GWM says PHEVs key to EV transition in Australia

GWM says the expansion of its plug-in hybrid (PHEV) lineup is key to Australians transitioning to electric vehicles (EVs), but it’s not getting rid of petrol engines anytime soon.

The Chinese brand currently offers a couple of plug-in hybrid (PHEV) models – the GWM Cannon Alpha dual-cab ute and Haval H6 GT SUV – as well as multiple non-plug-in hybrids in its Australian lineup.

It also offers diesel engines in its Tank 300 and Tank 500 models, as well as the electric GWM Ora city hatch, currently its only EV although it plans two more in 2026.

Yet GWM Australia chief operating officer John Kett says the automaker’s PHEV range – set to grow in 2025 with the Tank 500 PHEV, one of two new SUVs due here by the end of the year – is the key to Australians embracing EVs.

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“With hybrid enabling people to get out of diesel, ICE [internal combustion] petrol, maybe PHEV is an easier transition to address people’s concerns around [whether] it just might not make a charging station, right?” Mr Kett said at the launch of the refreshed Haval H6.

“Ultimately, that infrastructure does grow [with PHEV sales], and that’s certainly on the private tiers that are investing and on the government to support.”

The GWM boss said PHEVs becoming the norm will make the step to EVs smaller for consumers – in terms of sticker price – while the expansion of infrastructure will improve the practicality of EV ownership. 

PHEVs will also help GWM meet emissions targets under the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES), which will get tougher annually until 2029.

“We know that even when we step up to PHEV, and it has a premium over ICE or hybrid, then the whole market has to move there and it resettles on pricing,” said Mr Kett.

Yet EVs won’t be forced into the lineup to meet emissions regulations, with GWM expressing full confidence the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) can be met by the company’s growing range of hybrid models. 

“We feel well positioned, because we’ve got a portfolio to do everything,” Mr Kett said. 

“It [the brand’s EV models] won’t have to be levered, right – it will deliver a number that’s in line with the industry percentage of NVES … and if PHEV [plug-in hybrid electric vehicle] does its job, it’ll overcompensate.”

“NVES, the way it’s written, is a supply side constraint. You have to bring it, so you’re going to have to sell it at some point … the best way to sell it is to build products that have a transition and a price point.”

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