfort, connectivity and entertainment are covered by massage seats in both rows, a 50-watt wireless charging pad, and a 21-speaker surround sound system. Safety kit hits the key boxes including nine airbags and a 360-degree surround-view camera, backed by a " full array of intelligent driver assistance technologies”, with specifics yet to be announced.
Hyundai Elexio: long-range family EV, local arrival from early 2026
Hyundai’s Elexio lands as a clean-sheet, E-GMP-based SUV that targets families with space, charging speed and a tech-forward cabin. The South Korean carmaker says it will land locally in early 2026 with an 88.1kWh battery that charges from 30 to 80 per cent in about 27 minutes. A 722 km driving range figure, calculated via China’s CLTC standard, should translate to an WLTP range in the circa-550-kilometre bracket.
Luggage space is listed at 506L, expandable up to 1540L, with 46 stowage areas dotted through the cabin. Audio consists of a Dolby Atmos system with eight BOSE speakers, while a 27-inch 4K widescreen, running on Qualcomm’s nimble Snapdragon 8295, takes the lion’s share of dashboard space.
Inside, the spec sheet reads family-first. Active comfort features ranging from “Family Brake Mode” to side bolsters that hug on demand. Safety kit stretches to nine airbags and extensive high-strength steel, with emergency door access hardware called out in the release.
While some of the language and figures are tailored to the Chinese launch, the Elexio’s hardware foundation is familiar and proven, which bodes well for Australian tuning. Details to watch for include official WLTP range figures, power and torque, pricing, and seeing how the ride tuning copes with Australian roads.
GAC Aion V: quick DC top-ups and a clever summer party trick
After confirming it intends to enter the Australian market in November with models across three drivetrains, GAC has set out Australian specifications for its all-electric Aion V. The five-seat medium SUV will be offered in two variants, both leaning on 400-volt architecture, an LFP (lithium-ion phosphate) battery pack, and a decent WLTP range claim.
Details include a battery with a capacity of 75.26kWh, a single electric motor sending 150kW and 210Nm to the front axle, and a WLTP driving range of 510 km. Charging rates include 11 kW AC for the home or shopping centre, and up to 180kW DC for public fast chargers.
The company quotes an enviable 30 to 80 per cent in 16 minutes, or 10 to 80 per cent in 24 minutes. A heat pump is standard across the range, designed to improve energy consumption in cooler regions.
The spec sheet reveals a 14.6-inch centre display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, driver monitoring, DAB, an eight-point massage function on Luxury grade, and a panoramic sunroof. Boot capacity ranges from 427 litres to 978 litres with the seats down, and there’s a smart sensor tailgate that opens when a key is detected behind the vehicle for three seconds. The ability to charge your laptop or other device is also on-tap, thanks to V2L (vehicle-to-load) functionality.
One detail likely to get attention over summer is the 6.6-litre armrest fridge on the Luxury trim, which can chill to –15°C or heat to 50°C using just 0.5 kWh of electricity over 24 hours according to GAC.
GAC’s “Magazine Battery 2.0” also claims added safety via flame-retardant electrolytes, enhanced liquid cooling and integrated fire management hardware. Pricing and warranty will be announced with market launch later in November.
Honda Super-ONE: tiny footprint, urban focus, Aussie testing locked in
Perhaps the biggest surprise announcement is that Honda has confirmed the tiny Super-ONE “kei car” EV for Australia in the second half of 2026, positioning it as a playful, compact option for dense inner-city environments.
Unveiled at the 2025 Japan Mobility Show, Honda leans into the drive experience, putting the spotlight on “a Boost Mode” that sharpens response and pipes a synthesised engine note to match the sensation of stepped acceleration.
The tone is unmistakably urban, with development drawing on Japenese kei-car concepts and a focus on light, direct steering.
Dimensionally, the Super-ONE is less than 3.6 metres in length, and less than 1.6 metres wide, so it should slot into tight parking bays and thread through narrow streets with ease.
While little is known in regard to actual specs and features, Honda makes a big deal out of promising a local testing program to ensure ride and handling suits Australian roads.
The brand also flags broad charging compatibility as part of the program, so expect the ability to charge at home, at kerbside AC and at public DC charging.
With detailed specifications, battery size and WLTP driving range yet to come, for now the brief is clear: a tiny footprint, a bit of Honda fun, and a commitment to local tuning before keys change hands.
Škoda Kodiaq Select PHEV: long WLTP EV running, family tech and early 2026 timing
Škoda is expanding its electrified range, adding a plug-in hybrid option to its new-generation Kodiaq range in early 2026, positioning the Select PHEV between the Sportline and the RS with a comfort-leaning brief.
Power comes from a 1.5 TSI petrol paired with an 85kW electric motor for a system output of 150KW and 350 Nm. The company quotes 0 to 100 kilometres per hour in 8.4 seconds.
A key figure for family buyers, electric-only driving range (via a not-yet specified battery capacity) is claimed at up to 112 kilometres on the WLTP cycle, also backed by 11kW AC and 50kW DC charging. Škoda lists a frugal combined fuel use of 1.85L/100km (based on ADR 81/02 lab testing).
The Select PHEV carries a five-seat layout with a generous 745 litre boot. Inside, it mirrors the strong equipment baseline of the Select grade, 19-inch alloys, keyless access, heated and power-folding mirrors, a power driver’s seat, heated fronts, tri-zone climate control and a 13-inch infotainment system with DAB+ and navigation.
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, joined by twin wireless phone chargers with active ventilation and five USB-C ports – including one on the rear-view mirror. On the driver-assist side, adaptive cruise control comes fitted with travel and traffic jam assist, side and lane assists with adaptive lane guidance, turn and front assist, emergency assist, traffic sign recognition and nine airbags are included as standard.
A new Select with Signature Package will also be on offer, adding massage seats, surround view, Matrix LED headlights, an illuminated grille, head-up display and more.
Škoda says the Kodiaq Select PHEV will reach showrooms in the first quarter of 2026, joining the broader updated Kodiaq range already on sale. For families seeking long electric running without stepping out of the large-SUV class, it might shape up as a tidy fit.
Zeekr 7GT: show-floor star with serious pace, RHD still under evaluation
Zeekr used the Sydney International EV Show to pull the covers off a left-hand drive version of its 7GT, a low-slung shooting brake with serious numbers. While not yet confirmed for Australia, Zeekr says the 7GT is being evaluated for the local market. If it gets the nod from HQ, it would join the X electric compact SUV and 7X medium electric SUV, and the 009 people mover.
The brand cites dual-motor traction and sub-three-second 0 to 100 km/h performance, while the long-range rear-drive version on display pairs a 100kWh battery with an 825 km CLTC figure (notionally 630km WLTP). The car features the company’s 800-volt “Golden Battery” architecture with very short 10 to 80 per cent charge claims, though real-world Australian times will hinge on charger power levels and thermal strategy.
Design talk centres on a very slippery body, with a quoted 0.198 drag coefficient, and a premium cabin aligned with Zeekr’s Sweden-based design studio.
The near-term takeaway is simple: it’s one to watch if right-hand drive is approved. Until then, the 7GT serves as a marker of where high-performance BEVs are heading, big batteries, fast charging, and aero that pays dividends at highway speeds.
The bottom line
Australia’s EV landscape is widening, from family-friendly plug-in hybrids with genuine electric range to dedicated BEVs spanning value to premium, and even a cute kei city car.
Some figures are early and based on non-WLTP test cycles, some details like pricing still need to fleshed out, but the trajectory is clear: yet more choice is imminent across a compelling range of vehicles.
