15 + 15 more, EV Brands you may have never heard of
What’s a “traditional” car brand? It used to be US, UK, Euro and Aussie dominated. Then it was the influx of Japanese brands, and Toyota, Mazda and Nissan became household names. Korean companies like Kia and Hyundai were next, going from also ran to mainsteam!
Now, with EV technology now becoming mainstream and demand increasing, the floodgates are opening for many new, and unknown brands to enter the Australia market. Bringing with them new technologies and levels of comfort which may blow the “traditional” OEM’s away.
Here’s 15(+ another 15 ) Brands which you may not of heard of.
Many are Luxury arms of more established brands, while many are niches or sub brands.
However, all have exciting products in production, or about to go into production, somewhere in the world.
And while this is a taste, it’s by no means the whole menu of what’s available. Many may not come to Australia any time soon but keep an eye out, some of these brands have big plans!
Oh, special mention to Australian EV motorcycle builder Savic.
Click on one of the brands below, for more info.
APTERA
Aptera builds one of the most efficient, aerodynamic solar powered EV’s in the world. Aptera aim to create the most efficient transport on the planet.
Aiways
An innovative new EV brand devoted to making electric driving as enjoyable, exciting, and accessible as possible with the new U5 and U6, and more to come.
CANOO
Canoo has reinvented the design of commercial and lifestyle EV’s focusing on fresh design, flexible ownership structures and low user infrastructure.
Changan Auto
CHANGAN Automobile is one of the four major Chinese automobile groups, with 40 years of car manufacturing experience, they have their own brands and JV’s with major international manufacturers.
Chery
Chery is a Chines State owned global automotive manufacturer of it’s own brands and under the Chery Brand name.
Founded in 1997, Chery is one of the largest exporter of motor vehicles, exporting to more than 80 countries and regions with over 14 million vehicles sold worldwide.
Cadillac
Cadillac has been the premier luxury brand in the USA for over 120 years, as part of the General Motor and the new Cadillac LYRIQ EV is the latest carnation. It’s on it’s way to Australia.
Dacia
Dacia is owned by Renault Group, and their latest update of the Spring is budget special, made in China by Renault’s local partner Dongfeng. It’s only available in the UK and Europe, for now, but you never know!
Deepal by Changan
Deepal, a sub-brand of Chinese automotive giant, Changan, has had its S07 electric SUV approved for the Australian market, and more to come with the SO7 SUV & the big tank, the G318.
GAC
One of the world’s largest vehicle manufacturers and suppliers, GAC from Guangzhou, partners with many major global manufacturers and is now entering the EV market with the Aion Y, slated for Australia.
Fang Cheng Bao by BYD
Or Formula Bao, in English, it’s BYD’s luxury brands. You can’t miss the big Leopard or Bao 5 SUV, then keep an eye out for the 3 & 8.
Geely
Geely is global Auto group which produces vehicles under the Geely banner, Galaxy E5 but also owns and many of the world’s major EV brands, eg. Volvo, Lotus, Proton, newly relaunched Smart and Zeekr.
GWM ORA
GWM (Great Wall Motors) Ora is a new brand from the group (which includes Haval and Tank) focusing on EV’s, fun lifestyle segment, currently with just the GWM Ora (or Funky Cat overseas) in Australia
IM Motors by SAIC
IM Motors is a new brand under the newly formed Zhiji Automobile, headquartered in Shanghai, which is a joint venture between SAIC Group and Alibaba Group specialising in developing and manufacturing electric vehicles. LS 6
JAC – EV Trucks
JAC is the Big EV Trucks builder, huge in China and expanding around the world. They’ve now entered the Australian market where the Ute market is on the up.
Jetour by Chery
Jetour is another Chery brand, established in 2018. It produces mainly crossovers and SUVs, petrol and EV. Their most famous EV to-date, the micro EV, Icecream.
LDV by SAIC
You’ll know this one, they are already in Australia, but they do have the exciting and tough looking EV Ute, the Maxus already in other markets, to join the 4 EV’s, van’s and people mover already here.
LEAPMOTOR
Leapmotor relatively new, pure-play EV company based in China. Their philosophy is to design and build EVs by approaching them as electronic products, The first, the C10 is mooted for right hand drive markets, including Australia.
LYNK & CO by Geely & Volvo
Lynk & Co was created as a JV between Geely & Volvo positioned as a “new premium” EV brand. Already they offering a range of petrol and EV’s around the world, no mention on them landing in Australia just yet.
Lucid
As one of the earliest EV innovators, with former Tesla people, Lucid’s sedans and new SUV are some of the the most technologically advanced, best performing, and dare we say it, closest Tesla competitor built. Now for adoption and sales success. No mention of Australian introduction.
Nio
Nio is new EV brand, shaped by a technological, design and future mobility vision. Already offering 9 EV’s in China and other markets, although their ET5 model was spied in Australia undergoing testing there’s not firm plans for an Australian launch.
Neta by Hozon Auto
Hozon is a design and technology inspired EV brand, founded in 2014 and now producing 5 EV’s under the Neta brand. Expansion into Indonesia, Brazil and Kenya, may keep them busy before we see them in Australia any time soon.
Radar Auto by Geely
An outdoor, lifestyle brand by the Geely Group, think Zeekr, Polestar, Smart, focusing on outdoor vehicles, and to Australian’s this means utes. Keep an eye out for their RD6, one of many EV utes on the way.
RIMAC
Rimac designs, engineers and builds the most advanced automotive EV technology possible. From developing era-defining hypercars to ground-breaking new technologies they have pushed technology to the edge with their hyper EV, the Nevera. Not expected in anytime Australia soon!
RIVIAN
Rivan is a US EV only builder focusing on all of life design, developing and building the first Rivian Truck and SUV entirely inhouse. So far they have redefined the US Truck market with a totally new approach to EV outdoor lifestyles with their
Smart by Geely
Smart, you probably know. It was the leader in super compact Euro cars. Formerly a JV between Mercedes and Swatch, it’s now a Mercedes/Geely JV and has returned, naturally as an bigger, more practical EV SUV. Coming to Australia soon via one of Mercedes biggest distributors, ISHAuto.
SGMW
SGMW was established in 2002 as a joint venture between SAIC, Liuzhou Wuling Motors and GM China. Their most famous EV so far is the top selling Wuling Hongguang Mini EV, not seen on Australian shores yet.
Skywell/Skyworth
An expansion of the Skywell passenger and commercial manufacturing business into new energy, has see the introduction of the ET5 SUV (or EV6 or Elaris Beo as it’s known in other markets). No plans for introduction in Australia yet.
VINFAST
Part of the Vietnamese Vingroup, Vinfast has grown quickly to be the largest EV seller at home, with an excellent entry EV and big expansion plans for the future. Big push into the USA for Vinfast, with Chinese cars being banned but no word on Australia yet.
XPENG
Xpeng are quickly building a global network (particularly in Northern Europe), providing innovative, stylish and affordable EV’s – on the ground and in the air! – and now, thanks to local company TrueEV, they are launching in Australia with the G6, SUV.
ZEEKR by Geely
Zeekr is a premium brand from the Geely stable (including Polestar and Lotus) and launched in 2021. They produce high quality EV’s focusing on driver experience and efficiency. and they are coming to Australia soon, check out the 009, X & 7X.