Hybrid electric car import options are set to dramatically increase for Australia.
And ABOUT TIME TOO !
This is long overdue considering the seriousness of climate change and the urgent need to reform the Australian transport sector to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
SKIP straight to Hybrid Electric Options
New import regulations allow the direct import of ANY hybrid and / or electric car to Australia – as long as it was not sold here new.
Even for hybrid electric car models that WERE sold here new, variants of those models may still be allowed for import providing they are “significantly different“ to the locally sold model.
Attraction of Hybrid Electric Cars
The main attraction for consumers (other than feeling good about doing something to combat climate change) is that hybrid vehicles typically use between 2.7 to 6L / 100 km.
Most hybrids also have a driving range considerably higher than standard internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, with over 1,000 km for some models depending on size, weight and of course fuel tank capacity – which is a great time saver as it reduces refueling stops.
Electric vehicles are quiet and have much lower running costs – this all depends on fuel prices and electricity rates which vary, but currently for most Australians, the $ / km of an electric car would generally be about 20% of a standard vehicle as a general guide.
Maintenance is also minimal due to many fewer moving parts and regenerative braking allowing the brake pads to last much longer than a regular car. The need for oil changes and timing belts is gone and owner’s of electric cars are really only left with brakes, steering, electrical, suspension and tyres.
Electric cars obviously have zero emissions at the source so are great for local air quality – of course their underlying efficiency relates to the source of the electricity in the first place which is still predominantly produced from fossil fuels. And you need to consider the efficiency of producing the electricity plus line losses in delivery, and further efficiency losses in charging / discharging.
In time the hope of course is that a move to renewable energy sources coupled with battery storage to stabilise the grid (and in particular the ability to charge your electric car using stored energy from your home solar system) will lead to as close to a nil greenhouse gas emissions transport option as is possible.
We are just at the start of the hybrid electric car revolution with solar, wind and battery technologies set to advance dramatically in coming years, along with hybrid electric car technologies as these all move towards the mainstream and receive more Government support.
In the not too distant future, ICE vehicles will be seen in a negative light, and we will wonder how we ever hung onto them for so long.
Changes to the Australian Market for Hybrid Electric Car Import
Popular import models include the Nissan Leaf fully electric, Nissan Note e-Power hybrid, Nissan NV200 electric van, Nissan Serena e-Power, Toyota Crown hybrid, Toyota Estima hybrid, Toyota Harrier hybrid, Toyota Alphard and Vellfire hybrids, Toyota Noah hybrid, Voxy hybrid and Esquire hybrid, Toyota Rav4 hybrid, Subaru XV hybrid, and Honda Odyssey hybrid.
Current hybrid options use different technologies, including straight HEV (hybrid electric vehicle), PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle) which also allows charging from the grid, and Nissan’s e-Power system where the petrol motor only charges the battery which then powers the electric motor.
If fuel economy is important to you then kei cars (small Japanese cars with 660cc engines in non-hybrid, non-turbo, hybrid and hybrid turbo) are also available – kei car import options.
CURRENT HYBRID ELECTRIC CAR IMPORT OPTIONS + SOON TO BE AVAILABLE
The following choices will be updated on an ongoing basis.
DAIHATSU
Daihatsu Rocky 1.2L Hybrid
HONDA
Honda Freed 1.5L Hybrid
SEVS approval pending
Honda Fit Shuttle 1.5L Hybrid
Honda Fit (Jazz) 1.5L Hybrid (GP5, GP6)
Honda Fit (Jazz) 1.5L Hybrid e:HEV (GR3)
Honda Odyssey 2.0L Hybrid
Honda Vezel 1.5L Hybrid
Honda CR-V 2.0L Hybrid
Honda Grace 1.5L Hybrid
Honda Stepwgn Spada 2.0L Hybrid (RP5)
Honda Stepwgn Spada 2.0L Hybrid (RP8)
LEXUS / TOYOTA
Lexus RX 450h 3.5L Hybrid (GYL10)
Lexus RX 450h 3.5L Hybrid (GYL20)
Lexus LS 500h 3.5L Hybrid
Lexus HS 250h 2.4L Hybrid
Toyota Alphard 2.5L Hybrid 40 Series
Toyota Vellfire 2.5L Hybrid 40 Series
Toyota Alphard 2.5L Hybrid 30 Series
Toyota Vellfire 2.5L Hybrid 30 Series
Toyota Alphard 2.4L Hybrid 20 Series
Toyota Vellfire 2.4L Hybrid 20 series
Toyota Estima 2.4L Hybrid
Toyota Esquire 1.8L Hybrid 80 Series
Toyota Noah 1.8L Hybrid 80 Series
Toyota Noah 1.8L Hybrid 90 Series
Toyota Voxy 1.8L Hybrid 80 Series
Toyota Voxy 1.8L Hybrid 90 Series
Toyota Harrier 2.5L Hybrid 60 Series
Toyota Harrier 2.5L Hybrid 80 Series
Toyota Harrier 2.5L PHEV 80 Series
Toyota C-HR 1.8L Hybrid
Toyota Crown Crossover 2.4L Turbo Hybrid / 2.5L Hybrid
Toyota Crown 2.5L / 3.5L Hybrid
Toyota Crown 3.5L Hybrid
Toyota Sienta 1.5L Hybrid (NHP170)
Toyota Sienta 1.5L Hybrid (MXPL10 / 15)
Toyota Sai 2.4L Hybrid
Toyota Corolla Axio 1.5L Hybrid
Toyota Corolla Fielder 1.5L Hybrid
Toyota Corolla Touring Wagon 1.8L hybrid
Toyota Corolla Cross 1.8L hybrid
Toyota Prius PHV 1.8L Hybrid (ZVW35)
Toyota Prius PHV 1.8L Hybrid (ZVW52)
Toyota Prius PHEV 2.0L Hybrid (MXWH61)
Toyota Prius 1.8 / 2.0L Hybrid (MXWH60 / 65)
Toyota RAV4 2.5L Hybrid PHV
Toyota Raize 1.2L Hybrid
Toyota BZ4X EV
Toyota Vitz 1.5L hybrid
MAZDA
Mazda 3 Hybrid 2.0L (Axela Hybrid)
MERCEDES
Mercedes Benz S-Class 222 series S400 Hybrid sedans SWB and LWB
Mitsubishi
Delica D:2 1.2L Hybrid
Delica D:2 Custom 1.2L Hybrid
Mitsubishi Delica Mini 660cc Hybrid & Hybrid turbo
No longer allowed for import. Model Approval suspended May 2024.
Mitsubishi EK Space 660cc Hybrid
No longer allowed for import. Model Approval suspended May 2024.
Mitsubishi EK X 660cc Hybrid & Hybrid turbo
No longer allowed for import. Model Approval suspended May 2024.
