The electric vehicle market in Australia and New Zealand is changing faster than ever.
In this episode of EV Quest, Adrian Maidment is joined by Carloop founder and EV industry analyst Riz Akhtar to explore the biggest trends reshaping the automotive industry. They discuss BYD's rapid growth, why Chinese manufacturers are dominating the EV market, whether Toyota and other legacy brands can fight back, and what falling prices mean for buyers.
They also cover:
- Fiat pausing EV sales in Australia and New Zealand
- Tesla Cybercab spotted testing in New Zealand
- New EV launches from Xpeng, Geely, BMW and Mercedes-Benz
- The future of charging infrastructure
Links mentioned in this episode
- Carloop: https://carloop.com.au
- ABC article: How China Won the Car Wars with Cheap EVs Loaded with Technology https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-24/china-dominates-ev-market/106951586
- AFR article: Too Late: Toyota Scrambles to Repel BYD's Local Surge https://www.afr.com/companies/transport/too-late-toyota-scrambles-to-repel-byd-s-local-surge-20260714-p60fab
What is EV QUEST?
EV Quest is the electric vehicle podcast for New Zealand, Australia and beyond. Hosted by Adrian Maidment in New Zealand, and joined regularly by Riz Akhtar from Carloop, EV Quest delivers the latest EV news, reviews and industry insights from across New Zealand, Australia and the global EV market.
Each week you’ll hear conversations about electric cars, charging infrastructure, EV ownership and the future of sustainable mobility.
From interviews with EV industry leaders to reviews of the newest electric vehicles, EV Quest keeps you connected to the fast-changing world of electric transport.