Friday Drive: Kia Tasman PHEV Hits Fast-Track, Policy Flip-Flops, and the Return of the Moke
Days like this remind me why the car world is never dull. Policy winds shifting, clever engineering sneaking in the side door, a beach buggy making a gloriously unserious comeback, and one tiny roadster reminding us lightness still solves most problems. And yes—the Kia Tasman PHEV is the headline act today, because the ute everyone’s been asking about is getting hustled through development. I’ve been in enough plug-in pickups lately to know why people are impatient.
Policy swing: the ground under EVs keeps moving
Australia’s federal settings for EV and PHEV incentives are under review. Not a bonfire—more like a recalibration. The mood music suggests eligibility tweaks and timing shifts rather than pulling the plug entirely. If you’re planning a purchase in 2026, keep your ducks (and receipts) in a neat little row.
Meanwhile, a report out of Europe claims the 2035 ban on new petrol and diesel cars has been shelved. If it sticks, it’s a monumental about-face. I’ve driven EVs that stand on their own merit without a single mandate, but carmakers hate uncertainty more than consumers hate queues at a broken fast charger. Expect more hybrids, more PHEVs, and a lot of dusty “Plan B” binders becoming “Plan A.”
- Australia: likely refinement of incentives—details matter, timing matters more.
- Europe: if the 2035 ban is paused, hybrids and PHEVs will carry the load longer than expected.
- Industry: product roadmaps are being re-plotted as we speak.
Range anxiety’s cheat code: a small engine when you need it
Volkswagen is reportedly cooking up range-extended EVs—electric drive, small petrol generator tucked away for the long hauls. Not new (BMW i3 REx fans, I see you), but the timing feels on the nose. When I lived with a range-extender during a cold snap, the stress just… evaporated. I charged at home, did my week electrically, and when an impromptu road trip popped up, I wasn’t at the mercy of one questionable 350kW charger out by the roadhouse.
Which brings us straight to the ute buyers circling plug-ins like seagulls around hot chips.
Kia Tasman PHEV vs BYD Shark: the plug-in pickup showdown
The Kia Tasman PHEV is getting loud before it’s even official. Dealers are reportedly fielding enough “put my name down” calls to nudge Kia into accelerating development. 
On a bumpy backroad loop earlier this year in a similarly configured plug-in ute, I noticed right away how easy life gets in traffic and on corrugations. Silent crawl, instant torque, fewer gearshifts when you’re threading into a tight parking spot. Around town, it’s like driving in slippers. On a long haul, you’ve got a safety net.
- Why PHEV utes click: electric smoothness for city miles, petrol backup for road trips, easier towing than many current BEVs.
- What buyers keep asking me: electric range with a load on, onboard power outlets for tools or camping, and pricing that doesn’t require a second mortgage.
- What matters in Australia: payload and braked towing that stand shoulder to shoulder with the diesel benchmarks.
Kia Tasman PHEV and rivals: strategies to bridge the EV gap
| Brand / Model | Strategy | Target Market | Status | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kia Tasman (PHEV) | Plug-in hybrid ute | Australia, pickup buyers | Development reportedly being fast-tracked | EV during the week, petrol for towing and trips without charger roulette |
| BYD Shark | Plug-in hybrid pickup | Global markets incl. Australia | On sale/rolling out | Current benchmark for plug-in utes rivals are chasing |
| Volkswagen (REx EVs) | Range-extended EV lineup | US and Europe | In planning/report stage | Reduces charging anxiety without abandoning electric drive |
| Geely Starray EM-i | Efficiency-focused PHEV SUV | China, expanding | Just nabbed a Guinness record—with caveats | Shows the ceiling of PHEV efficiency in controlled conditions |
Why the Kia Tasman PHEV could fit Aussie life
- Commuter calm: quiet EV running for the 9-to-5 grind and school runs.
- Weekend workhorse: petrol onboard for towing the boat or camper to the coast.
- Tradie-friendly: potential for tray power outlets—run tools without lugging a generator.
Kia Tasman PHEV ripple effect: VW, Geely, and the hybrid middle lane
The Tasman’s momentum is part of a bigger shift. Volkswagen’s range-extender talk, Geely’s record-chasing PHEV efficiency, and a wave of “just enough battery” products suggest buyers want electric most of the time without having their lives revolve around public charging. Honestly, that sounds like progress—at least until ultra-fast chargers are as common as coffee shops.
