7 stories tagged australia on EV Digest.
Australia marked a significant milestone in August, with electric vehicles (EVs) collectively outselling gasoline-powered cars for the first time ever. Tesla played a pivotal role in this achievement, with the Model Y securing the top spot as the best-selling vehicle and Tesla becoming the third best-selling brand overall in the country.
Electric vehicle sales in Australia reached a historic milestone in August, surpassing conventional gasoline-powered cars for the first time. This surge, largely driven by Chinese-made models and Tesla's strong performance, saw BEVs capture nearly a quarter of the new car market.
Tesla has confirmed it is actively developing a localized version of its Full Self-Driving (FSD) v14 Lite software specifically for right-hand-drive markets in Oceania. This move marks a significant step toward expanding advanced driver-assistance features beyond North America, with a focus on adapting the system to unique regional road conditions and regulations.
Australian Clean Energy Electric Vehicles (ACE EV) is touring its new battery-electric utility vehicle, the 'Yewt,' and a corresponding minivan model across Australia. This move aims to showcase the vehicles' capabilities and reignite the country's domestic automotive manufacturing sector with locally designed and built EVs.
The U.S. government is bolstering its critical minerals supply chain by supporting an Australian rare earth mining company. This strategic move aims to reduce reliance on China for essential materials used in EV batteries and motors, particularly those sourced from the Lynas mine in Western Australia. The investment underscores a broader effort to secure the raw materials necessary for the burgeoning electric vehicle industry's growth.
Australia experienced its strongest month ever for electric vehicle sales, with seven different EV models each selling over 1,000 units. Notably, all of these top sellers are either built in China or come from Chinese-owned brands, highlighting China's growing influence in the global EV market. Even the chart-topping Tesla Model Y sold in Australia is manufactured in Shanghai.
Ford is currently selling a plug-in hybrid version of its Ranger pickup truck in Australia, offering a glimpse into what may eventually arrive stateside. This electrified Ranger pairs a 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine with an electric motor, promising both efficiency and capable performance.
