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The fully-electric Geely Farizon SV passenger van from China is expanding into new markets with the steering wheel on the same side as ours, but Australia cannot benefit yet.
Electric Cars
Farizon, the commercial vehicle arm of Chinese automotive giant Geely, has released a seven-seat passenger variant of its full-electric SV van for the taxi market, and a multi-passenger ‘crew van’ with five- or six-seats for combination use.
Both models, unveiled at the 2025 Hong Kong Auto Expo earlier this month, have been developed for right-hand-drive markets, but Australia isn’t one of them. Not yet, at least.
The Geely Farizon SV (Supervan) is available in Australia as a fully-electric commercial van in both short and long wheelbases, the latter with a choice of low and high roof. The Farizon SV competes in the same vehicle class as the Toyota HiAce and LDV Deliver 7.
Prices start from $71,490 before options and on-road costs for a short-wheelbase, low-roof SV, that has a 170kW electric motor and 83kWh battery for a claimed driving range of 376km.
The newly revealed passenger variant has seven seats in taxi specification (two-two-three configuration) as well as a 630-litre cargo area that is large enough to fit up to six large suitcases.
As a ‘crew van’, the Farizon SV Combi can be configured with either two-plus-three or three-plus-three seating, along with a generous load area for cargo.
Passenger access for both variants is made more comfortable due to the van’s 'hidden' B-pillar and low cabin step design.
When closed, the front passenger door forms the vertical strength point for side impact protection, but when open allows unhindered access to the side of the van and rear compartment.
Geely is no stranger to the taxi market, as the Chinese brand owns and builds the iconic ‘London Taxi’ in the UK as the LEVC TX plug-in-hybrid.
While the passenger variants of the Farizon SV were both shown as right-hand-drive examples and are supported by a Hong Kong taxi company placing 1000 initial orders for the electric taxi, there are no immediate plans to introduce the passenger variant to the Australian market.
Speaking with Drive, Charles Lin, Business Development Director of Jameel Motors Australia (Farizon Australia importer and distributor) said “there are no immediate plans to offer any passenger variant of the SV in the Australian market.
“This is due to the stringent occupant protection regulations of passenger vehicles here, despite being a RHD [right-hand-drive] market like Hong Kong.”
“Nevertheless, we are actively looking for opportunities to offer such a variant if it presents itself.”
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With over 20 years of experience in digital publishing, James Ward has worked within the automotive landscape since 2007 and brings experience from the publishing, manufacturer and lifestyle side of the industry together to spearhead Drive's multi-media content direction.
