A new small electric SUV from MG, called the 4X, featuring the company’s “liquid-solid state battery”, was teased last month by the brand in China.

This model has now been officially launched in the Chinese market, with prices starting at the equivalent  of $A20,500. 

On MG’s parent company’s Weibo page, it said: “The MG 4X is officially launched, with a limited-time subsidised price. Unlock quality travel for the whole family!”.

The company has previously shared multiple images of the SUV, revealing details of the car that could very well head to international markets in the near future.

The outside of the new car shares the design language with the company’s MG4 Urban hatch and MG S5 electric SUV, both of which are available in Australia.

With additional ride height and space in this segment, this could be quite popular with families wanting to go electric for the first time.

The interior also shares a layout with the MG S5, which, of course, was carried over to the MG4 Urban, which launched locally in April 2026.

There is a large screen in the centre, as well as physical buttons for controls underneath the screen. However, the number of physical buttons has been reduced compared to earlier MG electric models, giving the interior a minimal look and ease of use when on the go.

There is also a 10.25-inch screen behind the steering wheel showcasing critical driving information.

The vehicle is longer than the MG4 Urban, coming in at 4.5 metres in length, and g- iven the pricing in China – it is a very compelling feature-packed EV.

This model also comes with a new battery pack, which the company calls a “liquid-solid state battery”, with a capacity of 54 kWh and is expected to deliver up to 510 km of CLTC range, which is likely to be around 400 km on the WLTP cycle.

A larger CATL-supplied battery pack is also available, which bumps the capacity to 64 kWh, adding around 100 km to the car’s range.

The MG 4X comes with a single rear-mounted motor delivering up to 125 kW of power, or a larger 150 kW motor in the top-spec variant. This, of course, is different from the Urban EV hatch, which has a front-wheel drive setup.

The new setup should help this small SUV reach 100 km/h from 0 in around 8 seconds, making it slightly slower than the currently available rear-drive MG4 electric hatchback.

This new MG is now available for sale in China, with exports likely to begin late in 2026. If the price falls below $35,000 in Australia, it could be quite a seller, competing with models such as the BYD Atto 2 or the upcoming GWM Ora 5 and Leapmotor B10.

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The race to dominate driverless transportation took a leap forward today – Alphabet’s self-driving division, Waymo, is officially introducing its first custom-built EV, the Ojai. Select passengers in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Phoenix can now hail rides in this newly designed model. The company is even offering initial trips completely free of charge. This launch is a permanent shift away from retrofitting consumer electric cars, taking the industry toward purpose-built ride-hailing designs.

Waymo operates at a volume that makes other autonomous vehicle programs look like experimental projects. The company has completed over 20 million fully driverless trips across 11 cities. Its active fleet includes more than 3,000 electric cars, which collectively deliver around 500,000 paid rides every single week. The total service territory now spans more than 3,626 square kilometers, following a £12 billion investment round completed earlier this year, and pushing the firm’s market valuation to £92 billion.

Chinese automotive giant Geely manufactures the foundational platform for the Ojai through its premium EV brand, Zeekr. Workers assemble the base vehicle bodies in China before shipping them to a specialized Waymo facility in Mesa, Arizona. There, technicians outfit the vehicles with proprietary autonomous hardware. The Ojai has a single 200 kW (268 horsepower) electric motor powering the rear wheels. A 93 kWh lithium-ion battery pack provides the energy, using an advanced 800V electrical architecture for fast charging.

Designing a robotaxi from scratch allows for radical interior optimization. Traditional consumer electric cars prioritize the driver, but the Ojai focuses entirely on passengers. The cabin removes the traditional B-pillar structural support, using dual sliding doors to open up a spacious interior. Passengers step into a flat-floor cabin with an elevated ceiling and maximized legroom. The rear passenger section has three adaptive touchscreen displays for media and climate controls, alongside accessible charging ports and cup holders. The layout fits up to four passengers, with one sitting upfront next to the empty space where a steering wheel used to be.

