Unexpected parking lot scene in Australia prompts many to reconsider buying a Tesla or BYD

A new electric car spotted in a fast-food parking lot has given drivers another manufacturer to consider before switching to an electric vehicle.

More Australians are switching to electric vehicles, with 95,289 sold in the year to 30 June 2024.

Electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla has grown in popularity and topped the list for the most sales among drivers, followed by the Chinese company BYD.

However, another manufacturer is rivaling Tesla and BYD after making its way to Australian shores and piqued the interest of potential electric vehicle buyers.

Last week, Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Xpeng announced that the first deliveries of their G6 electric luxury SUV would begin in Australia by the end of June.

The first test vehicles – all with Victorian number plates – have already been spotted in Goulburn, NSW, with one spotted in a KFC car park.

Local Justin Wakefield shared a photo of the luxury SUV on the Electric Vehicles for Australia Facebook page.

Mr Wakefield was picking up his son from work when he came across the EV.

“Saw an Xpeng G6 in Goulburn last night. Very impressive! First RHD registered in Australia for now. Take care of them,” Mr Wakefield wrote.

Curious EV fans asked Mr Wakefield what the car looked like in person, to which he replied: “Very striking! It’s a very attractive looking unit.”

Others have argued that the arrival of the Xpeng G6 could prove to be stiff competition for already established brands Tesla and BYD.

“Well now it’s a dilemma BYD Sealion 7 or Xpeng G6… reviewers rave about Xpeng tech and suspension,” one person wrote.

“I think I prefer the aesthetics of the Sealion 7, but check out the reviews for both. Good to be spoiled for choice,” commented a second.

A third said: “Things are getting interesting with all these new choices coming up.”

Wakefield said he owns the Mitsubishi Exceed Tourer PHEV hybrid and explained that his next car purchase will be a BYD seal for his wife.

However, after seeing the Xpeng and talking to the representative, he paused on buying the BYD EV.

“I had never heard of Xpeng before. I spoke to the (representative) who was driving from Victoria to Sydney, he was only too happy to discuss it but didn’t mention the price,” Mr Wakefield said.

“I saw online that you can order one, but the price isn’t published until September. Looking at the specs and how attractive it looks, I would definitely consider one.

“Our next car for my wife was going to be a BYD Seal, but that gave us pause.”

Mr Wakefield added testing the Xpeng AWD Performance (LHD) model also created a “wait and see” approach to buying their first electric vehicle.

The Xpeng G6 is marketed as a luxury electric SUV and has been labeled as a “high-end” alternative to the Tesla Model Y.

While TrueEV is accepting online pre-orders for XPENG G6 models, the SUV won’t make its Australian market debut until September.

The Xpeng G6 includes two variants – a standard battery and a long battery – with an 800V Xpower electric drive system and rear-wheel drive.

The Standard model is powered by 190 kW, delivering up to 440 Nm of torque and has a driving range of 435 km.

The Long Range model has a larger battery with a maximum power of 210 kW and a range of up to 570 km.

With no official price tag yet, the Xpeng G6 will retail for less than $60,000, to put it on par with Australia’s market leader and best-selling electric vehicle, Tesla’s Model Y.

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