Friday Drive: EV Policy Flip-Flops, PHEV Pickup Wars, and the Return of the Moke

I love a news day with a bit of everything: politics wobbles, clever engineering detours, a boutique beach buggy comeback, and one classic roadster reminding us why light and simple still wins. Grab a coffee; this one hops from Canberra to California with a quick layover in London’s penalty box.

Policy swing: Incentives under review, bans under question

Australia’s federal government is weighing tweaks to its EV incentives. The whisper is less about turning the tap off and more about changing the filter—who qualifies, what qualifies, and for how long. If you’re shopping for an EV or a PHEV here, the practical read is simple: keep your paperwork tidy and expect eligibility lines to shift a little in 2026.

Meanwhile, over in Europe, a report claims the 2035 ban on new petrol and diesel cars has been axed. If that truly sticks, it’s a reset of the reset—proof that policy can zig when the charging network and consumer wallets zag. I’ve driven plenty of EVs that make the case on their merits, not mandates. But the industry hates uncertainty more than range anxiety, so expect product planners to dust off “Plan B” binders.

• Australia: incentives likely refined rather than removed.
• Europe: if the 2035 ban is indeed shelved, expect more hybrids and PHEVs in the mix beyond mid-decade.
• Automakers: contingency plans now look a lot like strategy.

Range anxiety’s new answer: a little petrol in the back pocket

Volkswagen is reportedly preparing range-extended EVs (think: an electric drive motor with a small engine acting as a generator). Not new tech—BMW’s i3 REx and several Chinese-market SUVs have done it—but the timing feels right. When I lived with a range-extender setup for a week in winter, the stress just… evaporated. You charge at home, you commute electric, and if a surprise road trip pops up, you don’t spend your evening hunting a 350kW unicorn.

And it dovetails neatly with what’s happening in pickups.

PHEV pickup smackdown: Kia Tasman vs BYD Shark

Kia’s Tasman ute is gathering serious noise in PHEV form. Dealers are apparently fielding enough “can I order one now?” calls to justify fast-tracking development.

The target? BYD’s Shark, which has been the poster child for plug-in pickups—EV running for the commute, petrol for the boat ramp. On a rough backroad loop earlier this year (different truck, similar powertrain), I loved the silent crawl over corrugations; electric torque at parking speeds is addictive.

• Why PHEV utes make sense: quiet torque around town, long-trip flexibility, easier towing than many BEVs today.
• What buyers are asking: real-world electric range with a load, charging ports in the tray, and down-to-earth pricing.
• What matters for Australia: payload and braked towing figures that match the diesel benchmarks.

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	Calls to fast-track due to demand	Combines EV daily use with long-haul/towing capability
BYD Shark	Plug-in hybrid pickup	Global markets incl. Australia	On sale/rolling out	Sets the benchmark PHEV ute rivals are chasing
Volkswagen (REx EVs)	Range-extended EV lineup	US and Europe	In planning/report stage	Eases charging anxiety without full hybrid complexity
Geely Starray EM-i	Efficiency-focused PHEV SUV	China, expanding	Just nabbed a Guinness record—with caveats	Highlights how far PHEV efficiency can go in controlled conditions

Cadillac plots a more affordable SUV for Australia

Cadillac’s opening salvo here was the luxe EV halo; now the brand is lining up a more affordable luxury SUV to grow the showroom. Expect something smaller and sharper than the flagship, with the sort of tech sheen and cabin hush that travels well on coarse-chip Aussie tarmac. I’m quietly excited—Cadillac’s current steering and ride tune suits our roads more than you’d think.

Back to the beach: the Mini Moke is (EV) California dreaming

The Moke returns to California as an EV with a price that’ll make your eyebrows do push-ups.

As a beach-town runabout, it’s joy incarnate: open sides, instant torque, and the kind of steering that makes every corner feel like a cartoon scribble. Practical? Only if your “weekly shop” is a loaf of sourdough and some flip-flops. But if you’ve ever rolled down a boardwalk at sunset in one, you get it.

Limited-run fever: Porsche specials and a Star Wars camper you can’t just buy

Porsche has a new 911 GT3-based limited edition and it’s properly scarce—90 cars, each bundled with an experience money normally can’t buy. The brand understands that rarity plus access is the new currency. Over in the galaxy far, far away, an official Star Wars camper van exists and it’s not simply a “hand over $140K and you’re in” situation. It’s a curated allocation, a promotional tie-in—one that’ll have campsite kids lining up for selfies under hyperspace lighting.

Sleepers and stunts: the “Bug” that beats a GT3 and a record with an asterisk

Somewhere in a quiet garage, a seemingly innocent Beetle now rockets to 60 mph quicker than a 911 GT3. I’ve driven a few ludicrous sleepers over the years, and the best part isn’t the time slip—it’s the moment the other lane hears the turbo gulp and realizes they’ve been had by a car with a vase on the dash.

Geely’s Starray EM-i PHEV just bagged a Guinness World Record with a catch, the sort that makes engineers nod and purists roll their eyes. Either way, it’s a billboard for how disciplined power management (and the right route) can wring startling efficiency out of a hybrid system.

London’s had it: tow first, ask questions later

London authorities are towing exotic cars belonging to foreign drivers who rack up fines and ignore them. If you’ve wandered around Knightsbridge late at night, you’ve heard the siren call of an 8000 rpm V12 on a quiet crescent. Fun for five minutes; less fun for residents. The new posture is simple: no exemptions, no excuses. If you’ve parked your Huayra like it’s a handbag, it might be gone by breakfast.

In praise of the simple roadster

Autocar’s long-haul take after 3000 miles in a Mazda MX-5 reads like a love letter to balance and restraint. I took an ND on a chilly dawn run earlier this year and it reminded me why light cars have such a grip on the soul. The heater’s strong, the roof goes down in one arm, and every roundabout turns into a conversation with the front axle. Summer toy? Nah. It’s a year-round antidote to overkill.

Wild video of the day

A small plane made an emergency landing on a busy highway and ended up on a car. Everyone walks away and you suddenly appreciate how calm good drivers can be when chaos drops out of the sky—literally. File under: things you can’t unsee and reasons to keep two hands on the wheel.

What it all means

• Policy is bending toward pragmatism: expect hybrids and PHEVs to carry more weight for longer.
• Pickups are the perfect PHEV gateway: daily EV, weekend workhorse.
• Luxury brands are recalibrating price ladders in new markets—Cadillac included.
• Car culture still delights in the extremes: ultra-limited GT3s, beach buggies, and sleepers that rewrite the pecking order.

Quick FAQs

• Is Europe still banning new petrol and diesel cars in 2035? A report says the ban has been axed; we’re watching for formal confirmation and what replaces it.
• Are EV incentives changing in Australia? The government is considering adjustments to eligibility and scope. If you’re buying in 2026, check the latest criteria.
• What’s a range-extended EV? An EV driven by electric motors with a small petrol engine acting as a generator. You plug it in, but long trips don’t hinge on fast chargers.
• Will the Kia Tasman PHEV actually tow? That’s the expectation. Final numbers will tell the story, but PHEV utes aim to match diesel practicality with electric smoothness.
• Why is the Mini Moke EV so expensive? Low-volume manufacturing and niche homologation drive costs up. You’re paying for the vibe as much as the vehicle.

Next week? I’m betting we’ll see more “middle-lane” solutions—cars that run electric when you want, petrol when you need, and don’t make your life revolve around a charger. Honestly, that sounds like progress.