Sodium-Ion Battery Breakthrough Delivers 11-Minute Full Charge and Extreme Safety as Zeekr 8X PHEV Locked In for Australia, Mazda Defends China-Built CX-6e, BMW i4 Production Ends for Neue Klasse i3 with 900km Range and Longest PHEV Electric Ranges Ranked

Send us Fan MailSodium-ion cells with 170 Wh/kg density, 11-minute full charge at 4C rates, 200 per cent overcharge tolerance without fire or explosion and 92 per cent capacity retention at minus 20 degrees Celsius emerge as a practical near-term breakthrough potentially reaching Australian models like the Hyundai Elexio via Beijing Hyundai joint venture; Mazda CX-6e medium electric SUV confirmed for 2026 with full China-Changan engineering oversight, 4850 mm length, 78 kWh LFP battery, 190 kW rear-drive power and up to 560 km WLTP range; Zeekr 8X PHEV large luxury SUV locked for 2027 Australia arrival featuring 5100 mm length, 3069 mm wheelbase, 55.1 or 70 kWh battery options for 256-328 km CLTC electric range and up to 1416 km combined, 2.0-litre turbo petrol at 205 kW plus electric motors to 660 kW dual or 1030 kW tri-motor outputs with 9-minute 20-80 per cent charging on 900-volt architecture; Zeekr 9X flagship three-row PHEV and 7GT performance electric wagon also in 2027 pipeline; BMW i4 production phases out after 2026 model year as the Neue Klasse i3 sedan arrives early 2027 with headline 900 km WLTP range;full ranked list of Australia’s longest electric-range PHEVs including GWM Haval H6 GT at 180 km NEDC. Every verified specification, dimension, power figure, torque output, range claim, battery detail, pricing tier, feature list, executive quote.Australian compliance and tuning note, rival comparison and cross-checked fact from all sources – full BEV, PHEV and EREV focus only.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