The focus on accessibility is clearly visible in the new design. Waymo engineered a low step-in height to ensure easier entry and exit for all passengers, and the interior comes with grab bars and braille markings to assist passengers with visual or physical impairments. Every Ojai uses highly durable materials that are very easy to sanitize. These seemingly small changes drastically reduce maintenance turnaround times – a vital metric when managing thousands of electric cars at a global scale.

The biggest technical story belongs to the sixth-generation Waymo Driver software and hardware package. Engineers managed to slash the vehicle’s total sensor count by 42% compared to the older fifth-generation Jaguar I-PACE fleet. The Ojai uses 13 cameras instead of 29, four LiDAR units instead of five, and six radar units. To offset the fewer sensors, Waymo upgraded the individual component quality. The camera array utilizes a new 17-megapixel imager that delivers sharp, high-resolution visuals at night and targets objects up to 500 meters away in complete darkness.

The hardware reduction directly improves the financial reality of autonomous EVs. Waymo is looking at a manufacturing cost of under £15,000 for the sixth-generation driver hardware package, placing the company within striking distance of sustainable per-ride profitability. The updated sensor suite can reliably see through heavy rain and snow, unlocking winter testing and expansion into colder regions. Waymo has already started laying operational groundwork in Chicago, and the company plans to introduce its automated electric cars to international markets like London and Tokyo.

The aggressive rollout widens the gap between Waymo and its domestic competition. Tesla tests only about 25 unsupervised robotaxis across three cities in Texas, though the company claims its upcoming two-seat Cybercab will offer better energy efficiency due to a smaller footprint than Ojai. The latter carries more occupants, altering the overall efficiency equation. Chinese competitors like Baidu operate massive fleets domestically, but Waymo has no equal rival in the United States market.

The road to complete autonomy still throws up occasional roadblocks. Waymo temporarily paused services across multiple markets when its autonomous software struggled to detect deeply flooded roadways. These real-world edge cases require constant tracking and software updates; nevertheless – the rollout is moving quickly. Car spotters photographed multiple Ojai vehicles using public EVgo fast-charging stations in Sacramento, proving that the company is actively testing its new fleet on public roads. Waymo will eventually produce tens of thousands of these units annually, and plans to expand the autonomous hardware to the Hyundai IONIQ 5 platform.

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South Korea car maker Hyundai has officially launched and priced its latest performance EV – the Ioniq 6 N – which it says is first ever car from the brand, electric or fossil, that has been equipped with “full wings” to keep it stable on and off the track.

The Ioniq 6 N is now able to be ordered at a single variant price of $115,000 before on roads, with some changes depending on the chosen colour, and a free sunroof “delete”, which might be advisable if the owner thinks they will want to spend a lot of time wearing a helmet on the track.

The N series is a critical part of Hyundai’s plans to help its loyal customers – and others – make the transition from petrol and diesel options to full electric drivetrains. Now is the right time: the company says one in five buying queries in Australia have been focused on its electric lineup, particularly since Middle East war caused fuel prices to surge.

The Ioniq 6 electric sedan distinguished itself at its launch a few years ago by NOT looking like a Hyundai, and featured interesting lines that might not have been out of place in late 20th century Italian sports cars.

It quickly found a niche and has sold more than 1,200 units in Australia to date. Now the Ioniq 6 has been upgraded as an “ultra-high performance” vehicle, complete with a full “swan-neck rear wing” – Hyundai says it is the first of its cars to have one – and even elective engine noises.

“The Ioniq 6 N is the latest expression of Hyundai’s commitment to raising the bar in high performance EVs,” said Hyundai Australia’s chief operating officer Gavin Donaldson.

He says it brings together “exhilarating agility, driver engagement and everyday practicality in a compelling sports sedan.”

The importance of the performance model is reflected in its experience with the highly regarded Ioniq 5, its electric SUV, which sold 3,375 units from 2022 to 2026.