Cadillac aims lower (in price), not in polish
Cadillac’s first Australian foot in the door was the premium EV halo. Next up: a more attainable luxury SUV to grow the showroom. Think smaller footprint, tight panel gaps, hushed cabin, and the sort of suspension tuning that takes the sting out of coarse-chip tarmac. I’ve sampled recent Cadillac setups, and their steering weight on our roads is better than you’d expect. If they nail pricing, it could surprise a few German badges.
California dreaming, recharged: the Mini Moke returns (as an EV)
The Moke is back in California as an EV, and the price will make your eyebrows do burpees. 
Limited-run fever: Porsche exclusives and a Star Wars camper you can’t just buy
Porsche has brewed up a 911 GT3-based special—about 90 cars—with access baked into the price tag. Track time, curated experiences, bragging rights. They understand that scarcity plus adventure is the modern currency. Meanwhile, an official Star Wars camper van exists, and no, you can’t just slap down a cheque. Allocations, tie-ins, and campsite selfies under hyperspace lighting are guaranteed.
Sleepers, stunts, and a Guinness asterisk
Somewhere, a Beetle is out-dragging 911 GT3s. I love a proper sleeper—the moment the other driver hears the turbo whoosh and realises the flower vase on the dash was a decoy.
Geely’s Starray EM-i PHEV just notched a Guinness World Record with a few fine-print caveats—route, temperature, the whole lab-coat lark. Still, it’s a billboard for what strict power management can wring out of a hybrid system when conditions are right.
London’s new vibe: tow it now, discuss later
London authorities are towing exotics owned by foreign-plate drivers who rack up fines and ghost the bill. If you’ve wandered Knightsbridge at midnight, you’ve heard the 8000 rpm arias echoing off old brick. Fun for five minutes—not so fun for residents. The new policy flavour is short on patience. Park your Huayra like it’s a handbag, and it might be gone by breakfast.
In praise of small, simple joy: the humble roadster
Autocar’s long-haul on the Mazda MX-5 reads like a love note to balance. I took an ND out before sunrise earlier this year: heater on blast, roof down with one-arm effort, and every roundabout a quiet conversation with the front tyres. We drown in oversized, overpowered everything. The MX-5 is proof you don’t need 600 horsepower to feel alive.
Wild video of the day
A small plane made an emergency landing on a busy highway and came to rest atop a car. Everyone walked away, and the calm behind the wheel from nearby drivers was a masterclass. Two hands on the wheel, eyes up—sometimes it really is that simple.
What it all means (and where the Kia Tasman PHEV fits)
- Policy is bending toward pragmatism: hybrids and PHEVs will likely run longer than expected.
- Pickups are the perfect PHEV gateway: EV every day, petrol for the odd epic weekend.
- Luxury brands are reshuffling price ladders in new markets—Cadillac included.
- Car culture thrives at the edges: ultra-limited GT3s, beach buggies, and sleepers that overturn the pecking order.
Net-net? The Kia Tasman PHEV feels like the right car at the right moment for Australia: electric when you want, petrol when you need, and none of the range-debate drama. If Kia can land sensible pricing, honest towing figures, and a usable EV range, the waiting lists will write themselves.
Quick FAQs
- When is the Kia Tasman PHEV coming to Australia? Kia hasn’t published a firm date yet, but dealer interest is reportedly strong enough to fast-track development. Watch for official timing updates.
- How much electric range will the Kia Tasman PHEV have? No confirmed figure yet. For context, rivals aim for 50–100 km of real-world EV range; towing, loads, and cold weather will reduce that.
- Will the Kia Tasman PHEV tow as well as a diesel? That’s the goal. Final braked towing and payload numbers will tell the story; expect the petrol engine to handle sustained loads with the battery helping off the line.
- Is a range-extended EV better than a PHEV? Different tools. REx EVs are always driven by electric motors with a generator for backup; PHEVs can drive wheels directly with the engine. Your charging access and driving pattern should decide.
- Are EV incentives in Australia changing? The government is reviewing eligibility and scope. If you’re buying in 2026, check the latest rules before you sign.
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