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, Ford

Send us Fan MailEpisode 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.Disclaimer:All specifications, pricing, and information discussed in this episode were correct at the time of recording. The electric vehicle market moves quickly, so we recommend you always check the latest details directly with manufacturers, dealers, or official sources.This podcast provides general news and information only, based on publicly available sources and Australian Consumer Law guidelines. It is not legal, financial, or professional advice. For advice specific to your situation, please contact the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) or seek independent professional guidance.Plugged in Australia and its hosts are not responsible for any decisions, misunderstandings, or purchases made based on the content of this show.Sourcing & TransparencyAt Plugged in Australia, all our stories are sourced from publicly available news articles and reports. We do not receive any advance information or briefings from brands or manufacturers.Any analysis or opinions we share are based solely on this public information.Our main sources include (though we also use many others, and they vary by episode):https://www.carsales.com.au/https://www.carexpert.com.au/https://thedriven.io/https://www.carsguide.com.auhttps://autotalk.com.auhttps://www.carsguide.com.auhttps://evcentral.com.auhttps://www.drive.com.au