Geely is preparing to expand its Australian electrified vehicle range, with the new MONJARO EM-i SUV and Emgrand L EM-i sedan heading on a national dealer roadshow ahead of their official launch in the first quarter of 2027.
The roadshow which began at Geely Deer Park in Victoria, will be travelling through the ACT, New South Wales, South Australia, Western Australia and Queensland. It will continue until January 2027, giving potential customers an opportunity to inspect preproduction versions of both vehicles.
For fleet buyers, the arrival of two additional plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) will provide more choice when considering lower-emission alternatives to traditional petrol vehicles, particularly for organisations that are not yet ready to transition entirely to battery electric vehicles.
Two new options for fleet buyers
The MONJARO EM-i is a five-seat plug-in hybrid SUV built on Geely’s GEA EVO platform. It features Continuously Controlled Damping (CCD) suspension and chassis tuning developed by Geely Technology Europe.
The SUV made its Australian debut at the Everything Electric Sydney show in September, following confirmation that it would join the local range.
Geely has also been promoting the vehicle’s performance credentials, including a recent Guinness World Records achievement for the fastest crossing of the Black and White Desert in the Sahara by a production plug-in hybrid SUV.
During the crossing, the vehicle completed challenges involving steep climbs, rough terrain, handling and acceleration at a low battery state of charge.
While these capabilities may not be essential for most fleet applications, they demonstrate Geely’s focus on positioning the MONJARO EM-i as a versatile SUV capable of operating in different driving environments.
Emgrand L EM-i offers more than 1,000km of driving range
The Emgrand L EM-i sedan could be particularly interesting for fleets seeking an electrified passenger vehicle with long-distance capability.
Geely’s first global PHEV sedan combines an 11-in-1 electric drive unit with a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine.
According to Geely, the powertrain delivers more than 1,000km of driving range, with the ability to operate in electric, hybrid or engine-first driving modes depending on conditions.
The electric drive unit primarily powers the wheels, providing an EV-like driving experience while retaining the flexibility of a petrol engine for longer journeys.
This combination could appeal to fleet operators managing vehicles across metropolitan and regional locations, where charging availability and daily travel requirements can vary considerably.
The sedan also offers a 528-litre boot, making it a potential option for business users requiring practical luggage capacity.
Geely says the vehicle will include a comprehensive range of active and passive safety features.
Plug-in hybrids provide another pathway to lower emissions
The introduction of the MONJARO EM-i and Emgrand L EM-i reflects the growing range of electrified powertrain options available to Australian fleet operators.
For organisations developing a long-term fleet transition strategy, PHEVs can provide an intermediate option where fully electric vehicles are not yet suitable for every application.
However, the environmental and operating cost benefits of plug-in hybrids depend heavily on how they are used.
Regular charging is essential to maximise electric driving and reduce petrol consumption. Fleet managers will therefore need to consider driver behaviour, charging access and daily travel patterns when evaluating these new models.
The arrival of another SUV and sedan will also increase competition in the Australian PHEV market, providing additional choices for fleet procurement teams.
