There are a range of unique hurdles to EV adoption in Australia, from the lack of infrastructure in the form of public recharging stations to the limited range, higher initial price of the cars and a lack of government (at all levels) subsidies to help offset the cost.
The Australian Government has announced its National Electric Vehicle (EV) Strategy. The strategy paves the way for greater EV affordability, access to charging stations, and a massive reduction in emissions. Initiatives also focus on expanded EV availability and options for buyers.
Battery issues, climate control, and in-car electronics are among the biggest problems in electric vehicles. Electric car subscriptions allow you to test an EV before you buy, so you can check reliability first-hand.
Electric vehicle sales are spiking in Australia, albeit from a low base, and there's some real momentum building. September 2022 saw EVs hit nearly 8 per cent market share for the first time in a single month, while the federal government has now pledged to create a new National EV Strategy paper.
The Centre for Economic Development Australia, in its economic and policy outlook to be released on Friday, said the target of 3.8 million EVs on the road by 2030 would remain a pipe dream without greater policy work given there were only 83,000 at the end of last year.
Generally, electric vehicle batteries last 10-20 years, but some factors may reduce their lifespan. For instance, batteries may degrade faster in hotter climates as heat does not pair well with EVs.
Electric vehicle wait times in Australia can take months, if not years. Obviously, check online when you're making the purchase just how long the wait will be – this may involve needing to call the manufacturer or having to speak with customer support.
EV uptake overtakes 78,000 vehicles in Australia
That's out of a total of 88,878 vehicles. The heightened demand for EVs has meant that the total EV fleet from the data compiled by The Driven now sits at 78,479 battery electric vehicles, including 10,784 EVs sold in 2023 so far.
The average lifetime mileage of an ICE vehicle is about 133,000 miles. While experts estimate the average EV battery will last around 200,000 miles, some manufacturers already promise much more than that.
The new edition of the IEA's annual Global Electric Vehicle Outlook shows that more than 10 million electric cars were sold worldwide in 2022 and that sales are expected to grow by another 35% this year to reach 14 million.
The simple fact of that matter is that modern EVs hold their value far better, depreciating a lot less than modern petrol or diesel cars. Electric car depreciation may not be as scary as you think: On average, electric cars depreciate by up to 50% of their original value, after three years and 36,000 miles of driving.
While the world does have enough lithium to power the electric vehicle revolution, it's less a question of quantity, and more a question of accessibility. Earth has approximately 88 million tonnes of lithium, but only one-quarter is economically viable to mine as reserves.
Battery electric vehicles (BEVS) have a lot less moving parts than a petrol or diesel car. There is relatively little servicing and no expensive exhaust systems, starter motors, fuel injection systems, radiators and many other parts are not needed in an EV.
With the SA government scrapping the unpopular tax, Victoria is now the only state in Australia and possibly the only place in the world that actually taxes electric vehicles.
There are about 3,700 public chargers, at just over 2,100 locations, across Australia, according to an Electric Vehicle Council report published in October – a fraction of the number in many comparable countries. In Canada, drivers have access to more than 16,000 public chargers at about 7,000 locations.
Most manufacturers have a five to eight-year warranty on their battery. However, the current prediction is that an electric car battery will last from 10 – 20 years before they need to be replaced.
Lithium can be described as the non-renewable mineral that makes renewable energy possible - often touted as the next oil. Lithium extraction inevitably harms the soil and causes air contamination.
How Much Does an EV Battery Cost to Replace? EV battery replacements range from $5,000 to $20,000 based on the pack, size and manufacturer. If a battery is within its manufacturer warranty, typically 8 years and 100,000 miles, then you should get a replacement battery at no extra cost.
Electric vehicle sales are surging. Australian sales doubled in 2022 to 3.8% of all new vehicle purchases, and were up 780% in the first two months of 2023 compared to a year ago. In the United States, Europe and China, the market share of electric vehicles is much higher, helped by greater government support.
Norway is the country with the most electric car population.
According to Protocol, the ratio of electric cars to gas cars will gradually increase too: By 2025, electric vehicle sales could comprise up to 20% of new car sales. By 2030, electric vehicle sales could reach 40% of new car sales. By 2040, electric vehicle sales could account for nearly all new car sales.
S&P Global Mobility forecasts electric vehicle sales in the United States could reach 40 percent of total passenger car sales by 2030, and more optimistic projections foresee electric vehicle sales surpassing 50 percent by 2030.
Tesla order holders have had to wait up to 12 months to receive a Tesla Model 3. That's now changed with Tesla Model 3 inventory being available for immediate delivery to all states and territories. This means that Australia's best-selling EV, the Tesla Model 3 can be reserved and delivered in a couple of days.