Geely Starray EM-i 2027 Upgrade: What PHEV Buyers Need to Know
The 2027 Geely Starray EM-i arrives in Australia with a bigger battery and more range — but does it qualify for novated lease FBT savings? Read on.
Geely Auto has updated its Starray EM-i plug-in hybrid SUV for the Australian market, bringing a larger battery option, more electric range, and a higher price tag for 2027 — according to the EVcentral report. If you've been watching the Chinese EV and PHEV market expand into Australia, this is another data point in that trend — more range, but not a cheap one.
The Starray EM-i sits in the mid-size SUV segment and is positioning itself as a practical family car with meaningful electric-only capability. That combination matters a lot if you're thinking about a novated lease — because the vehicle's fuel type directly determines how much FBT you pay, or whether you pay any at all.
What this means for novated lease customers
Here's where it gets important: PHEVs and fully electric vehicles are treated differently under Australia's FBT rules. The FBT exemption introduced for eligible zero or low-emission vehicles applies to battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs), but the PHEV exemption has a legislated end date — PHEVs need to have been under a qualifying novated lease before 1 April 2025 to retain the exemption going forward. New PHEV novated leases entered into after that date do not receive the full FBT exemption.
What that means practically: the 2027 Geely Starray EM-i, as a PHEV, would likely be subject to FBT under a new novated lease arrangement started today. That doesn't make novated leasing pointless for this vehicle — you still benefit from pre-tax salary packaging of the lease payments and running costs — but the tax treatment differs meaningfully from a fully electric vehicle. Potential savings exist, but they're not the same as what you'd see with a BEV. If you're weighing up the Starray EM-i against a BEV alternative, that difference is worth modelling before you sign anything.
Common questions
Does the Geely Starray EM-i qualify for the FBT exemption on a novated lease?
As a PHEV entered into a new lease after 1 April 2025, the Starray EM-i is unlikely to qualify for the full FBT exemption that applies to battery electric vehicles. You can still novated lease it, but FBT will generally apply — which changes the savings calculation significantly compared to a BEV.
Is a novated lease still worth it for a PHEV like the Starray EM-i?
Potentially, yes. Even without the FBT exemption, a novated lease bundles your car payments and running costs into pre-tax salary, which can still reduce your taxable income. The size of the benefit depends on your income, the vehicle price, and how much you drive — so run the numbers before committing.
What's the difference between a PHEV and a BEV for novated leasing purposes?
A BEV (battery electric vehicle) with no combustion engine currently attracts a full FBT exemption on eligible novated leases. A PHEV (plug-in hybrid) has both an electric motor and a petrol engine, and new PHEV leases entered after 1 April 2025 no longer qualify for that exemption.
Is the Geely Starray EM-i available in Australia now?
According to EVcentral, the updated 2027 model with the larger battery has been announced for Australia, but check with the importer for confirmed availability dates and final pricing before factoring it into a lease decision.
Can I novated lease a Chinese-brand vehicle like Geely?
Yes — the brand of the vehicle doesn't affect your ability to use a novated lease, as long as the vehicle meets the relevant criteria. What matters is the vehicle type, its value relative to the luxury car tax threshold, and the terms of your employer's salary packaging arrangement.