January 2026

Total cost of ownership tips decisively in favour of electric cars and purchase intentions remain steady ahead of major shifts expected in 2026. Ultra-fast charging is scaling up rapidly, with ABB and Ampol deploying the nation’s first 400kW chargers in Sydney, expanded ultra-fast hubs in Western Sydney, and NSW investing heavily in regional EV networks while tightening rules to eliminate unreliable public chargers. The market is set for a surge of more affordable models, with an influx of new EVs arriving before and beyond 2026, Kia launching its fifth EV locally, and Chinese brand NIO confirmed for Australia. Alongside this growth, attention is turning to smarter charging, cybersecurity risks in electric buses, and safety concerns around converted EVs, as Australia also backs innovation with a $30 million funding boost for self-driving vehicle development and tracks global EV developments, from Ukraine’s charging network to evolving international standards.