Daily EV news · Australia · 19 August 2026

Hyundai UK has announced a £22,245 drive away starting price for the entry level Ioniq 3 Advance with a 42.2kWh battery, converting to approximately AU$42,500. The compact EV is scheduled to arrive in Australia in the first quarter of 2027, though Hyundai Australia has not yet confirmed local pricing or variant availability. The UK pricing aligns with earlier indications that the Ioniq 3 could start around AU$42,000 plus on road costs in Australia.

Why it matters: The Ioniq 3's anticipated sub AU$45,000 price point positions it as a direct competitor to BYD and MG in the affordable EV segment, potentially driving demand for workplace and public charging infrastructure as compact EVs gain market share. Right hand drive availability and competitive pricing could accelerate EV adoption in both UK and Australian markets, influencing charging network expansion plans.

NewVolt has started construction at Laverton North in Melbourne's west on Australia's first open-access truck charging hub, backed by AU$25.3 million (US$17.34 million) in ARENA funding announced in March 2026. The site, the first of three hubs under Stage 1 of NewVolt's national electric freight network, will support more than 100 charging sessions a day once operational and is targeted for completion in late 2026. The three Melbourne hubs, delivered through ARENA's Driving the Nation programme, are expected to support between 50 and 100 electric trucks across the city's west, south-east and northern freight corridors.

Why it matters: This marks the first open-access heavy-duty charging infrastructure in Australia, opening a new procurement category for fleet operators and logistics companies transitioning to electric trucks. The ARENA-backed model demonstrates public funding mechanisms that CPOs and infrastructure developers can pursue for commercial freight charging projects.