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Hyundai Just Teased Its Largest EV Yet, But It Might Not Be So New

  • Hyundai will debut a new model in Brussels on January 9.
  • Its “biggest EV yet” is likely based on the Staria minivan.
  • The electric version could join the refreshed Staria lineup.

Hyundai is gearing up to unveil what it calls “the world premiere of its biggest EV yet” at the Brussels Motor Show on January 9. Billed as a major new entry in the company’s global lineup, the model is expected to go larger than the Ioniq 9 crossover, although for now, that’s just about all Hyundai is officially saying.

A single teaser image provides the only visual clue. Still, it strongly suggests what many have already guessed: an all-electric version of the futuristic-looking Staria minivan.

More: Hyundai Gave Its Futuristic Minivan A Makeover Where It Matters Most

Just last week, Hyundai revealed a facelifted Staria with modest design tweaks, upgraded chassis components, and larger interior screens. The silhouette in the teaser closely matches this refreshed gas-powered version, reinforcing the theory that the EV shares its roots with the Staria platform.

If so, the upcoming reveal in Europe will mark the first public debut of the Staria Electric, roughly a year after a prototype was spotted in South Korea.

Built for High-Voltage Power

 Hyundai Just Teased Its Largest EV Yet, But It Might Not Be So New
The official teaser for Hyundai’s “biggest EV yet” (above) compared to earlier spy shots of the upcoming Staria Electric (below).
 Hyundai Just Teased Its Largest EV Yet, But It Might Not Be So New
Credit: Clien

Hyundai isn’t starting from scratch here. The Staria-based Iveco eMoovy has already confirmed the platform’s compatibility with electric drivetrains. That light commercial vehicle uses a single electric motor rated at 215 hp (160 kW / 218 PS), paired with either a 63 kWh or 76 kWh battery pack.

While Hyundai hasn’t detailed the technical specs for its own version, it has confirmed that the model will showcase “state-of-the-art electric technology, including an advanced 800-volt charging system.”

The same 800V setup already appears in the eMoovy, allowing it to gain 100 km (62 miles) of range in just ten minutes when using a 350 kW charger. If Hyundai retains this architecture, it could give the Staria EV a significant edge in both fleet and family use.

More: Hyundai’s Staria Is Getting The EV Powertrain Its Futuristic Face Always Deserved

Visually, the electric Staria is expected to carry over several elements from the recently refreshed combustion version, including the full-width LED light bar. A previously seen prototype also revealed a few EV-specific touches, including a new front bumper design with an integrated charging port and what appeared to be custom wheels unique to the electric model.

Hyundai hasn’t confirmed which markets will receive the electric Staria, but if it follows the footprint of the gas-powered model, North America is likely to miss out.

What Else Is Hyundai Bringing To Brussels?

 Hyundai Just Teased Its Largest EV Yet, But It Might Not Be So New

Beyond the headline debut of its largest EV to date, Hyundai’s stand in Brussels will also include the facelifted Ioniq 6 sedan. Enthusiasts will find a dedicated N Zone showcasing the performance-tuned Ioniq 5 N and Ioniq 6 N models. Adding a dose of concept flair, Hyundai will also present the Insteroid, a gaming-inspired concept based on the compact Inster.

During the press conference, Raf Van Nuffel, Vice President of Product at Hyundai Motor Europe, will share more information about the new model and the company’s EV portfolio in 2026.

“he Brussels Motor Show continues to be an important platform for us to highlight how our electric products and technologies are evolving for European customers,” said Van Nuffel. “Hyundai welcomes the event’s strong focus on electrification, which reflects the technological progress shaping sustainable transportation in the region.”

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Hyundai

This Tiny Truck Is Genuinely Happy To See You

  • CAM EV Microvan is Malaysia’s happiest LCV with playful decals.
  • It’s a rebadged Nextem Vaquita from Hong Kong with a smile.
  • Just 1.2 m / 48 in. wide, it offers flexible cargo configurations.

Small cars often wear cute faces to win us over, but some go all-in with the gimmick. That’s exactly the case with the CAM EV Microvan, a tiny electric cargo hauler built for squeezing through tight city streets with a smile on its face. Literally.

Recently unveiled at a show in Malaysia, the CAM EV Microvan is a rebranded version of the Nextem Vaquita from Hong Kong. Aside from a new badge, the most noticeable change is a set of cheerful stickers, transforming it into what might be the happiest delivery van on the planet.

Cartoon Cues and Branding Tricks

The design tweaks are minimal, limited to a grinning mouth on the charging port and cartoon-style eyelashes over the headlights. It’s unclear whether these decals will be offered as factory options or left up to owners with a roll of vinyl, but they’re a clever bit of theater on an otherwise utilitarian platform.

