Plug-in hybrid (PHEV) gross sales are on the rise, however there’s not lengthy left if you wish to rating important financial savings.
The electrical automobile (EV) Fringe Advantages Tax (FBT) exemption for novated lease autos is ending for PHEVs on April 1, 2025, which suggests you’ve acquired lower than a month left to purchase and obtain a brand new PHEV if you wish to take benefit.
To be eligible for FBT exemptions, a brand new plug-in hybrid should fall beneath the Luxurious Automobile Tax (LCT) threshold of $91,387 for gasoline environment friendly autos – i.e. a automobile that “doesn’t exceed 7.0L/100km” on the mixed cycle.
With that standards, we’ve requested the CarExpert group which eligible PHEV they’d purchase no matter physique fashion or automobile sort.
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Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
Listed below are a number of the PHEVs eligible for FBT exemptions in Australia:
Tell us which you’d choose within the feedback under!
Marton Pettendy: Ford Ranger PHEV
This one’s a no brainer for me: the PHEV I’d purchase is the Ford Ranger as a result of I want a brand new ute and it’s solely about $3000 pricier than the XLT V6 that I might in any other case have purchased.
What’s extra, it blows the V6 away with 200kW-plus and circa-700Nm outputs, whereas sipping lower than 3.0L/100km, travelling nearly 50km in EV mode and the power to energy electrical units contained in the cab and tray.
Sure, it arrives too late to get the PHEV FBT exemption and it’s a bit pricier than the BYD Shark 6 and GWM Cannon Alpha PHEVs, each of which provide double the EV vary and longer warranties.
However the plug-in Ranger relies on the benchmark within the ute class, tows a full tonne greater than the BYD, has the backing of an enormous nationwide supplier community and is a recognized amount that may in all probability outlast me.
Concerned about shopping for a Ford Ranger? Get in contact with considered one of our trusted sellers right here
MORE: Every part Ford Ranger
James Wong: BYD Sealion 6 Important
When you’re eager to get into an excellent PHEV and never spend upwards of $60,000, it’s exhausting to beat the brand new entry-level BYD Sealion 6.
At $42,990 plus on-road prices or lower than $47,000 drive-away, it’s an absolute steal in comparison with equally sized rivals – particularly the rival Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-in Hybrid EV which begins some $15,000 greater.
It could have dropped just a few options from the outgoing Dynamic, but it surely covers all bases after which some with change to spare. Plus, it provides higher effectivity and EV driving vary (~90km NEDC) than the top-spec Premium.
Given the principle counterargument for PHEVs is the worth premiums outweigh the effectivity and operating price positive factors, the Sealion 6 addresses the principle barrier for PHEV tech in Australia.
Concerned about shopping for a BYD Sealion 6? Get in contact with considered one of our trusted sellers right here
MORE: Every part BYD Sealion 6
William Stopford: Cupra Formentor VZe
PHEV gross sales could also be experiencing main development of late, however that is fuelled largely by BYD as we’ve truly misplaced a lot of PHEV choices of late, from the BMW 3 Collection to the Mercedes-Benz GLC and extra just lately the Jeep Grand Cherokee, Volvo S60, and all of Peugeot’s PHEVs.
The plain alternative is the BYD Sealion 6 which has stormed up the gross sales charts, and is doing even higher than the final inexpensive Chinese language PHEV SUV, the MG HS.
I’ve but to drive a Sealion 6, however I used to be impressed by how easy BYD’s powertrain expertise was within the Shark 6.
Then there’s the Outlander PHEV, Mitsubishi’s pioneering plug-in, for which an replace is coming quickly with extra energy and vary. It’s pricier than the BYD, however Mitsubishi too is an previous hand at this PHEV enterprise, and the Japanese model has a wider supplier community, longer guarantee, and provides a 3rd row in its mid-sized SUV PHEV.
Each fashions have benefited from an actual dearth of competitors. The place are the PHEV variations of the Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage and Toyota RAV4 supplied abroad?
Each the Sealion 6 and Outlander PHEV are the apparent, smart choices, which explains why they had been the most well-liked and second hottest PHEVs in Australia final 12 months.
On the threat of being boring although, I’ll throw my vote to the Cupra Formentor VZe once more. It’s additionally receiving a longer-range replace imminently and whereas it’s smaller than the BYD and Mitsubishi, it’s fashionable and drives properly.
It’s the PHEV I can image in my storage, however I can perceive why the BYD and Mitsubishi are way more frequent on our roads.
Concerned about shopping for a Cupra Formentor? Get in contact with considered one of our trusted sellers right here
MORE: Every part Cupra Formentor
Jordan Mulach: BYD Sealion 6
Sure, it’s a mid-size SUV, however the Sealion 6 will mobilise the lots with plug-in hybrid expertise in contrast to any automobile earlier than it.
