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The evolution of electric vehicles

With automotive technology advancement going full speed ahead, the car of the future is always just around the corner. So, what’s next in vehicle tech? Buckle up and find out.
3 min read
Published 23 Jan, 2025

As more makes and models hit the market, electric vehicles (EVs) are quickly gaining popularity as an alternative to petrol-powered vehicles. As well as ticking the boxes for improved efficiency and sustainability, EVs are loaded with a lot of impressive tech and features.

New cars coming on the market in 2025 are no exception. We’re looking forward to test-driving Kia’s more compact SUV the EV3, the sleek and smart Polestar 5 and the Xpeng G6, which promises lower weight for longer range. The Peugeot e-3008 is also a standout for its head-turning design and the BYD Sealion 7 is a strong contender in the hotly contested mid-size electric SUV category. All of these new models (and more) will be available to try on an AGL EV subscription, if you’re looking at making the switch.  

Leading the race

Drivers’ trust in EVs has grown dramatically in recent years, thanks to the massive investment by car makers to combat obstacles like range anxiety and safety concerns. This includes well-known brands like BMW, Volvo and Kia, and newer players like BYD. 

On the infrastructure side, the Federal Government’s Driving the Nation Fund has allocated $500 million to invest in cheaper and cleaner transport. This includes expanding the public and smart charging network across Australia. 

Read our latest articles about charging an EV at home, work and all the stops along the way to find out more.

Charging into the future

More than 30 per cent of Australian households now have rooftop solar PV, so it makes sense to want to charge your EV using solar energy. And you can with AGL’s range of EV chargers. These smart chargers have different features, including drawing on solar energy, switching to grid power and running on a set schedule to make the most of discounts and night charging. 

Another recent advancement in EV battery technology is bi-directional charging. This means you can take energy stored in your car battery and use it in your home during peak hours. Essentially, you’re using stored energy when power is most expensive, and charging back up when it’s cheaper. You can read more about it in this article. 

With contactless charging technology widespread for phones and other smaller devices, companies around the world are developing  wireless charging for electric cars. Making a simple process even simpler, the charging unit is embedded into the ground and you just drive over it and park. The smart technology does the rest of the work. This tech hasn’t made its way to Australia yet, but with government and private investment, plans are in the works.  

Driverless technology

The technology behind autonomous vehicles and self-driving is continuing to progress. But on the road today, we’re seeing driver-assist technology becoming common in new car models. This includes features like parking assist technology, emergency braking and lane correction. 

A more recent advancement is smart windscreens that include an augmented-reality overlay. This overlay works with smart technology to project information you’d usually look down at your dashboard for. This includes your speed and navigation directions – the idea is to keep your eyes on the road. 

New tech is the key 

While most new cars have keyless entry and start, the key in your pocket may soon be replaced with a thumbprint or an app on your phone. Introduced in cars by Hyundai in 2019, fingerprint technology also keeps a biometric log of who is driving a car and offers the ability to deactivate it remotely. There are also digital car keys that allow you to unlock, lock and start your car with your phone. This tech can be found in specific car brand apps, but look out for Apple car key, which allows smartphone users to add their digital car key to their phone’s digital wallet. There is also an option to share this digital key with others. 

​​With EV and petrol car technology racing ahead faster than ever, our driving experience is geared up for future change. Whether it’s fuel source, security or connectivity, getting from A to B is smarter than ever before.​

Is an electric car the right choice for you?

Keep reading to discover the benefits of owning an electric car.

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