More: Trump Saw These “Really Cute” Cars In Japan And Now Wants Them On US Roads

If you’re curious about the name, Vaquita refers to a type of porpoise, one that’s critically endangered, with fewer than ten left in the wild, according to Wikipedia. Why a commercial van is named after a marine animal on the brink of extinction is anyone’s guess, but sure, let’s go with it.

The LCV itself is pitched as a low-cost, low-maintenance option aimed at small businesses that don’t mind a little existential irony with their deliveries.

The Specifications

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CAM EV

In terms of dimensions, the EV measures 3,695 mm (145.5 inches) in length and just 1,220 mm (48 inches) in width. Inside, it’s strictly business: a central driving position, a single seat, a very basic dashboard, and plenty of hard plastics that prioritize practicality over comfort.

More: Renault’s Smallest And Quirkiest EV Is Dead

Where it gets interesting is the rear. The Microvan can be configured as a box van, pickup, garbage truck, sweeper, coffee truck, and more. Depending on the configuration, cargo volume reaches up to 2.8 cubic meters (99 cubic feet), with a maximum payload of 630 kg (1,390 pounds).

Power comes from a single electric motor driving the rear wheels. Top speed is capped at 80 km/h (50 mph), while the 15.97 kWh battery delivers an estimated 150 km (93 miles) of range per charge.

 This Tiny Truck Is Genuinely Happy To See You
Different versions of the Nextem Vaquita for professional use.

According to Paultan, the market launch of the CAM EV Microvan in Malaysia is scheduled for the second quarter of 2026.

Pricing is expected to start around 65,000 Malaysian Ringgit, or approximately $15,900 at current exchange rates. That’s not exactly bargain-bin territory for a vehicle of this size, which means the smiling decals may have to work overtime to win over budget-conscious buyers.

Beyond Malaysia, the Nextem Vaquita is expected to enter markets in Hong Kong, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Portugal.

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Nextem e-Moblity Limited

Aussies Can Finally Buy A Rivian, But Good Luck Driving It

  • MEVCO’s Rivian R1T trucks will be auctioned in Australia after bankruptcy.
  • Some models were modified for mining, adding bull bars and extra gear.
  • Left-hand-drive Rivians can’t be legally registered for Australian roads.

Australia has long been a stronghold for pickup trucks, but Rivian’s all-electric lineup remains out of reach for local buyers. For now, at least. Without any right-hand-drive models in its range, the American EV maker hasn’t officially broken into the Australian market.

More: Rivian Is Getting Bigger But Its Service Workforce Is Getting Smaller

That could shift in a roundabout fashion, courtesy of a batch of Rivian R1T trucks that ended up stranded Down Under. They might soon be offered to the public. Just one small hitch; you can’t legally drive them on the road, which tends to put a dent in the whole ownership experience.

How Did They Get Here?

 Aussies Can Finally Buy A Rivian, But Good Luck Driving It

So, how did a bunch of Rivianland in Australia in the first place? The short answer is MEVCO, a Perth-based startup launched in 2022 with plans to supply fully electric light commercial vehicles to the mining sector.

The company purchased 13 Rivian R1Ts in 2024 for local trials, alongside three electric Toyota Hilux utes converted by SEA Electric. But MEVCO’s ambitions didn’t last. After struggling to raise funds and drowning in debt, the company collapsed into administration in September 2025.

As part of the liquidation, the entire fleet is now heading to auction. The Rivians will be sold through Grays Auctions in Western Australia, giving local EV enthusiasts a rare chance to pick up one of the U.S.-built trucks, if they can live with some serious restrictions.

Can You Actually Use One?

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MEVCO via Drive.com.au

Under Australian law, left-hand-drive vehicles can only be registered for road use if they’re over 30 years old. There are limited exemptions for rare imports, but as these Rivians are mass-produced, they likely won’t qualify.

That means buyers will be confined to using them on private property, think farms, mine sites, remote tracks, or driveways outside the public road network.

More: Rivian CEO Gets A Musk-Style Pay Deal, But Minus A Few Zeros

Technically, converting them to right-hand drive could make them street legal, but that’s not a cheap process.

As reported by Australian outlet Drive.com.au, which broke the story, the Rivians will go under the hammer in Western Australia through Grays Auctions.

 Aussies Can Finally Buy A Rivian, But Good Luck Driving It

The Rivians in MEVCO’s fleet are second-generation models equipped with dual electric motors, with several adapted for use in Australian mining operations.

Press photos show a range of added gear, including a bull bar, sports bar, Kevlar underbody protection, wiring harnesses for auxiliary equipment, and a custom sliding drawer mounted behind the cabin.

Michael Fernandes, State Operations Manager for Grays Auctions in WA, told Drive.com.au, “We’re currently working closely with the administrator and completing our legal and compliance due diligence to ensure that when these vehicles hit the open market, ownership will pass to buyers as smoothly as these vehicles drive.”

He added that more details about the auction sale would be made available once the formal process allows.

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