The Australian EV market is only just getting warmed up. If you’ve seen the sales curve lately, it’s less a gentle incline and more a ski jump in reverse. EVs aren’t going anywhere — in fact, they’re multiplying. Fast.

And honestly? It’s about time. Because for many Australians, the great family outing is practically a cultural rite of passage.

I grew up in Perth, and like many Perth kids, my childhood was measured in kilometers between home and Margaret River. Every year  we’d pile into our people mover and brave the roasting cabin temperatures of plus-30° summer days. The car was supposedly designed for seven, but once you add five kids, a week’s worth of luggage, and any topic that was debatable, you would get a pretty

There were always smears of… something… on the back seats. The kind of unidentifiable substances that made you wonder whether forensic analysis would help or just frighten you more. I’d sit there, holding my breath, hoping the car wouldn’t actually combust or that no one would provoke a diplomatic incident that forced my parents to consider emergency roadside abandonment.

But then – every time – we’d arrive. The discomfort melted away. The trip was worth it, but God, it never felt like it in the moment.

That’s the thing, though: family travel doesn’t have to be a test of physical and emotional endurance anymore. The future of mobility isn’t just about getting from A to B; it’s about comfort, calm, and even a little reflection. And the incoming wave of electric people movers is an outright redefinition of what that family trip can be.

These aren’t modern art pieces masquerading as seven-seaters. They’re legitimately spacious, genuinely practical, and designed from the ground up for real families — messy, loud, chaotic families — like mine. And maybe yours.

And 2026? That’s the year they truly land.

We’re about to see a flood of high-tech, long-range MPVs from Asia and Europe that finally give Aussies the choice they’ve been waiting for. Affordable haulers. Luxury lounges. Modular commercial-family hybrids. So let’s break down the big ones.

Zeekr 009

The Zeekr 009 isn’t just another electric people mover — it’s the undisputed king of electric luxury MPVs and, frankly, the boldest threat Mercedes-Benz has faced in this segment since the EQV first rolled out. Geely’s premium arm has essentially taken the MPV blueprint, cranked it to 11, then electrified everything from comfort to performance.

Why This Matters:

• 6- or 7-seat flexibility
  Choose between executive 6-seat luxury or a family-friendly 7-seat layout, both offering genuinely huge space and premium finishes.

• Potential 600+ km WLTP range (projected for the 2026 update)
  Early indicators suggest the refreshed base model will push past the 600 km mark — a huge leap for large EV people movers.

• Wild performance for its size
  Dual-motor power, instant torque, and acceleration that simply shouldn’t belong in a vehicle shaped like a high-end penthouse.

• Top-tier luxury cabin
  Nappa leather, oversized displays, multi-zone climate control, second-row executive seating, and active noise cancellation — all combining for a true lounge-level experience.

• Tech that leans toward “future flagship,” not “family van”
  From advanced driver assistance to ultra-smooth ride quality, the 009 feels more like a luxury EV statement piece than a mere people mover.

Who It’s For:
For the buyer who wants to arrive in silence, comfort, and unmistakable style — and who’s perfectly happy reminding the world that the luxury EV game is no longer dominated solely by Germany. The Zeekr 009 is for those who want their people mover to feel like a rolling first-class cabin rather than just transport.

XPeng X9

Where futurism meets functionality, the XPeng X9 reimagines what an electric people mover can be. It blends sleek, sci-fi design cues with genuinely clever engineering — the kind that makes everyday family logistics feel like operating a high-end gadget rather than a bulky van. If the Zeekr 009 is the luxury lounge, the X9 is the tech enthusiast’s dream lab on wheels.

Why It Matters:

• Confirmed for Australia in mid-2026
  XPeng’s official timeline puts the X9 squarely in the next wave of advanced EVs slated for the Australian market — and one of the most anticipated.

• 800-volt architecture for ultra-fast charging
  Higher-voltage systems are still rare in people movers, and the X9’s setup should allow seriously rapid top-ups — ideal for long trips or tight schedules.

• A high-tech interior built around true comfort
  Reclining, massaging second-row captain’s chairs take centre stage, supported by crisp displays, premium materials, and XPeng’s signature software polish.

• Rear-axle steering for city-friendly manoeuvring
  Tight parking spots and narrow suburban streets suddenly become far less intimidating, with agility that shouldn’t be possible in a vehicle this size.

• XPeng’s innovation-first approach
  From its aerodynamic silhouette to its advanced driver assistance systems, the X9 leans fully into XPeng’s identity as a brand that experiments intelligently — often ahead of the curve.

Who It’s For:
Tech-forward families who want a people mover that doesn’t feel like a compromise. The ones who appreciate a cabin full of clever comforts, a chassis that handles more like a sporty hatchback than a seven-seater, and charging speeds that look like they’re trying to set a new record.

Kia PV5

Kia’s PV5 is the brand’s first real step into the era of modular electric people movers — a purpose-built EV designed not just for families, but for flexibility. With PBV architecture at its core, the PV5 is less “minivan” and more “adaptive electric platform,” able to morph between private transport, shuttle duties, rideshare needs, and family-hauler simplicity. It’s Kia’s most future-facing interpretation of practicality yet.

Why It Matters:

• Part of Kia’s all-new PBV modular platform
  The PV5 will debut Kia’s “Platform Beyond Vehicle” concept — meaning interchangeable modules, configurable cabins, and layouts that can serve business, community, or family roles with minimal re-engineering.

• Targeted for Australian launch in 2026
  Early timelines put the PV5 right in the next major EV wave, making it one of the country’s first true purpose-built electric people movers.

• Multi-body configurations
  Expect versions include family MPV, high-roof shuttle, a commercial variant, and rideshare-optimization.

• Fast-charging and reliable Kia EV tech
  Anticipated 400–800 volt charging options depending on variant, delivering quick turnarounds for families and commercial operators alike.

• Interior focused on usability and space
  Flat floor, expansive windows, large sliding doors, and a cabin that trades luxury excess for intelligent ergonomics and flexible seating.

• Designed with autonomy in mind
  The PV5 will be one of Kia’s first vehicles engineered for Level 4-capable use cases down the line, with advanced sensors and software baked in from day one.

Who It’s For:
Families, businesses, or anyone who wants a people mover that’s built for versatility rather than status. The PV5 is for drivers who value modularity, practicality, and future-proof design — the kind who appreciate an EV that’s been purpose-built for real-world use, not just electrified after the fact.

The Next Era

The era of the electric family bus hasn’t just arrived — it’s changed the game. For years, Aussies have put up with people movers that felt like compromises: hot, cramped, noisy, and thirsty. But 2026 isn’t offering small improvements; it’s delivering a total reset.

The next generation of EV people movers transforms the family road trip from something you “get through” into something you might actually look forward to. No more boiling cabins, no more mystery stains threatening rebellion, no more counting down kilometres with gritted teeth. Instead: cool cabins, quiet drivetrains, real space, real comfort, and fast charging that fits neatly between coffee stops.

This isn’t just a new type of car — it’s a new type of family travel.

And that’s a future worth being genuinely excited about.