One EV sold every 100 seconds: More electric cars to hit Australia’s roads

Every 100 seconds, an electric vehicle (EV) is being sold in Australia, according to the Electric Vehicle Council (EVC). However, there is still a significant way to go before the country can fully decarbonize its transport sector. The EVC's annual State of Electric Vehicles Report, marking its 10th anniversary, reveals that EVs now account for one in four new cars being sold. Sales have more than doubled within a year, and for the first time last month, EVs outsold petrol and diesel cars.

Julie Delvecchio, CEO of the EVC, noted that EVs are increasingly being adopted as a way to cope with the cost of living. They are no longer a luxury item for the well-off, with some models now selling for under $20,000. The highest uptake of EVs is in suburban areas, such as Tarneit, located about 30 kilometers west of Melbourne.

"The sensible economic choice is to get into an EV," said Aman Gaur, Head of Legal, Policy, and Advocacy at the EVC. Australia now has access to nearly 200 electric models, and incentives like the fringe benefit tax exemption have contributed to the growing uptake. With almost 600,000 EVs currently on the road, the surge in sales is partly attributed to the surge in fuel prices, which have been pushed up by the conflict with Iran and subsequent disruption to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

Australia's dependence on imported diesel is another hurdle to overcome. The island nation relies on weeks' worth of fuel reserves and imports almost all of its fuel. The EVC report states that EVs deliver a permanent upgrade to energy security with every car plugged in instead of filling up with diesel. However, while 2026 could mark a turning point for passenger EVs, reaching Australia's climate targets requires a significant transformation of the national fleet.

Currently, EVs make up just 3% of the 21 million cars on Australian roads, while ICE vehicles dominate.

To meet emission reduction targets of 43% below 2005 levels by 2030 and 62-70% by 2035, Australia needs to maintain the momentum in EV adoption. However, there are challenges to be addressed, including the need for a coordinated charging infrastructure plan and financial incentives to encourage the adoption of electric trucks. Despite the growing number of electric models and supportive policies, Australia remains a global laggard in adopting electric trucks, with heavy vehicle rules posing complex challenges to reform.