Car news today: BYD’s ultra-fast charging to outpunch Tesla, Peugeot 5008 pricing and specs revealed, and more – 18 March 2025

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Thanks for joining us this Tuesday, March 18th 2025. Notably in car news today: BYD’s new ultra-rapid fast charging promises 400 kilometres of driving range with a five-minute charge, Peugeot 5008 pricing and specs lob, and more.

Browse this issue:

• BYD charger promises 400km of range in 5 minutes
• Peugeot 5008 price and specs revealed
• Honda could source Toyota hybrid batteries to dodge US import tariffs   
• Jac T9 EV debuts in Singapore

• Reviewed: 2025 Zeekr 009 

BYD charger promises 400km of range in 5 minutes

• BYD has unveiled new class-leading 10C megawatt charging stations, which can rapid-charge vehicles with up to 1000-volt systems. At peak charging, “Megawatt Flash Chargers” deliver two kilometres of range per second, or a circa-400km of charge in just five minutes. 

• BYD chairman Wang Chuanfu has pledged to construct over 4000 megawatt-chargers across China. This announcement comes after BYD launched two models built on the new ‘Super e-Platform’ offering 1000V architecture.
  

• During live testing in China, BYD’s 1mW charger achieved peak charging power after 10 seconds, and charged the company’s Tang L EV battery from seven to 50 percent in 4.5 minutes.

• It is unclear if or when BYD’s industry-leading 1000W chargers will be established in Australia. Currently, Tesla’s 350W V4 Supercharger leads the pack for Australian charging infrastructure, with a 500W update on the way.

Peugeot 5008 price and specs revealed

• Peugeot’s new 5008 seven-seater SUV will be coming to Australia later this year, with a starting price of $55,990 before on-road costs. The new model is based on the 3008, which went on sale late last year. 

• The 5008 will be offered as a mild hybrid, powered mainly by a 1.2-litre turbo-petrol three-cylinder producing 100kW/230Nm, and mated to a six-speed dual-clutch automatic.

• The main rivals of the front-wheel-drive 5008 will be other mild-hybrid seven-seat SUVs, including the $55,500 Hyundai Santa Fe FWD, $62,480 Toyota Kluger GX AWD, and $50,765 Nissan X-Trail ST-L E-Power AWD.
  
• Last year, Peugeot sold 1,896 cars in Australia, with the 3008 being the most popular private-use vehicle sold (365 units).

Jac T9 EV ute debuts in Singapore

• JAC Group has pulled the sheets off its all-electric version of the T9 ute, which was unveiled recently in Singapore. 

• The T9 EV features an 88kWh lithium iron phosphate battery in a dual-electric motor format, with a range claim of a frankly unmarkable 340km (WLTP).
  

• The new electric model is quite a porker, with an advertised gross vehicle weight of 3,260kg – about the same weight as two Toyota RAV4s combined. 

• It has not yet been decided if the T9 EV will come to Australia. Currently, the only fully electric ute on sale nationally is the LDV ET60, priced from $92,990 before on-road costs. 

Honda could source Toyota hybrid batteries to dodge US import tariffs  

• A report out of the US claims that Honda America is seeking a deal to source hybrid-spec batteries for its domestic models from arch-rival Toyota in order to circumvent emerging US import tariffs. 
  
• According to Nikkei, via Automotive News, the Toyota Motor North America’s upcoming $US13.9-billion battery complex, in North Carolina, could produce batteries for all of Honda’s domestic hybrid production from mid-2025.
  

• While Toyota’s US arm refuses to confirm the mooted co-op, the mutually beneficial deal in the face of stiff import tariff could potentially bear fruit as early as mid this year, despite the fact the battery complex isn’t projected to be fully operational until 2028.   
  
• The 30 giga-watt-per-hour factory, which will produce batteries for Toyota’s US-made self-charging, PHEV and electric vehicles, is said to be capable of the added production volume demanded by Honda, or enough supply for Honda 400,000 vehicles.

Zeekr 009 reviewed

• Chasing Cars contributor Iain Curry’s review of the electric 2025 Zeekr 009 7-Seat was published, including his impression from behind the wheel and being chauffeured as a passenger.
  
• Curry remarked on the indulgent levels of luxury and tech in the futuristic electric Chinese MPV, as well as its striking exterior design and gamut of fun features.
  

• However, Curry questioned some of the packaging decisions with the cabin design, leaving the second-row accommodation compromised as a four-seater, and boot space limited as a seven-seater.
  
• Overall, Curry was quite impressed with the second model on offer from market newcomer Zeekr, calling the 009 good value despite its $136K price tag (before on-roads).

READ: Zeekr 009 2025 review

WATCH: Chasing Cars Zeekr Reviews

The next issue of Car News Today will be published on Wednesday 19th March at 4.30pm Sydney time.