Not solely is it properly priced but in addition properly geared up, and it doesn’t damage that it’s acquired an electrical driving vary which might make many marvel why they’d ever contemplate an EV.
Concerned about shopping for a BYD Sealion 6? Get in contact with considered one of our trusted sellers right here
MORE: Every part BYD Sealion 6
Sean Lander: Ford Ranger XLT PHEV
I’m torn between the Shark 6 and the Ranger PHEV – on one hand, the Shark is all of the PHEV one may ever want.
It’s quick, snug and has an amazing EV vary. However I need a ute to do ute issues and customarily ute in regards to the place.
So it’s the Ranger PHEV XLT for me.
Sure, it’s a good lick costlier than the Shark and sure, it’s battery is manner smaller. However, I do know will probably be reliable, it is going to take abuse and it nonetheless has the mod-cons I take pleasure in in a automobile. Plus I simply actually like Rangers.
It might by no means be a alternative for my XR8 ute, but it surely’s about as shut as we’ve got acquired so far with out entering into the US pick-ups.
Concerned about shopping for a Ford Ranger? Get in contact with considered one of our trusted sellers right here
MORE: Every part Ford Ranger
Jack Fast: BYD Shark 6
I’ve mentioned this earlier than, however the Shark 6 has revolutionised how I understand and expertise a dual-cab ute.
The primary factor that stood out to me was how quiet the factor is when driving on EV energy. I’m used to listening to and feeling the agricultural clatter of a diesel engine from beneath the bonnet, so it’s a refreshing change.
Additionally, this ute has 100km of claimed EV vary, not less than in keeping with lenient NEDC testing, which is gobsmacking.
Then there’s the ability. As Paul demonstrated in his video, the Shark 6 is able to beating a Ranger Raptor in a drag race. It’s doubtless a bit of an excessive amount of for the common Joe, but it surely’s enjoyable to flex this from time to time.
Lastly, in comparison with different utes, the Shark 6 is luxuriously appointed for the interesting value level of $57,990 earlier than on-roads. There’s not a lot on the market that gives as a lot as this ute for the worth tag.
Earlier than you bounce on my again within the feedback, the Shark 6 actually received’t be for everybody, however which automobile ever is?
Concerned about shopping for a BYD Shark 6? Get in contact with considered one of our trusted sellers right here
MORE: Every part BYD Shark 6
Max Davies: Cupra Leon VZe
Given its top-class consolation and trip high quality, I might’ve gone for the Formentor VZe, however I feel I’d desire to downsize and go for the plug-in Leon as a substitute.
Having pushed a hatchback every day for the previous few years, after which spent numerous hours behind the wheels of varied SUVs courtesy of CarExpert, I do know I a lot desire a smaller physique fashion.
Then there’s my just lately realised sentiment that the Cupra Leon is without doubt one of the solely new automobiles I’d genuinely contemplate spending my cash on presently, although my first choice can be the quick VZx.
So, I feel it is sensible to mix the graceful – and nonetheless surprisingly fast – PHEV drivetrain fitted to the Formentor VZe with the smaller and extra nimble physique of the Leon. When you lose roughly 40kW of energy in comparison with the VZx, the Leon VZe nonetheless has the identical 400Nm of torque and is supposedly way more gasoline environment friendly.
Electrical driving vary isn’t horrible at a claimed 67km. The one downside is that you must make do with solely front-wheel drive, however there’s a variety of drive modes to harness its energy nonetheless you’d like.
Greater than $60,000 earlier than on-roads remains to be pretty steep although, and it could be higher to attend till the VW Group swaps out these annoying touch-control local weather sliders.
Concerned about shopping for a Cupra Leon? Get in contact with considered one of our trusted sellers right here
MORE: Every part Cupra Leon
Josh Nevett: BYD Shark 6
Let’s be actual for a second – what quantity of Australian ute patrons truly refill the tray or tow a trailer? Positive, these individuals are in all probability higher off shopping for a Ranger, however the BYD Shark 6 is my prime choose for the remaining.
It’s in contrast to another ute I’ve skilled. The plug-in hybrid powertrain offers efficiency that rivals may solely dream of – BYD claims the Shark 6 can do the 0-100km/h dash in 5.7 seconds, making it faster than a Ranger Raptor.
And while you’re accomplished smoking an overconfident tradie from the lights, you compromise in for as much as 100km of electric-only driving. The inside is snug and well-equipped, trimmed in supplies often reserved for top-tier dual-cabs.
The Shark 6 additionally provides V2L charging functionality, so you may energy a variety of home equipment and instruments along with your automobile, battery cost allowing.
All for the neat sum of $57,900 earlier than on-road prices – the identical as a mid-spec Ranger or Toyota HiLux. Signal me up!
Concerned about shopping for a BYD Shark 6? Get in contact with considered one of our trusted sellers right here
MORE: Every part BYD Shark 6