Since the launch of its own N version in 2024, nearly one in five sales have been for the performance version: The standard Ioniq 5 has sold 1,364 units, with the Ioniq 5 N attracting 308 buyers.

Hyundai says the N series has a “three pillar” philosophy that it divides into Corner Rascal, Racetrack Capability and Everyday Sportswear. It has required significant upgrades on the standard Ioniq 6 offering.

These include wide fenders and other aerodynamic additions that deliver a relatively low 0.274 co-efficient of drag. Body rigidity is optimised through additional weld points, increased application of structural adhesives, and additional reinforcements.

It also features an advanced braking system, intelligent controls to support both daily driving and track  use, while maximising energy recovery.

Inside the cabin are N lightweight sports seats, an exclusive N Pasubio steering wheel featuring customisable N1/N2 buttons, N-exclusive metal pedals, and an N knee support pad.

The Ioniq 6 produces 478kW and 770Nm, accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.2 seconds (using N Launch Control). It features an 84 kWh battery that delivers WLTP range of 487 km.

BYD, the world’s fastest-growing car company, is continuing to bring new models to market in multiple new segments, with the latest being an affordable model for the ridesharing industry under its recently introduced Linghui brand.

The new e7 sedan comes with multiple new editions, including the company’s 5-minute Flash Charging tech, a new Blade Battery, and all for under $A22,600.

The e7 lineup will actually start at under $A20,000 but has its Flash Charging-enabled models starting for a bit more, saving ridesharing drivers a significant amount of time when stopping to charge.

As mentioned, it would be one of the most affordable models from the company with capabilities of charging from 10-70% in just 5 minutes using the company’s latest Flash Charging technology, unveiled last month.

The new charging tech is made possible by Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) battery packs, which retain the safety credentials of BYD’s Blade Battery tech while now supporting charging speeds of up to 1,500 kW at the company’s Flash Charging sites.

Speaking of the deployment, BYD is currently deploying these sites at a rapid pace. Latest data shared by the company shows over 5,000 active charging stations in hundreds of cities across China, with a target to reach 20,000 commissioned charging bays by the end of the year.

According to reports from local media, the new e7 has an introductory incentive of 1-year free Flash Charging, helping fleet and ridesharing companies try out the tech in the first 12 months.

Getting back to the specs of the model, it comes in at a length of 4,780 mm, which is slightly smaller than the Seal sedan sold in Australia. 

The new car features the same large 15.6-inch infotainment screen behind the steering wheel as many BYD owners have today. 

A 50 W wireless phone charger is also seen in the centre console, and, like many of BYD’s latest cars, the inside now features the gear shifter relocated to the steering wheel.

Powering the new sedan are two rear-mounted motor options delivering 100 kW and 130 kW, respectively.

The single-motor powertrain is powered by BYD’s second-generation blade batteries, which come in capacities of 51.3 kWh and larger 61.4 kWh packs that feed the motor.

Range-wise, the e7 EV will have an NEDC range of 450-550 km, likely over 380-480 km on the WLTP test cycle.

Having experienced the previous generation of the BYD e7 as a Didi on a recent trip to China, it really is a Toyota Corolla rival, but with a much more refined ride, space, and, of course, an EV drivetrain.

We look forward to seeing the Linghui e7 model in person in China in the coming months, as it’s one of the several vehicles from BYD that would change the rideshare industry in China and has implications across the globe to help reduce transport emissions while offering drivers the convenience of Flash Charging.

BYD, the world’s fastest-growing car company, is continuing an onslaught of new model launches new, with the latest being a mid-sized family SUV boasting the company’s 5-minute Flash Charging tech, a new Blade Battery, and more power. 

This model will be called the Song Ultra EV in China, with prices starting at the equivalent of under $A32,000.

It will be able to charge from 10-70% in just 5 minutes using the company’s latest Flash Charging technology, unveiled earlier this month.

That’s made possible by the new Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) battery packs, which will retain the safety credentials of BYD’s Blade Battery tech while now incorporating charging speeds of up to 1,500 kW at the company’s Flash Charging sites, which are being deployed at a rapid pace.

