1. Australia's cheapest electric SUV just changed hands — and it's $26,990
The BYD Atto 2 barely got comfortable with the title before Leapmotor nicked it. The Leapmotor B03X is now Australia's cheapest electric SUV, starting at $26,990 before on-road costs — a full five grand under the Atto 2. There's even a national launch offer of $29,990 drive-away. The base Style grade packs a 39.8kWh LFP battery good for 292km of WLTP range, a 130kW/200Nm front motor, and 100kW DC fast charging. Step up to the Design Long Range at $30,990 and you get a 53kWh pack, 382km of range and 133kW DC charging. Showrooms get them next month. The budget EV war in Australia is well and truly on.
Source: Drive.com.au
2. And the cheapest PHEV in the country is even cheaper
BYD isn't sitting around watching Leapmotor steal its headlines. The Atto 2 DM-i is now Australia's cheapest plug-in hybrid at $24,990 before on-roads, and BYD has already sweetened it further with a $25,990 drive-away offer less than two weeks after launch. BYD Australia's COO told CarExpert there are "no corners cut" — the base car still carries a near-full safety suite with adaptive cruise and lane-centring, blind-spot monitoring, a surround-view camera and rear cross-traffic alert, plus alloy wheels, LED lighting and wireless smartphone mirroring. A PHEV for under 26 grand drive-away is Corolla money. Wild.
Source: CarExpert
3. Tesla's Robotaxi app just landed on Aussie phones — don't hold your breath
You can now download the Tesla Robotaxi app from the Australian App Store and Google Play, but don't expect a driverless ride up Parramatta Road. The service still only operates in seven US cities — the app is available abroad mostly so tourists can hail rides while they're stateside. Tesla did just extend Austin's service hours, now running commercial rides until 11pm, and the driverless Cybercab fleet in Texas is growing fast — registrations jumped from 45 to 169 in about a month. The race is on, but the rides are still over there, not here.
Source: Not a Tesla App
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