New Electric Vehicles In Australia — Volvo EX30, Tesla Model 3 Highland, and … Toyota Cybertruk?

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What do you do in your time without work? Wednesdays are our designated journey day, so we checked out some electrical car stuff! We visited the brand new high-speed chargers BP has put in simply across the nook, checked out the brand new Tesla Mannequin 3 Highland with plaid signage, and checked out the Volvo EX30. However probably the most thrilling a part of the day was after we noticed the brand new Toyota Cybertruk. Don’t fear, we took footage for proof!

EV penetration in our suburb in northern Brisbane has grown massively since we adopted Tess (our Tesla Mannequin 3) 4½ years in the past. Our suburb has gone from one Tesla to many and from no high-speed charging to 4 stations inside two kilometres — Ampcharge on the Ampol servo, Metropolis Council Library (these are free ones, however it’s a must to deliver your individual cable), Woolworths grocery store (managed by RACQ),  and now BP Pulse on the BP servo. A number of the locals vented in regards to the new chargers on Fb, however it gained’t cease the tsunami of EVs heading Australia’s method!

We cost at dwelling, so we gained’t be doubtless to make use of any of them, however we see them in use after we buy groceries and go to the library. In accordance with the Australian Automobile Associationthere are 87 BEVs registered in our suburb.

After enjoying with the BP Pulse chargers — my, these cables have been heavy — we headed into the center of Brisbane to take a look at the brand new Highland model of the Mannequin 3. The salesperson mentioned that regardless of the livery, it wasn’t a Plaid however a Efficiency. We sat and we chat. The seats have been extremely comfy, and there wasn’t an excessive amount of change within the tech — largely simply no stalks, indicator buttons as an alternative, however we might deal with that. Sadly, no demonstrator fashions have been accessible for a take a look at drive. I might have favored a hoon as much as the native lookout the place we take most new EVs — most lately, the BYD Seal.

Then it was off to take a look at the Volvo XC30. It’s an thrilling entrant to the Australian EV scene which is already climbing the charts in Europe, as reported on CleanTechnica last week. Simply as we have been crossing the street, we have been struck by probably the most superb sight: a Toyota Cybertruk! Don’t imagine me? Take a look at the images!

Is that this a tradie tribute to Tesla’s iconic ute? It’s an try at a knockoff? Or, extra doubtless, is it only a weird coincidence? You be the decide.

Then to the primary purpose we have been within the huge smoke, a go to to the Volvo dealership to take a look at the Volvo EX30. I had been studying on CleanTechnica in regards to the rise of this new providing from Volvo because it climbed the charts in Europe and Scandinavia, so I used to be desirous to test it out.

First, a few negatives: It was costlier than I anticipated — Australia wants extra inexpensive EVs, no more priced at about AU$60,000. Second, it doesn’t are available pink! Apparently, it does within the UK, however not right here!

Majella was impressed by the massive display screen and the navigation that confirmed not solely the place the high-speed freeway chargers have been, however how lengthy you would want to remain at every one. Not lengthy, it appears. It even plotted the path to St. George (central Queensland) — utilizing chargers which made it an extended journey, however a doable journey. The steering wheel buttons have been intuitive and straightforward to know. Simply sitting above the wheel was the eye-tracking monitor to ensure that the driving force is paying consideration.

As you’d count on, Volvo has made each effort to create a protected automobile. The salesperson identified that when the airbags deploy, the home windows open sufficient to stop air strain buildup affecting the occupants’ ear drums. The automobile robotically calls emergency companies when the airbags deploy.

The simplicity of the dashboard was interesting, and similar to a Tesla’s. The EX30 is a small SUV, which made it simple to get out and in of. Volvo has made nice use of the boot house. The duvet drops down to offer extra space (higher than Tesla’s gap within the ground strategy). They’ve even included a diagram on the boot lid to indicate what can match within the house.

It was a heat and informative session with the gross sales guide, who knew his product. He informed us that he will get to take a special automobile dwelling each 6 weeks and this allows him to know his automobiles in depth. Little bit of a distinction to the ORA salesman who was not allowed to take the EV dwelling for the weekend and so had loads much less data and expertise. It was additionally higher than the Toyota BZ4X salesmanwho needed to do a little bit of homework to reply our questions.

The EX30 is anticipated to be a hit story in Australia. The Brisbane dealership has 200 on order, and nationally the determine is in extra of 2000. “We are now selling the 2025 build,” the salesperson informed us.

At the moment of headlines declaring that peak EV penetration won’t exceed 30%, that progress is slowing and that ICE will probably be round for a protracted whereas but, it’s price having a little bit historic perspective. This Fortune article is worth checking out — it reads as whether it is making an attempt to offer solace to those that are grieving the lack of their fossil fuelled mobility units. Are petrol heads beginning the grief course of — many are nonetheless in denial, many are indignant, some take into account hybrids a type of bargaining, there’s not a lot melancholy, and shortly there will probably be acceptance. These of us who’ve gone electrical are previous this and are celebrating decrease value, extra enjoyable, and safer driving.

Right here is my current historical past: Again in 2016, whereas we have been ready for our Mannequin 3, Majella and I drove each accessible EV in Brisbane — the Mannequin S, the Mannequin X, the Renault Zoe, the Hyundai Ioniq, the BMW i3, and the Jaguar i-PACE. That’s proper — solely six fashions accessible. When we now have our espresso mornings, I mood my impatience in regards to the lagging EV revolution by reminding myself and my coffee-loving buddies that many of the vehicles within the automobile park didn’t exist in Australia 2 years in the past. I particularly level out the Mannequin Y and all of the BYDs.

Be affected person throughout this transition, assist your pals and neighbours by their grief course of, and rejoice that our future is vivid and electrical. And don’t overlook to maintain your eyes open for the Toyota Cybertruk!