BYD really wants its customers to use this Flash Charging tech in cars like this and is offering 1 year of free Flash Charging to initial customers with all compatible models.

 With the Song Ultra EV, customer that pre-order the car can get an additional 6 months of free Flash Charging, bringing the total free period to 18 months.

This model comes in at a length of 4,850 mm, which is slightly larger than the Sealion 7 SUV, which has seen thousands of sales in Australia and was the second-best-selling EV in the country. 

The new car features the same large 15.6-inch infotainment screen behind the steering wheel as many BYD owners have today. 

A 50 W wireless phone charger is also seen in the centre console, and, like many of BYD’s latest cars, the inside now features the gear shifter relocated to the steering wheel.

Powering the new compact SUV is a single rear-mounted motor delivering 270 kW, which will deliver a top-speed of up to 210 km/h.

The single-motor powertrain is powered by BYD’s second-generation blade batteries, which come in capacities of 68.4 kWh and larger 82.7 kWh packs that feed the motor.

Range-wise, the Song Ultra EV will have an NEDC range of 605-710 km, likely over 500-580 km on the WLTP test cycle.

The latest-generation platform also allows for a 150 L frunk and a 730 L boot with seats up. This can be expanded to 1,659 litres with rear seats down.

There is also a fridge included with this SUV, which can also be used to keep things warm with a temperature setting of up to 50 C available.

Given the amount of tech featured in the SUV, which can also be equipped with LiDAR for an assisted driving system functionality. That would come from the DiPilot 300 ADAS system, which is powered by 27 sensors.

We look forward to seeing this model in person in China in the coming months, with some of this tech likely to be available in our local market in the future.

Given that this model’s starting price is lower than many SUVs available in the Chinese market and comes equipped with 18 months of free Flash Charging, which is quicker than filling up at a servo, it’s going to be quite a popular model that ICE drivers need to pay attention to.

In a significant move for apartment dwellers looking to make the switch to electric transport, the ACT branch of the Australian Electric Vehicle Association (AEVA) has launched a public register of EV-friendly strata sites across Canberra. The initiative aims to provide transparency for residents who have historically faced hurdles when trying to charge at home.

The register, released on Thursday, lists strata complexes that allow some form of on-site EV charging, a feature that is increasingly becoming a deal-maker (or breaker) for buyers and renters considering the switch to electric.

“We have created a publicly available register of EV-friendly strata sites that are attracting tenants and new owners by enabling EV charging on-site,” AEVA spokesperson Dr Peter Campbell said in a statement.

The register currently includes 22 strata complexes across Canberra, with different approaches to providing charging access.

Some buildings allow individual charging outlets to be wired back to the electricity meters of individual apartments. Others provide shared charging bays, often managed by third-party operators who bill residents directly and reimburse the body corporate for electricity used.

“As a low-cost solution, shared charging points let residents charge once or twice a week without giving up the convenience of their own parking space,” Dr Campbell said.

The register has been compiled using information from AEVA members, owners corporations, strata managers and public sources such as PlugShare.

AEVA is inviting additional buildings to submit their details for inclusion and advises users to confirm arrangements directly with the relevant owners corporation, as settings may change over time

Beyond convenience, the move is increasingly seen as an essential step for property value and tenant retention. Julie Campbell, Chair of the “Evoque” Owners Corporation which installed two stations two years ago, noted that modernising facilities makes buildings more attractive to future buyers.

Robin Eckermann, Chair of the OCN (ACT) Environmental Sustainability Working Group, echoed this sentiment, stating that strata owners deserve the same convenience as those in detached homes. He warned that complexes failing to facilitate charging “will fall behind in their appeal to purchasers and renters”.

Some states have begun clarifying strata rules to make installations easier, but progress is uneven. Canberra, which already has one of the highest rates of EV ownership in Australia, may become an early test case for how strata communities respond as EV uptake accelerates.

You can view the current list of EV-friendly complexes at the AEVA website.