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Australia

Australian EV sales outpace petrol-only cars for a third straight month as diesel import bill grows

By Eve

The Driven Podcast reports that electric cars have outsold petrol-only cars in Australia for a third consecutive month, with battery electric vehicles taking a growing share of the new-car market. The episode covers the October sales figures, Hyundai's new Staria Load Electric and its implications for the commercial van market, and Australia's rising dependence on imported diesel, with the title citing a $9 billion fuel problem. Hosts Sam Parkinson and Sarah Aubrey frame electrification as increasingly a matter of energy security and economics as well as emissions.

Why it matters

Sustained BEV share growth and the arrival of electric commercial vans point to broader charging demand, including depot and fleet use, in the Australian market. The energy security and fuel bill framing may also strengthen the policy case for continued support of charging infrastructure.

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SMMT chief says heavy UK electric car discounting is not sustainable in the long term

Mike Hawes, Chief Executive of the SMMT, told the Express that manufacturers are relying heavily on discounts on newly released models, alongside other incentives, to drive electric vehicle demand. Discounts as high as 15% are described as common as firms work to meet the Zero Emissions Vehicle mandate, which sets a 33% fully electric target for 2026 rising to 80% by 2030, with penalties of around £12,000 per non-compliant car. Hawes warned the approach is unsustainable for businesses and for buyers facing lower resale values.

Why it matters

Demand propped up by discounting rather than organic uptake adds uncertainty to the pace of EV parc growth that charging network business cases depend on. Procurement teams and CPOs should watch whether mandate pressure and falling resale values affect the volume and mix of vehicles reaching UK roads.

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Why it matters

Fleets have only a few months left to buy under the current relief, which may pull vehicle orders forward and then soften demand afterwards. Charging operators and procurement teams planning workplace, depot or fleet charging should expect changes in the timing and scale of fleet electrification.

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Southeast Los Angeles Ride & Drive event offers free EV test drives and help applying for up to $16,000 in incentives

Empower Gateway will hold a "Ride & Drive" event on 14 November at the Hub Cities Consortium parking lot, 4354 Tweedy Boulevard, South Gate, according to L.A. TACO as reported by The Cool Down. Residents can take 10 minute test drives in EVs brought by participating dealers, and specialists will help them apply for incentives worth up to $16,000, including up to $4,000 from Southern California Edison and up to $12,000 from California's Clean Cars 4 All with an eligible trade-in. Eligibility depends on income limits and other programme requirements.

Why it matters

Outreach that combines test drives with hands-on incentive applications can move lower-income households towards EV ownership, which builds future demand for public and neighbourhood charging in Gateway Cities. CPOs and site hosts targeting Southeast Los Angeles may want to track how events like this shape local charging needs.

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