JAC Hunter PHEV Ute: What It Means for Your Novated Lease
Australia's cheapest PHEV ute is here from $49,988 drive-away. Here's what PAYG employees need to know about novated leasing the 2026 JAC Hunter.
The 2026 JAC Hunter PHEV has been officially priced from $49,988 plus on-road costs, making it the cheapest plug-in hybrid ute on sale in Australia right now. That puts it squarely below the BYD Shark 6 and GWM Cannon Alpha — two vehicles that have already attracted strong interest from novated lease customers (EVcentral AU).
If you're a PAYG employee who's been watching the PHEV ute segment, this is worth paying attention to. A lower drive-away price generally means a lower novated lease cost — and for a vehicle that qualifies under the FBT exemption for eligible plug-in hybrids, that combination can produce meaningful tax savings.
What this means for novated lease customers
PHEVs occupy a specific position under Australia's current FBT rules. Under the Treasury Laws Amendment (Electric Car Discount) Act, battery electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles can qualify for FBT exemption — but the PHEV exemption window is time-limited. PHEVs must have been first held and used under a novated lease before 1 April 2025 to retain the exemption on an ongoing basis. New PHEV leases entered into after that date do not qualify for the FBT exemption. This is a critical detail the industry doesn't always make clear.
What that means practically: the JAC Hunter, priced competitively and launching in 2026, would not attract the FBT exemption for most new leases. You'd be leasing it under standard FBT treatment, which still delivers pre-tax salary packaging benefits — just not the full exemption available to BEVs. That's not a dealbreaker, but it's the honest picture. Anyone quoting you 'massive FBT savings' on a new PHEV lease in 2026 deserves a follow-up question.
Common questions
Is the JAC Hunter PHEV eligible for the FBT exemption?
For new novated leases entered into after 1 April 2025, no. The FBT exemption for PHEVs only applies where the vehicle was first held and used under a qualifying lease before that date. The JAC Hunter launches in 2026, so new leases will be subject to standard FBT treatment.
Can I still get tax benefits novating a JAC Hunter PHEV?
Yes. Even without the FBT exemption, a novated lease still lets you pay for the vehicle and many running costs from your pre-tax salary. You reduce your taxable income, which means potential savings — just not at the same level as an exempt BEV.
How does the JAC Hunter compare to the BYD Shark 6 or GWM Cannon Alpha for a novated lease?
The JAC Hunter's lower entry price is its main advantage. Neither the Shark 6 nor the Hunter qualify for PHEV FBT exemption on new leases, so the comparison comes down to vehicle price, residual value, and running costs. A lower drive-away price generally produces a lower base lease cost, all else equal.
What is the JAC Hunter priced from?
According to EVcentral AU, the 2026 JAC Hunter PHEV is priced from $49,988 plus on-road costs, making it the cheapest PHEV ute currently confirmed for the Australian market.
Would a BEV ute be better for FBT purposes?
If FBT exemption is a priority, a fully battery electric vehicle (BEV) — where one exists in the ute segment — will outperform a PHEV under current rules. There are limited BEV ute options in Australia right now, but the segment is growing. Talk to us and we'll run the numbers for your situation.