According to the electric vehicle (EV) industry’s peak body sales of EVs in Australia tripled in 2019 despite a complete lack of government support.
The country’s network of electric vehicle charging stations was also growing, the Electric Vehicle Council’s (EVC) annual survey of the industry, the State of Electric Vehicles found, including a rise in the number of fast charging stations that let drivers recharge a car in about 15 minutes.
However, the report, released today, found the market share for electric vehicles was still only 0.6 per cent of new vehicle sales, well behind the 2.5 per cent to five per cent in other developed countries.
The report said Australia continues to lag comparable countries when it comes to electric vehicle market share, model availability, consumer awareness, industry development, and, critically, government support.
“It remains clear that if the Australian electric vehicle industry had comparable policy support to other countries, we would enjoy access to more low-cost electric vehicle models and greater consumer confidence in electric vehicles.
“Australia would also be capitalising on more opportunities to create jobs in the sector.
The chief executive of the council, Behyad Jafari, said the rise in sales was down to more models becoming available.
There are now 28 electric models on sale, with eight priced below $65,000.
Six more were due to arrive before the end of 2021, including two priced below $50,000, the council’s report said.
“Australian enthusiasm for electric vehicles is rising markedly despite the stubborn persistence of myths about range,” Mr Jafari said.
“The fact is that in 2020, for most Australians, an electric vehicle is a far more convenient option to run than a combustion engine alternative, even if you hit the highway regularly.
“The average electric car for sale on our market today can now take you more than 400 kilometres on a single charge.
“And because you can charge it at home overnight, it’s much easier to keep topped up than a conventional vehicle.”
“Australian enthusiasm for electric vehicles is rising markedly despite the stubborn persistence of myths about range,” Mr Jafari said.
Mr Jafari is reported to have told Guardian Australia: “A big challenge for Australia is that every other developed country has vehicle standards and EV policies in place.
“We have repeatedly heard from car companies that they were planning to bring vehicles here, but Australia doesn’t have that policy support.”
The conservative Liberal-National federal government promised a national electric vehicle strategy would be finalised by the middle of this year, but the policy has been delayed.
During election campaigning last year the prime minister, Scott Morrison, somewhat ridiculed the industry when he accused the opposition Labor Party of wanting to “end the weekend” and force people out of four-wheel drives, after it proposed a target of 50 per cent of new car sales being electric by 2030.
Mr Jafari cited the Kia e-Niro, an award-winning electric SUV that was being prepared for an Australian launch, but is now reportedly on hold because the manufacturer favoured shipping to countries with emissions standards.
The council’s members include BMW, Nissan, Hyundai and Harley Davidson, as well as energy, technology and charging infrastructure companies.
Sales of electric vehicles, which include plug-in hybrids, went from 2216 in 2018 to 6718 in 2019, the report said.
Mr Jafari said about 80 per cent of those sales were all-electric vehicles.
There have been 3226 electric vehicles sold in 2020, the report said, despite an overall drop of 20 per cent in vehicle sales due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The State of Electric Vehicles 2020 report also features, for the first time, a grading of Australian governments based on the policy work they have done to support the transition to electric vehicles, including investing in EV charging networks, home charging installation subsidies, and creating EV sales targets.
The research reveals plenty of room to improve with New South Wales and Queensland both scoring a C; Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania receiving a D; and West Australia, the Northern Territory, and the federal Liberal-National government each receiving an F.
Only the Australian Capital Territory scored a decent mark of a B, with EV tax incentives and a government fleet EV target introduced.
“Despite the healthy enthusiasm for electric vehicles from the public, Australia’s governments are still badly lagging the world when it comes to supportive policy,” Mr Jafari said.
“The United States and Europe have shown us what works, all Australian leaders have to do now is join the party.
“The ACT is commendably leading the way, but we really need the larger jurisdictions to follow if we want the benefits EVs can deliver like cleaner and quieter cities, lower carbon emissions, and national fuel security.
“Our report shows how much latent potential is just waiting to be unleashed in Australia.
“Australian drivers are ready to embrace electric vehicles and release the myriad benefits of that transition, but they’re still waiting to get a clear green light from government.”
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One Response
As per usual government dictated to by the fossil fuel industry with political donations, jobs, junkets and board member stacking. At the peril of the planet and our economy.