Is this the base for Australia's first EV motorhome?

Australia is yet to roll out its first production EV motorhome, but it's firmly on the cards now that two new EV platforms suitable for camper conversions are rolling into Aussie showrooms...

The first battery-electric van and truck models from Geely’s Farizon Auto commercial vehicle-maker have been unveiled in Australia, ahead of the new Chinese-built models’ official launch down under in early April.

Local distributor, Saudi Arabia-based Jameel Motors, took the wraps off the ground-breaking Farizon SuperVan (SV) cargo delivery van and H9E light-duty truck at a pre-launch preview in Melbourne in mid-February.

A rival for Ford’s E-Transit and LDV’s eDeliver 7, the Farizon SV will be available locally in three variants, all powered by an 83kWh battery, including two low-roof SWB and LWB models, and a LWB high-roof variant.

Full details have yet to be revealed but rear storage capacity will range from 6.95 cubic metres to 11.22 cubic metres, depending on the variant. The Farizon SV should also measure in between 4990mm to 5995mm long, 1980mm wide, and 1980mm to 2500mm tall, while featuring a generous wheelbase that will stretch from 3100mm to 3850mm.

Payload is likely to max out at 1800kg, with an expected gross vehicle mass across the range of 3500kg.

According to Jameel Motors Australia General Manager Charles Lin, the entry-level SWB SV van boasts a best-in-class range of 376km on the WLTP test cycle, along with a charge time of 26 minutes to take its CATL 83kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery from 10 to 80 per cent with Type 2 Fast Charging (or nine hours from 5 to 100 per cent with 7kWh AC charging).

Built on a dedicated modular EV platform, the Farizon SV also offers a first-in-segment drive-by-wire architecture and a sliding side-door with hidden B-pillar, plus a weight monitoring system that allows payload weight monitoring from the driver’s seat.

Stepping through the 270-degree opening rear barn doors provides access to three powerpoints in the cargo space, allowing owners and operators to take advantage of the SV’s vehicle-to-load (V2L) functionality and use the van to power electrical items like laptops or battery-powered drills.

Mr Lin said the Farizon SV will come standard with 30 safety features, including braking and driving assistance, while other segment firsts include a 12.3in LCD touch-screen with 360-degree camera and Apple CarPlay, and ventilated and heated front seats.

Mr Lin said Farizon SV pricing will be “very competitive”, and is expected to start at under $70,000 for the SWB variant.

Meawnhile, the new Farizon H9E light-duty truck will be available in three variants: an H9E 4.5-tonne truck with standard wheelbase and 100kWh battery, and a larger 8.0-tonne model with either SWB platform and 107kWh battery or a LWB variant with 162kWh battery.

The Farizon H9E 8.0-tonne LWB truck boasts a best-in-class 350km-plus range on the WLTP test cycle, with a charge time of less than one hour to take the CATL 162kWh LFP battery on the top-spec model from 20 to 80 per cent using Type 2 fast charging.

The Farizon H9E truck also comes with a number of active driver safety features as well as dual airbags, 360-degree camera, and automatic collision shutdown. Anti-theft features include remote locking and smart ‘theft’ sensors, while the “modern high quality” cabin comes equipped with Apple CarPlay, air conditioning, ample storage space and seating for up to three people.

Both cab-chassis truck and delivery van variants are designed to suit a range of commercial applications and rear body conversions, including RV applications with campervan conversions of high-roof SV vans already hitting the road in China.

The vehicles have been extensively tested to withstand all weather conditions, while the Farizon SV van was awarded the top Platinum Euro NCAP rating for safety.

The official launch of Farizon Commercial Vehicles in Australia will take place at the 2025 Melbourne Motor Show at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre on April 5-6. The Farizon vehicles will also be on display at the 2025 Sydney Everything Electric Show (March 7-9), and Jameel Motors Australia plans to have a nationwide dealer network in place prior to the Australian launch.

The local launch of Geely Farizon coincides with parent Geely’s arrival in Australia with the Geely EX5 SUV passenger vehicle. The two new brands will join fellow Geely-owned Lotus, Polestar, Smart, Volvo and Zeekr.

As well as Geely Farizon in Australia, Jameel Motors represents other prominent auto brands including Toyota, Lexus and BYD in overseas markets including Turkey, Morocco, Egypt, Algeria, and Japan.