A new report reveals that most Australian drivers of traditional petrol or diesel cars remain reluctant to move to electric or hybrid vehicles. According to the 2025 Mobility Index from mycar, only 23% of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle owners intend to make the switch with their next car purchase.
This marks a significant drop of 12 percentage points lower than in 2024, suggesting that fewer Australians are ready to embrace low-emission alternatives despite rising awareness.
The findings are based on a national survey of 2,020 motorists conducted by Lonergan Research on behalf of mycar. Participants were drawn from both metropolitan and regional areas, with nearly half stating they were the sole drivers of their vehicles.
One of the key reasons behind the hesitation is concern over the long-term cost of owning an electric vehicle. Around a quarter of drivers surveyed said they were wary of the longevity of EV batteries and the overall maintenance expenses. These concerns were stronger when compared with attitudes toward hybrid vehicles, which are seen as a more familiar or reliable option.
There’s also considerable scepticism around the second-hand EV market. Only 5% of combustion-engine drivers said they would consider buying a used EV, while nearly one-third voiced fears about possible hidden issues in pre-owned models.
Despite these doubts, the report also found a silver lining. Around 25% of ICE drivers said they would opt for a brand-new EV or hybrid model to access the latest technology and take advantage of longer manufacturer warranties. For mycar, this reflects a shift where confidence, rather than curiosity, is the key missing element in encouraging more Australians to make the change.
In terms of actual sales, EV uptake appears to have slightly declined. Between January and June 2025, Australians bought 624,130 new vehicles, of which 47,245 were electric, making up 7.6% of total deliveries. That’s a drop from the same period in 2024, when EVs represented 8.0% of new car sales with 50,905 units sold.
One major reason for this dip is a sharp decrease in deliveries from Tesla, which continues to lead the Australian EV market. The brand experienced a 38.8% fall in shipments in the first half of 2025, impacting overall EV market share.
On the other hand, hybrid vehicles have seen a strong boost in popularity. Sales in the first half of 2025 jumped by nearly 15% compared to the same period last year, reaching 93,746 units. This suggests that while full electrification remains a step too far for many drivers, hybrids offer a more acceptable middle ground.
The broader picture underscores just how embedded cars are in daily Australian life. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the average household owns 1.8 vehicles. Additionally, 52.5% of working Australians commute by car, highlighting the ongoing reliance on private transport and the challenge of shifting towards cleaner alternatives.
As more hybrid options enter the market and infrastructure for EVs gradually improves, sentiment may begin to shift again. But for now, the transition away from traditional combustion vehicles appears slower than many had anticipated. For uptake to increase meaningfully, both greater public trust and better support systems—such as servicing, charging infrastructure, and affordability—will be essential.
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