Plug-In

Mercedes-Benz has detailed its plans for an electric future, which will see the iconic German brand be "ready to go all-electric" in 2030 "where market conditions allow". Announced overnight, the new strategy sees an acceleration of Mercedes-Benz's electric vehicle (EV) plans, with plug-in hybrid and all-electric vehicles now set to account for 50 per cent of global sales, up from the 25 per cent target previously announced.

Petrol-electric plug-in hybrid power is coming to the Toyota HiAce van, according to news reports out of Japan. The website Spyder7 claims a revised version of the latest generation of Toyota's HiAce van launched in Australia in 2019 will be unveiled in Japan in 2022, bringing with it the option of plug-in hybrid petrol power to sell alongside the diesel.

Ferrari has unveiled the first V6-powered model it has developed in nearly half a century, the 2022 Ferrari 296 GTB – and it's a hybrid. Unveiled online overnight, the 296 GTB is the first car developed by the Ferrari brand to employ a V6 in nearly 50 years – and the first to ever wear the Prancing Horse logo, given the 246 GT of 1974 was badged as a Dino.

Australian pricing and specifications for the 2021 Kia Niro have been confirmed, with the vehicle on sale now. The full range of three electrified powertrains – Hybrid, Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) and (fully) Electric – will be offered in Kia's eco-friendly Niro small SUV locally, which arrives in Australian showrooms late into its life cycle, as a new model is expected to be less than two years away.

The Ford Escape plug-in hybrid’s showroom debut has been pushed back to early next year, however its arrival will likely start the local rollout of other Ford electric cars. Ford Australia originally planned to launch the Ford Escape PHEV (which stands for plug-in hybrid electric vehicle) by the end of this year but delays throughout the COVID-19 pandemic have pushed back its arrival.